Palm Springs International Airport Receives Two New
Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting Vehicles
Palm Springs, California –Palm Springs International Airport recently took possession of two new
Oshkosh Striker 1500 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles, which are replacing two older
vehicles that were originally purchased in 2003.
Fast Facts:
- Make & Model: Both are Oshkosh Striker 1500
- Manufactured in Appleton, WI
- Delivered the weekend of August 22, 2021
- Expected lifespan of 15 years
- Each truck carries:
o 1,500 gallons of water
o 210 gallons of foam
o 500lbs of dry chemical-potassium - Total Cost of $1.7M
o 90% of cost covered with federal funds
o 10% of cost covered with local airport funds
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations require that commercial service airports maintain a
certain level of rescue and firefighting equipment and capability. These new trucks will ensure that the
Airport is able to meet FAA requirements for years to come.
ARFF vehicles stay at the airport and are always ready to respond to aircraft alerts, fuel spills, hazmat
situations, and other emergencies that may arise at PSP. On some occasions, the Airport’s ARFF
vehicles may provide mutual aid for off-airport emergencies, such as the fuel spill in Banning along I-10
last month. In this situation, PSP was able to provide one ARFF vehicle to assist CalFire and still meet all
FAA requirements to keep the airport safe and operational. CalFire requested PSP’s assistance as a
precaution against the fuel spill since ARFF vehicles can quickly put out a fuel fire by spraying several
inches of foam, blocking all oxygen, and preventing a possible wildfire.
“These new ARFF vehicles provide the Airport’s ARFF staff with the best equipment possible,” said
Harry Barrett, Assistant Executive Director of Aviation. “Palm Springs International Airport and Palm
Springs Fire Department continually train and maintain emergency preparedness to provide the best
protection, and now we have the newest technology and equipment for the airport and our traveling
public.”
