“It is vital to ensure we have reliable equipment to not only support our flight operations but also to respond to any incidents at the airport and we are delighted to be putting this new ARFF vehicle into service.”
– Charity Zich, Airport Director.
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport recently received a new 2024 Oshkosh Striker Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle. This is the airport’s latest update to its public safety equipment and one of the final steps in eliminating the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) mandated firefighting foam containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). All airports with scheduled air service are required by the FAA to have ARFF capabilities during flight operations to ensure timely response to potential incidents. This new ARFF vehicle will ensure the airport can meet FAA requirements for years to come.
The new 2024 Oshkosh Striker was purchased with funds from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which was primarily funded by aviation user fees. The new Striker replaces a previous 2005 Oshkosh ARFF response vehicle as the primary response vehicle. The older vehicle will be retained as a backup to ensure equipment issues do not result in reduced operational capabilities and/or loss of flights. The new Striker can carry 1,500 gallons of water, which can be dispensed via either a bumper or rooftop tower.
“Air service is important to our community and our operations here at the airport,” said Charity Zich, airport director. “It is critical that we have reliable equipment to not only support our flight operations, but also to respond to any incidents at the airport, and we are excited to put this new ARFF vehicle into service.”
The 2024 Striker ARFF vehicle is equipped with a new type of firefighting foam that was recently approved by the FAA for use on aircraft fires. Fluorine-free foam (F3) does not contain intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” The transition to F3 foam is the final step in CVRA’s efforts to reduce and eliminate AFFF use at the airport. When the new ARFF truck is in service, the replacement vehicle will be cleaned so that truck can transition to the F3 firefighting foam and any remaining AFFF will be removed from the airport.
