FAA Launches Survey on Airport Rescue Firefighting Staffing
Published Date: 12/2/2025
Notice
Summary
The FAA is asking for public feedback on a new survey to check how well airports are staffed with rescue and firefighting teams. This survey will cover 518 airports and help make sure they meet safety rules from a recent law. Comments are due by February 2, 2026, and the info collected will guide future safety improvements without costing airports extra money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
EMT Certification Mandate for Hub Airports
Section 769(a) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 instructs the FAA to update 14 CFR 139.319 so that at least one individual at a small, medium, or large hub airport maintains certification at the emergency medical technician (EMT) basic level or higher. This directs a future regulatory change focused specifically on small, medium, and large hub airports. The update will be reflected in a forthcoming rulemaking process.
FAA ARFF Staffing Survey: 518 Airports
The FAA will send a questionnaire once to approximately 518 certificated Part 139 airports to establish a baseline of Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) resources and staffing. Each response is estimated to take about 3 hours and the total estimated annual burden is 1,554 hours; public comments on the information collection are due by February 2, 2026. The survey will help the FAA conduct a staffing review and support an upcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking about EMT certification.
Statutory Review of ARFF Staffing Levels
Section 769(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 requires the FAA to review airport environments and related regulations to evaluate sufficient staffing levels for firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services at airports certificated under part 139. The review is intended to assess current staffing sufficiency and inform potential regulatory changes. The agency will use information collection and analysis as part of that evaluation.
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