The Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Division/Air Field Maintenance workers at Billings Logan International Airport recently completed a round of medical training that’s mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The ARFF responds to about 50 emergency assistance calls at the airport every year.
The calls may not be a daily occurrence, but the crew needs to make sure they’re ready to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice.
“When we get an actual event, our prep training gives us skills, so we already know what we need to do. It’s just automatic,” explained Ryan Holloway, lead medical instructor.
Staffed 24/7, the Airport Operations team is called on for aircraft and airport-related emergencies, runway snow and ice removal during the winter, medical emergencies, airfield maintenance, and more.
In 2022, the division had 76 aircraft responses, and 22 "other" responses, which included incidents like building alarms, fuel spills, etc.
Following FAA regulations, medical refresher courses are conducted twice a year, once in the winter and again in the summer.
During the most recent training, crew members went through several hands-on scenarios that incorporated data from previous calls to simulate real-life events.
From a patient with low blood sugar to assembling equipment that would be needed in a mass-casualty incident, preparation is key for all airport employees.