The opening ceremony of the fire practice site constructed by Finavia was held in Rovaniemi on Tuesday 30 May. This investment serves the Lapland region in the training required to maintain the competence of rescue personnel.
The new fire practice site enables rescue workers to practise emergency operations in lifelike surroundings. This is made possible by a modern airplane fire simulator, the first of its kind in Lapland.
"The site provides the opportunity to practise operations such as fire extinction in various airplane fires, i.e. landing gear and engine fires, and evacuating people from the hull of the plane," says Finavia's Johan Juujärvi, Manager of Rovaniemi airport.
The practice site will primarily be used by the rescue personnel of Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Enontekiö, Ivalo, Kemi, Kuusamo, Kajaani and Oulu airports. In addition, professionals from the air force and Lapland emergency services can utilise the site in their practice operations.
The facility is also beneficial to a number of cooperation exercises concerning authorities and operators.
"In addition to the emergency services and airport operators, any rescue work related to aviation accidents will be managed by the police, first aid services, voluntary rescue services, etc., in cooperation with Finavia personnel," explains Juujärvi.
Environmental issues have also been taken into consideration in the design of the site. Fires are simulated by burning liquefied petroleum gas.
The use of the Rovaniemi fire practice site will commence immediately. A similar, new fire practice site is also under construction in the vicinity of Oulu airport.
