The Municipal Airport Authority recently took delivery of two state-of-the-art airport rescue fire fighting (ARFF) trucks. The two trucks will be utilized by the newly formed airport fire department that is transitioning from the North Dakota Air National Guard to the Airport Authority.

Aircraft fire fighting services have been performed by the North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG) since the early 1970’s.  This great relationship is coming to an end as the NDANG no longer has a manned flying mission.  Their flying mission ended in 2013 when the C-21 and previously the F-16 aircraft were reassigned.  Currently, the NDANG flies unmanned aircraft which do not require military ARFF protection.

The two trucks recently delivered are Oshkosh Global Strikers built by the Oshkosh Truck Corporation in Appleton, Wisconsin.  The first truck, a Global Striker 3000, is capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of water, 420 gallons of AFFF (foam) and 500 pounds of dry chem.  This truck is also equipped with a Snozzle, which is a high-reach turret (HRET) capable of spraying water, foam, and dry chem.  It is also capable of penetrating an aircraft fuselage to extinguish an internal fire.

 The Global Striker 3000 is equipped with a 700HP engine and a 2,000 gallon per minute water pump. The truck can discharge 1,000 gallons of water per minute up to 300 feet from the high reach roof turret and 300 gallons of water per minute up to 225 feet from the front turret.  The truck accelerates from 0-50 in 25 seconds and has a top speed of 75 miles per hour. The truck with all the accessories cost slightly over $1million.

The second truck, a Global Striker 1500, is similar but it carries 1,500 gallons of water, 210 gallons of AFFF (foam) and the same amount of dry chem.  This truck does not have a HRET but does have a roof turret.  This truck is also equipped with a 2,000 gallon per minute water pump and is capable of discharging 750 gallons of water per minute from the low-attack bumper turret and 300 gallons of water per minute from the roof turret.  This truck and accessories cost around $800,000.

 The newly established airport fire department will remain in the same location as it is currently. The NDANG constructed the new fire station 3 years ago on the east side of the airport.  The highly experienced new fire crew will consist of 10 members, all former NDANG staff.  The fire station staffing will transition from the NDANG to the Municipal Airport Authority on October 1, 2014.

 The new fire trucks were funded by the Municipal Airport Authority.