CPA seeks FAA funding for regional fire fighting training facility on Saipan

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is seeking $3.273 million in total funding from the Federal Aviation Administration for the construction of the regional Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Training Facility on Saipan.

The improvement project, according to Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos H. Salas, needs the allocation of federal funds to cover both the soft and hard costs for the construction of the training facility.

The proposed facility, which will be housed at the Saipan International Airport, includes a live-fire training center for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting personnel complete with 152 diameter burning pit, control center and fuel and water storage tanks.

At present, the closest training facility available is in Hawaii and California. CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios said it is very costly to be sending ARFF personnel to the mainland United States for annual training.

Mr. Palacios said the Northern Marianas College, which currently offers a Fire Science Associates Degree program, has agreed to expand its academic curriculum, certification and instructors to be provided at the ARFF training facility.

FAA has recently chosen Saipan as site for the regional training facility. The U.S. Department of Transportation office in Honolulu has already pledged to provide training support once the facility is established in the Northern Marianas.

Plans to put up the regional facility on Saipan came following series of recognition given by FAA to the Commonwealth’s strong and extensive program for preparedness against airport accidents.

CPA’s aircraft rescue and fire fighting program has previously received recognition from the FAA and the State of Hawaii Airports Division during the Pacific Aviation Directors’ Workshop in Palau.

FAA especially recognized in beefing up the aviation body’s Western Pacific aircraft rescue and fire-fighting program.

CPA has vigorously sponsored workshop for regional participants and allowed its own ARFF chief Stanley Torres to conduct training seminars in Chuuk, Palau, Kosrae, Yap and Pohnpei.

FAA has been considering Saipan to be home to the regional training center for aircraft rescuers and airport firefighters. Mr. Salas said the proposal had been brought up since early last year.

The proposal to build a regional training facility on the island was conceived by Martinez Jacob, an officer of the Department of Transportation’s aircraft rescue office in the State of Hawaii.

Mr. Jacob, who is in charge of all the airport fire-fighting units in Hawaii, has recommended to the FAA to make Saipan the site for a regional aircraft rescue training facility, which will train firefighters from throughout the Micronesian islands.

The proposed facility will tap the services of local, Hawaii and Guam instructors. Aircraft rescue personnel from Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and Marshall Islands are expected to come over and participate in the program.