East Midlands Airport has introduced a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) telemetry system for its airport firefighters, becoming the first airport on the UK mainland to deploy the technology as part of its emergency response capability.
The new system, supplied by Dräger, enables the airport’s Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) to remotely monitor the status and wellbeing of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus during incidents.
Enhanced firefighter safety
East Midlands Airport serves more than four million passengers each year and is also the UK’s busiest dedicated air freight hub.
The airport’s RFFS is responsible for responding to aircraft incidents, medical emergencies, fuel spills, gas incidents and fires across the airport estate. It is also adapting its operational capabilities to address emerging risks, including lithium ion battery fires involving electric service vehicles.
To support these responsibilities, the airport has equipped firefighters with Dräger PSS AirBoss Connect SCBA sets and telemetry enabled Entry Control Boards.
Real time monitoring
The telemetry system provides continuous real time information on each firefighter’s breathing apparatus, including cylinder pressure and remaining air supply, using a dedicated radio link between the SCBA set and the Entry Control Board.
When firefighters enter an incident wearing breathing apparatus, they are automatically connected to the Entry Control Board, providing entry control operatives and incident commanders with an immediate overview of crew status.
The system is intended to reduce manual monitoring while supporting faster operational decision making during time critical incidents.
Equipment upgrade
The airport selected the new equipment following an evaluation of several products. According to East Midlands Airport, the lightweight design, ease of use and rapid donning capability of the PSS AirBoss system met its operational requirements.
The SCBA also features low absorbent harness materials designed to reduce contamination and is fully machine washable, helping to minimise equipment downtime and improve operational resilience.
The introduction of the telemetry system marks a significant development in firefighter safety capability for East Midlands Airport’s Rescue and Fire Fighting Service.
Jez Paget, Station Manager at East Midlands Airport, said: “We’ve been very pleased with how straightforward the technology is to use, making both training and day-to-day operations simple and efficient while still delivering the advanced functionality we need. The entry control board in particular is quick and intuitive to use, which is critical in a fast-paced airport environment, helping firefighters stay focused on the operational response rather than manually monitoring their air status.”
Elizabeth Milward, Marketing Manager Emergency and Rescue Services at Draeger Safety UK said: “East Midlands Airport has taken an important step forward by becoming the first mainland airport in the UK to introduce telemetry into its firefighting operations. The unique challenges faced by airport firefighters require technology that is simple to use, supports rapid deployment and strengthens situational awareness, helping crews and commanders respond with greater confidence in time-critical environments.”
