Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has celebrated the opening of its brand-new East Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station.
Forming part of more than 130 million USD invested into next-generation ARFF response infrastructure through the airport’s capital improvement plan, DFW Forward, the facility replaces a set of two fire stations that have been serving the airport since it opened over 50 years ago.
The 130 million USD ARFF modernisation programme aims to consolidate four existing stations into two centralised east and west facilities in a bid to improve response coverage, resiliency and operational efficiency, with the West station expected to open later this year.
Delivered through a design-build partnership led by JE Dunn Construction and PGAL; the programme is being supported by over 75 million USD in federal funding secured over multiple years through the FAA Airport Improvement Program and additional federal support.
In order to maximise response coverage and positioning across the airfield, the new station includes 10 apparatus bays with high-speed, multi-fold doors, enabling the simultaneous deployment of multiple ARFF vehicles. It also includes 21 dorm rooms, dedicated training and fitness space, and specialized support areas for hazardous materials, decontamination and equipment storage.
The station is one of several recent investments looking to strengthen safety and security across the airport, with DFW having recently purchased a fleet of hybrid ARFF vehicles from Oshkosh.
Additionally, the airport has also unveiled its new Mobile Command Post, a 40-foot, fully integrated unit that utilises advanced cameras, satellite connectivity and multi-agency radio interoperability to allow teams to manage incidents in real time from anywhere on or around the airfield.
The vehicle, which has been valued at 3 million USD, has been designed and constructed to operate independently for approximately two days, and will be used to enhance coordination between airport operations, first responders and regional partners.
Vernon Evans, Chair of the DFW Airport Board of Directors, said:DFW serves as the global gateway and economic engine for North Texas, and the completion of this project celebrates DFW’s commitment to our long-term vision for growth, while ensuring we maintain the highest standards of safety for our customers, employees, and community.
