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.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08943 — Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2026-11875 — Petition for Exemption; Summary of Petition Received; NetJets Aviation, Inc.
NetJets Aviation, a big private jet company, asked the FAA to let them skip some usual flight rules. This could change how they operate their planes, and the public has until July 2, 2026, to share their thoughts. No money changes are mentioned yet, but this could speed up or simplify some flights for NetJets.
2026-11861 — Establishment of Class E Airspace; Freer, TX
The FAA is creating new Class E airspace around Silverhorn Ranch Airport in Freer, TX, to support safer flying with new instrument flight rules. This change starts on October 29, 2026, and mainly affects pilots flying in and out of this airport. No extra costs for the public, just smoother and safer skies for everyone!
2026-11904 — Establishment of Class E Airspace; Mullin, TX
The FAA is creating new Class E airspace around Smoky Bend Ranch Airport in Mullin, TX to help pilots fly safely using instruments, especially in bad weather. This change starts on October 29, 2026, and mainly affects pilots flying under instrument flight rules (IFR). No extra costs for the public, just smoother and safer skies for everyone!
2026-11792 — Modification of Class E Airspace, Omak Airport, Omak, WA
The FAA is changing the Class E airspace around Omak Airport in Washington to make flying safer and smoother for pilots using instruments. This update starts on September 3, 2026, and mainly affects pilots flying under instrument flight rules (IFR). No extra costs for the public, just better airspace management to keep flights on track!
2026-11730 — Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
Starting June 11, 2026, the FAA is updating how pilots approach and take off from certain airports to keep flights safe and smooth. These changes affect pilots and airports by adjusting flight paths and safety rules based on new tech and obstacles. No big costs here—just smarter, safer skies for everyone flying under instrument rules!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21754 — Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting
The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Board of Visitors is holding a virtual meeting on December 8, 2025, to discuss important updates about the Academy’s programs, morale, and budget. This meeting affects cadets, staff, and anyone interested in the Academy’s future. While the public can watch online, they won’t be able to speak or ask questions during the meeting.
Next: 2025-21756 — Yuba County Water Agency; Notice of Revised Procedural Schedule for Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Project Relicense
The Yuba County Water Agency is working on renewing the license for their Narrows Hydroelectric Project on the Yuba River. The environmental review that was supposed to finish in November 2025 is now pushed back to May 2026, giving staff more time to carefully check everything. This delay affects local communities and stakeholders waiting to see how the project might impact the environment and water use.