Shortfalls in Airport Firefighting Regulations can Increase Risk for Air Travelers
UCTE: Aviation regulations should be raised to international standards
for release 10:45 a.m. November 5, 2024
New research shows how Canada is not meeting its domestic or international requirements under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), says the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE). UCTE represents firefighters at sixteen of Canada’s airports.
Media conference November 5, 2024
Today, the UCTE released an independent analysis of Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) services in Canada.
“Our concern is that our civil aviation system could be safer, and should meet our international commitments,” said Barry Tchir, UCTE Pacific Regional Vice President. “The ICAO requires states to be more transparent about compliance. Passengers and international carriers should know that there is urgent work to be done to improve passenger safety.”
Major findings of the report “ARFF Services in Canada” include the following:
- Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) are not in alignment with 73% of ICAO rules and regulations governing airports.
- Canada is not publishing where and how it is not in alignment with ICAO, as required.
- Canada is not providing the level of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting at all of Canada’s airports required under ICAO standards.
- Canadian Aviation Regulations do not specify rescue service in the mandate of ARFF Services, although ICAO Regulations explicitly require it.
Jeremy McNulty is a Firefighter at Vancouver International Airport: “Firefighters accept risks to ourselves when we go into an emergency situation, and our mandate should match our mission: to do everything we can to minimize risk for travelers. Unfortunately, the amount of help that’s available is not the same level as what most travelers are probably expecting. People would probably be surprised. I never want to see anybody experience that surprise.”
“Today we are calling on the Canadian government to come clean,” said Tchir. “First of all, we want them to meet the requirement to publish the areas where they are not in alignment with ICAO. We also want them to acknowledge the deficiencies and work with us and the airport firefighters to improve safety for air travelers in Canada.”
The union is working to raise this issue with the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
“Passengers need to know that everything that can be done is being done to minimize their risk in extreme situations,” says Tchir. “Sometimes it’s up to the workers to hold the government to its commitments.”
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The review was prepared by QualaTech Aero Consulting, a highly respected international aviation consultancy that is recognized by Transport Canada as an “Industry Champion.”
The report “ARFF Services in Canada” is available at <https://unioncte.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UCTE-The-Analysis-–-ARFF-Services-in-Canada-EN-FINAL-Lowres-1-1.pdf>
For more information or to connect with a spokesperson:
Kevin Matthews
613-850-8764
Communication Officer, UCTE