The Jean Lesage International Airport relies on a highly qualified team of sixteen firefighters, four captains, and one department Manager. The department comprises four 5-person teams and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The department is equipped with the following specialized vehicles:
- One 7,550-liter Waltek truck;
- Two 5,500-liter Waltek trucks;
- A multipurpose vehicle used as a command post and to transport equipment for gas spills and medical kits with cardiac defibrillators;
- A spill van with recovery equipment that is transported to major spill sites when necessary;
- A van used to transport stretchers and other first-aid equipment to accident sites.
Fire department personnel must comply with Transport Canada’s standards with regard to training, response, and annual aircraft firefighting drills.
They are also trained to fight building fires and as first medical responders.
Other departmental tasks include
- Fire prevention
- Automatic sprinkler inspection
- Fire extinguisher inspection
- Issuance of hot work permits
- Wildlife hazard management
- Visual runway inspection
- Emergency and evacuation plan management
In addition to responding to aircraft emergencies, the department’s firefighters act as first responders for airport building fires, first-aid calls, fuel spills, vehicle accidents, and any other emergency occurring on airport property.
