What is the primary role of ARFF personnel during a fire event?

The primary role of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) personnel during a fire event is to ensure the safety of individuals, which frequently includes rescuing trapped occupants. Their training and skills are specifically designed to address emergencies that occur within or around an aircraft, where passengers or crew might find themselves in immediate danger due to fire or other hazards. This critical function includes assessing the situation quickly, locating trapped individuals, and executing safe extraction maneuvers while also dealing with the fire.

While preventing smoke inhalation is an important safety consideration and stabilizing the fire is a key aspect of the overall response, the immediate priority in many emergency scenarios, particularly in aircraft situations, is to secure the physical safety of people at risk. Diverting traffic, while necessary for maintaining safety and access routes for emergency services, doesn't directly relate to the firefighting and rescue operations at the forefront of ARFF duties.