The airport fire service has 36 firefighters and 6 vehicles
including the new Panther.
Within this area you can find out about the Christchurch
International Airport Fire Service (AFS) including the
AFS fire fighter team today, the range of response vehicles
used, the call out log, as well as how to contact the
AFS.
Our History
The AFS was originally part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
(RNZAF), who from 1940-1945 operated the Christchurch airfield
formerly known as the RNZAF Station,
Harewood. After the war ended in 1945, administration of
the RNZAF Station and the AFS was handed over to the Canterbury
Aero Club, Wigram.
In 1947 the Civil Aviation branch of the Air Department took
over the responsibility of crash and fire assistance. In 1969
the Ministry of Transport then took over the control of the
AFS.
In 1986 Airways Corporation took over the AFS until 1 April
1988. Since 1988 the AFS became a separate entity and is
today owned and managed by Christchurch International Airport
Limited.
Fire safety today at Christchurch International Airport
Christchurch International Airport is a category 8 airfield
which is a classification given by the International Civil Aviation
Organisation. An AFS that is responsible for a category 8
airfield must be trained and equipped to meet certain
criteria. Christchurch Airports' AFS must have 3 vehicles
discharging 120 litres a second, carry 18,300 litres of water for
foam production and hold 450kg complementary agent. The
AFS must also have available 200% more of reserve foam
stocks. The AFS must also be able to respond to any point on
the airfield within 3 minutes from initiation from Air Traffic
Control.
If you would like to contact the Airport Fire service, please
use the details below.