# NASA Ames Fire Department Conducts Specialized Aircraft Firefighting Drills
The fire department at NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley will execute intensive aircraft firefighting training exercises from September 8 through September 11 at Moffett Federal Airfield. The four-day operation runs continuously from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time each day.
Firefighters will deploy a propane-fueled aircraft fire simulator to practice emergency response protocols. This specialized equipment allows personnel to train for high-consequence scenarios without exposing them to actual aviation fuel fires or operational aircraft.
Moffett Federal Airfield, located in Mountain View, California, serves as the primary aeronautical facility for NASA Ames Research Center. The airfield handles a variety of research aircraft and provides infrastructure critical to atmospheric science, aeronautics testing, and rotorcraft development programs. Training exercises at the site require coordination between NASA fire services and airfield operations to ensure safety protocols remain in effect.
Aircraft fire response demands distinct skillsets from ground-based firefighting. Jet fuel fires burn at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and spread rapidly across hard surfaces. Suppression requires specialized equipment including aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) and halogenated extinguishing agents. Personnel must master rapid approach procedures, nozzle techniques, and crew coordination under conditions of extreme heat and visibility constraints.
NASA Ames maintains its own professional fire department to protect research facilities, personnel, and aircraft throughout the center. The department responds to structure fires, wildland fires, hazardous material incidents, and aviation emergencies. Regular training maintains readiness for low-probability, high-consequence events that could occur during aircraft operations or test activities.
The propane-fueled simulator creates controlled fire scenarios that replicate aircraft fire conditions. Trainees practice attack positions, foam application patterns, and team coordination. Simulators allow repeated training cycles without consuming actual aircraft and enable instructors to pause exercises for real-time feedback and correction.
Propane simulators offer advantages over live jet fuel burns. They generate comparable flame geometry and thermal conditions while eliminating fuel contamination concerns and reducing environmental impact. Training personnel can experience realistic fire behavior, heat stress, and sensory overload in a repeatable, safer environment.
NASA Ames Research Center, established in 1939, operates as a major research installation for aeronautics, space exploration technology, and life sciences. The center employs over 2,000 civil service workers and contractors. Emergency preparedness across all NASA facilities follows federal and state regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and California's Cal/OSHA program.
Similar training programs operate at other NASA centers including Kennedy Space Center in Florida and Johnson Space Center in Texas. Standardized training protocols ensure consistent response capabilities across the agency's geographically dispersed facilities.
The four-day training block demonstrates NASA's commitment to maintaining emergency response readiness. Scheduled training during off-peak airfield hours minimizes disruption to ongoing research activities while providing firefighters extended practice time. Continuous operation from morning through evening allows for scenario rotation and multiple training cycles per day.