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How to Become an Airport Firefighter

First responders serve a vital role in facility and tenant safety.

John McDermott

Thursday, July 02, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

Airport firefighting is a highly specialized operation that requires special training. [ Credit: Michael Schwarzenberger/ Pixabay]

Key Takeaways:

Firefighters play a critical role in maintaining the safety of an airport and its tenants.

They respond to aircraft emergencies to ensure passengers stay safe, and they can respond to medical emergencies across the airport.

John McDermott

John McDermott is a student at Northwestern University. He is also a student pilot with hopes of flying for the airlines. A self-proclaimed ""avgeek,"" John will rave about aviation at length to whoever will listen, and he is keen to call out any airplane he sees, whether or not anyone around him cares about flying at all. John previously worked as a Journalist and Editor-In-Chief at Aeronautics Online Aviation News and Media. In his spare time, John enjoys running, photography, and watching planes approach Chicago O'Hare from over Lake Michigan.