Improving Firefighting Skills for Efficient Use of Environment Friendly Extinguishing Foam Agents

The main project objective was to improve professional skills of airport firefighters using digitalized approach for reaching the newest ecological standards imposed by the EU Directive regarding ...

The main project objective was to improve professional skills of airport firefighters using digitalized approach for reaching the newest ecological standards imposed by the EU Directive regarding the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, which will need to be replaced with eco-friendly non-fluorine foam agents. Due to their specifics, using new foam agents increases the need for practical training of firefighters since the new agents are more complex. As the same level of operational preparedness can be achieved with partly digitalized processes using the simulator, we wanted to test such approach, which can reduce the quantity of live practical foam training, and consequently contribute to diminishing negative environmental effects, while still providing high level of training for the airport firefighters. We also wanted to develop new operational and training procedures that would be in line with the EU directive.

Within the project we developed procedures and training programme for the use of new environment friendly extinguishing foam agent, and we implemented the pilot training. Firsts, we prepared detailed analysis of the EU Directive (EU/2020/784) with the focus on requirements for the future usage of extinguishing agents in firefighting. Then we prepared the guidelines for new training procedures in respect to the new regulations. The guidelines outline the necessary approaches and steps needed in the training of firefighters to fulfil minimum requirements for reaching adequate professional skills, and explanation of new eco-friendly extinguishing agents. The Guidelines were the bases for the development of the training programme for airport firefighters, which include general formative goals for the theoretical and practical training, including the digitalized training on 3D virtual tactical driving simulator. Finally, the pilot training was implemented, involving participants from both partner organisations.

The outputs of the project are: • Guidelines for new training procedures of airport firefighters using eco-friendly extinguishing foam agents, • Training programme with digitalized approach for airport firefighters based on new environmental directive and • Pilot implementation and evaluation of digitally supported training programme. Main project results are improved professional skills of airport firefighters as well as more environment friendly response at aircraft fires with modern and environment friendly approach. By introducing digitally supported firefighting training, the project has also contributed to improved digital capacity of partner organizations and their staff, to environment protection and to innovative practices in vocational education and training.