CHAIR MESSAGE
I’m excited to be moving into warmer weather! For those of you who traveled for spring break I hope you enjoyed your time with family and friends. We continue working on several projects such as the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Working Group (ARFFWG) store-front for apparel, our new ARFFWG platform through GrowthZone, and of course, the 35th Annual International Education Symposium. We recently held the second ARFF Summit at FDIC on April 8-9, 2025. We had an excellent turnout with 95 attendees from six countries representing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Index A to Index E and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) categories 1 through 10. I want to thank the vendors who were there to help make this happen. A special thanks to Section 13 Director Scott Beecher, Section 14 Director Justin Barnes, Former Chairman Jason Schnase, and the project manager for the summit, Section 6 Director Gina Gonzales. I appreciate all of your time, effort, and dedication in making this a great success! Mark your calendars for the 35 th Annual International Education Symposium, which will take place recognize our fellow members by nominating them for ARFFWG awards. We have several awards to nominate members for, such as the Heroism Award, Merit Award, Certificate of Commendation, Certificate of Appreciation, Karl Beeman Certificate of Technical Achievement, Certificate of Journalist Excellence, Brian Pugh Outstanding ARFF Training Award, and the Legend Award. Please continue thinking about who you will be nominating. More information on the symposium and awards will be forthcoming. For those of you who are interested in being more involved with the ARFFWG, I would highly recommend you run for one of the Section Director positions. This year, we have the odd-numbered sections open for Sections 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15. To learn more about what the position entails, go to https://irp.cdn-website. com/7952283b/files/uploaded/SOG-SECTION-DIRECTOR.pdf. The Section Director nomination form will be posted in the near future. September 22-25, 2025, in Uncasville, Connecticut, at the Mohegan Sun. Each year, we Don’t forget about the educational opportunities we have. As you may know, we are now a Columbia Southern University Learning Partner, which means a 10% tuition discount to our ARFFWG members, an application fee waiver ($25 value), and all of their classes are online. Additionally, we have another opportunity. It is with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Working Group (ARFFWG), collectively known as the ARFF Training Alliance. Through the alliance, a two-level ARFF Professional Designation Program is offered. It is designed to enhance the knowledge and career ambitions of Aircraft Rescue Fighters regardless of rank. These designation programs, known as the Airport Master Firefighter (AMF) and Airport Fire Officer (AFO), are self-study programs structured to provide ARFF personnel with an enhanced knowledge of ARFF operations as well as airport operations and administration. Thank you for your continued support of the ARFF Working Group! Take care and be safe! Tony
Tony Gutierrez Chairman
ARFF NEWS TEAM
PUBLISHER Detric Stanciel
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rene Herron EDITORIAL BOARD Ted Costa Gina Gonzales Elizabeth Hendel
Larry Lippel Matt Mauer Tom Wagner
COLUMNISTS Bruce Bjorge Phil DiMaria Randy Krause Jack Kreckie Charles Lavene Derek McCarthy John McLoughlin
Tom Wagner Tracy Young
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Scott Beecher Tony Gutierrez Ron Krusleski Larry Lippel Jason Schnase VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.arffwg.org ARFF News Digital Publication
ARFF NEWS | MAY- JUNE 2025 3
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