[Peetwo]

ARFFS to be separately regulated? - Another Part 139 clusterduck...    

Via Oz Flying:

CASA to create Stand-alone ARFFS Regulations

14 July 2023



CASA yesterday launched community consultation on aerodrome rescue and firefighting services (ARFFS), proposing to make 24 changes to current rules and creating a separate regulation.

Following policy considerations from a technical working group (TWG), CASA says that it intends to create CASR Part 176, breaking out the ARFFS ruleset from CASR Part 139.

According to CASA, new regulations will cover establishing, functions and modernisation of ARFFS whilst removing some prescriptive standards.

CASA has stated that the intent of the changes is to align Australian practices with ICAO standards and practices (SARPS) and better define the roles, functions, responsibilities, requirements and locations of ARFFS in Australia.

"The proposed new ARFFS ruleset will be comprised of the CASR Part 176 regulation and Part 176 Manual of Standards (MOS)," CASA states, "and will apply to:

• existing and prospective ARFFS providers
  
• accredited ARFFS training providers
  
• aerodrome operators.
  

"The proposed changes also have relevance to State and Territory fire authorities due to clarification of ARFFS functions, providing greater clarity about the delineation of the ARFFS provider and State and Territory fire authorities’ roles."

CASR Part 139 Subpart H currently requires ARFFS to be established at any airport that has had passenger movements of 350,000 in a preceding year, or any airport that has an international passenger service regardless of movements.

Airservices Australia currently provides ARFFS at 27 airports, operating a fleet of 100 fire and rescue vehicles.

The proposed changes and consultation papers are on the CASA consultation hub website.

Via Su_Spence HQ:

Overview

CASA is seeking feedback on our proposal for the creation and implementation of CASR Part 176 - regulation of aerodrome rescue and firefighting services (ARFFS).

The policy proposal includes the transition of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) Subpart 139.H ruleset to Part 176 of CASR as a standalone ARFFS regulation suite.

CASA's review of the Subpart 139.H ruleset considered the recommendations of reviews by:

• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the Department) (2015-2016)
  
• Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee (2018-2019).
  

The proposal aims to modernise the ARFFS ruleset with an increased focus on performance-based approaches.

The areas of policy change are:

• functions of ARFFS
  
• ARFFS establishment criteria
  
• ARFFS establishment requirements
  
• graduated ARFFS
  
• removal of prescriptive regulatory requirements
  
• modernisation of ARFFS standards.
  

The proposed changes intend to provide:

• better alignment of safety regulations governing ARFFS with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices (SARPS) and guidance material
  
• a clearer definition of the role and functions of ARFFS, to ensure ARFFS providers can perform their core functions and prioritise non-aviation requests
  
• defined aerodrome responsibilities in the establishment and provision of ARFFS
  
• clearer ARFFS establishment/disestablishment requirements and timeframes
  
• location specific ARFFS resource (staffing and equipment) and training requirements, based on aircraft operations and aerodrome factors, providing a stronger safety focus.
  

CASA is proposing 24 changes in total including amendments and additions to the current ARFFS ruleset.

The proposal also considers contemporary ICAO SARPS and guidance material to proposed regulatory amendments which ensure ARFFS can adopt to modern, performance-based approaches in the performance of their functions.

A Technical Working Group appointed by the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel has considered policy options and provided relevant technical expertise and industry sector insight for this proposal.

Hmm...any bets on how long Dr A will string out writing that ruleset?? 

MTF...P2