The Fort Smith Airport Commission
will have a study session and special meeting 11:30 a.m. Monday to
discuss manning of the aircraft rescue and firefighting services.
With the change in mission of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing
from manned to unmanned aircraft overseas, the need for the unit’s
firefighting trucks and staff has been dissolved. An agreement is in the
works for the airport to use the trucks, but manning them is another
issue.
The meeting will be held in the Commission Room of the administration office on the second floor of the Fort Smith Regional Airport terminal building, 6700 McKennon Blvd.
“I’ve
been made aware the agreement is in Air Force legal for their review
and we should be able to see it for our comment and review and be able
to send back our concerns,” Airport Director John Parker said Tuesday at
a monthly commission meeting. “So that process is continuing for the use of the building and the ARFF vehicles, two big trucks.”
At
Monday’s study session, the commission will discuss whether to use
contract personnel or establish a fire department staff and operate with
their own employees, Parker said.
The issue needs to be resolved
by August for a smooth transition period in September, Parker adds. The
guard makes its official change on Oct. 1.
Michael Griffin,
airport director of operations, recently attended the American
Association of Airport Executives conference and exposition in San
Antonio to speak with contract vendors specializing in firefighting
services.
“If we can establish the direction we want to go, then
we can start the process of advertising for either employees or contract
services,” Parker said. “But we need to start that process soon.”
- See more at: http://swtimes.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment