Deputy Director of Port Administration, Christopher King, has responded to KHJ News’ report yesterday regarding the fire which occurred at the ASPA micro grid power plant in Ofu, Manu’a.
He says comments made about the lack of firefighting response not only unfairly singles out the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) operation; “but it recklessly infers that there is no ARFF services currently being provided at Ofu airport – this is unacceptable and false.”
King says he’s not too sure why ARFF is being singled out “when it is not (and cannot be) the designated first responder for fires outside of airport operations.”
“ARFF’s primary mission is clearly the airport/aircraft ops, and its services are meant to be a tertiary resource that may be deployed ONLY after its mandated obligations to the airport/aircraft are met. This applies to all airports.
“To expect ARFF to do otherwise leaves the airport(s) at risk.”
As KHJ News reported yesterday the account of the fire which we aired came from Manu’a Distirct No. 2 lawmaker Tioalii Sai who was one of the people who responded to and helped put out the fire.
In the report he pointed out that there was no fire truck stationed at the ARFF Building at Ofu Airport as the truck had been brought to Tutuila.
DPA Deputy Director King told KHJ News the ARFF truck has been been undergoing service and maintenance on Tutuila for the past four weeks.
DPA estimates an additional two weeks to complete the necessary work.
“BUT! This does not mean DPA abandoned Ofu airport leaving it unprotected and vulnerable by not providing ARFF services. If this was the case, Ofu airport would be non-compliant with federally mandated safety regulations and would have to be closed to flight operations until remedied. Just the opposite – Ofu airport is open and functional,” he declared.
“Contrary to the comments in the news report, Ofu Airport does have ARFF capabilities despite the ARFF truck being in Pago.
“Our Ofu ARFF operations have been utilizing the FAA approved alternate plan of having flight-line appropriate halon extinguishers (which are secured to our maintenance truck and driven by our ARFF firefighters) pre-positioned in designated areas for quick response prior to every landing and takeoff. This alternate ARFF coverage will continue until we can re-position the ARFF truck back in Ofu.”
All day yesterday KHJ News tried to obtain comment from Commissioner of Public Safety Lei Sonny Thompson as firefighting services are under his department but he did not respond.
