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AIM

4/20/23

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Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications

Section 5. Aircraft Rescue and

Fire Fighting Communications

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1. Discrete Emergency Frequency

a.

Direct contact between an emergency aircraft flight crew, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Incident

Commander (ARFF IC), and the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), is possible on an aeronautical radio
frequency (Discrete Emergency Frequency [DEF]), designated by Air Traffic Control (ATC) from the
operational frequencies assigned to that facility.

b.

Emergency aircraft at airports without an ATCT, (or when the ATCT is closed), may contact the ARFF IC

(if ARFF service is provided), on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency 

(CTAF)

 published for the airport

or the civil emergency frequency 

121.5 MHz.

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2. Radio Call Signs

Preferred radio call sign for the ARFF IC is “(location/facility) 

Command

” when communicating with the flight

crew and the FAA ATCT.

EXAMPLE

LAX Command.
Washington Command.

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3. ARFF Emergency Hand Signals

In the event that electronic communications cannot be maintained between the ARFF IC and the flight crew,
standard emergency hand signals as depicted in

 

FIG 6

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should be used. These hand

signals should be known and understood by all cockpit and cabin aircrew, and all ARFF firefighters.

FIG 6

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Recommend Evacuation