Today we salute our airport firefighter members—and all firefighters. Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) is a key part of operations at airports, among the many workers behind the scenes who ensure our safety and security when we travel. We won’t likely see them when things go well, but we are all grateful for their service.
Firefighters assume tremendous risks to themselves in favour of the safety of others—that’s the heart of what they do. But they also do a lot of teaching work with the public on fire prevention, and our ARFF members are diligent in training and finding ways to improve safety at airports.
Naturally, their role is very visible and widely admired. But they pay a price: Apart from the more obvious risks to their safety, they have much higher risks of cancer than most of us from exposure to various carcinogens.
Sound Off
At noon today, fire sirens will sound for 30 seconds followed by one minute of silence in memory of firefighters lost in the line of duty.
Learn more about International Firefighters Day: Sound Off – International Firefighters Day – 4th May
And more about some of our ARFF members:
- Profile: Alissa Firmston
- Profile: Leah Kosolofski
- Issue: National Framework on Cancers Linked to Firefighting
- Campaign: Airport Rescue and Firefighting: Better Regulation Will Save Lives
