As a general aviation reliever airport for the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the PDK Airport does not need to maintain a fire department or rescue services presence on the airport. Most general aviation airports have emergency response available; however the response comes from “off the airport”. But for many years now, the DeKalb County Fire-Rescue Services has maintained an actual physical presence on the airport at Station 15. Station 15 is located on Flightway Drive in what used to be the state’s GDOT aviation hangar. Today, Station 15 houses the office of the Battalion Chief; Engine 15, a structural fire response truck; an ambulance; and, our newest addition, a Rosenbauer Panther 4X4 Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF) fire truck.

The new Panther replaces the older and smaller Titan ARFF vehicle that had been in service at PDK for many years. “C-15” is the radio call for the new Panther, and here are some of the interesting statistics on the vehicle:

The truck has an off-road, high-mobility suspension system allowing it to respond to any location on and about the airport off the concrete or asphalt runways and taxiways. It also has a forward looking infrared (FLIR) interior monitor which allows the vehicle operator to traverse and find its way to any part of the airport under adverse weather conditions and darkness.

What is most important about an ARFF vehicle is that it acts as the primary, first-response vehicle carrying a full crew complement to fight an aircraft fire and rescue crewmembers and passengers alike. It carries 1,500 gallons of water which is mixed with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). The combination of water mixed w/AFFF fired from the bumper & roof turrets actually smothers an aircraft fuel fire. Finally, 500 pounds of what is called Purple 'K' or “PK” which is a dry chemical is also carried aboard the vehicle which smothers an aircraft fire similar to the AFFF. This is what is so very impressive about this new vehicle. It has the capability to respond to any incident with the firefighters, equipment, and on-board water and chemicals to attack a fire as soon as it arrives on scene. And, with its all-terrain capability and high horsepower engine, it arrives on-scene very, very quickly! And, last but not least, our airport firefighters train to the same response standards as is required of firefighters at the commercial service airports.

PDK Airport is very proud of this new piece of equipment, and we’re proud of our close, personal and professional working relationship with all the firefighters and rescue team members of Station 15.