ACE Airport Master Firefighter (AMF)

• Possess three years documented experience as an Airport Firefighter
  (Candidates can substitute ARFF experience with four years of documented structural firefighting experience for every one year of ARFF experience sought, regardless of rank. All other prerequisites must be met in order to qualify)
• Completion of completion of a Basic ARFF Training Program*
• Completion of National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100/200.c/700.B**

How to Register for the ACE AMF Program

Prior to officially enrolling into the ACE AMF program, candidates are to submit a registration package containing the following documents:

• Resume verifying at least 3 years documented experience as an airport firefighter
• Certificate of completion of a Basic ARFF Training Program*
• Certificates of completion of NIMS 100/200.c/700.B**

* The Basic ARFF Training Program must include training to meet or exceed the requirements of NFPA 1003: Standard for Airport Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, or, at a minimum include the training topics required by Federal Aviation Regulations Part 139.319, or the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) equivalent. In lieu of a certificate, a transcript that includes the ARFF training topics and date(s) of training may be submitted as proof of training and is subject to review and approval by the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee.

**Older versions of ICS 200 and 700 will continue to be accepted.

The required information is to be accompanied by a signed cover letter (on an official letterhead) by the Airport Fire Chief or lead ARFF official verifying the information submitted was correct and showing support from the department.

The Airport Fire Chief or lead ARFF official is to include in the cover letter an overview of the documents submitted as well as support of the candidate to be enrolled into the program(s). In addition, the supporter signing the letter must include his or her rank at the firehouse and contact information (phone number and email).

Registration packages and questions may be submitted electronically to training@aaae.org

You may also fax to 703.820.1395, or mail to:

Attn: Training Department
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
The Barclay Building
601 Madison St.
Alexandria, VA 22314

Upon successful verification from the AAAE/ARFFWG Joint Training Program Committee, the candidate will receive correspondence from the committee by email, for the candidate to officially register for the program.

• Candidates must independently register for both the ACE AMF and AFO programs

Grandfather Clause

Participants who completed the predecessor ARFF programs (Certified Firefighter C.F., Certified Master Firefighter C.M.F., and Airport Master Firefighter A.M.F.) will be recognized for the participation.

C.F. to ACE AMF will require a copy of the original certification. A new certificate will be issued via email at no cost to the applicant.

C.M.F. to AFO will require a copy of the original (graded) research paper. A new certificate, patch, and pin will be issued. There will be a $25 cost for the managerial expenses. The research will also be added to the ARFF Training Alliance library.

If you have received either of these predecessor designations and would like to be recognized for participation under the new programs, please fill out the Grandfather Clause Registration form and submit copies of the required documentation and certificates previously mentioned to the Training Department or fax at 703.820.1395. Scanned and emailed copies of the documents and form are acceptable as well.

Contact Us

Email - training@aaae.org
Phone - 703-824-0500 ext. 115

Grandfather Clause Application
(Adobe PDF File)

The Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Airport Master Firefighter (A.M.F.) program is the first level in the ARFF Professional Designation Program.  Candidates who register in this program must meet certain Program Pre-Requisites to be registered into and earn the AFO designation.

ARFF personnel who are interested in enrolling into this program do not have to be a member of either AAAE or the ARFFWG but must work with the individuals Airport Fire Chief or lead ARFF Official to provide certifying documentation proving the candidate fulfills the Program Pre-Requisites.  Upon successful verification by AAAE and/or the ARFFWG, candidates will be prompted to register for the ACE AMF Program through ACE AMF Program Application page.

Upon successful enrollment into the program, candidates may upload and/or purchase the required Study Materials and begin preparing for the ACE AMF 150 question multiple-choice examination.  Candidates who earn a 70% or better on the examination will earn the ACE AMF designation after their name. Candidates will have 26 months, from the date of enrollment, to complete the certification.

The Airport Certified Employee (ACE) Airport Master Firefighter (AMF) program is designed to broaden and deepen the knowledge of Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) professionals and strengthen their understanding of subject areas essential to airport firefighting operations. The program is jointly developed by AAAE and the Aircraft Rescue Firefighters Working Group (ARFFWG) through the ARFF Training Alliance. 

The ACE AMF examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must achieve a score of 70% or better to earn the ACE AMF designation and proceed to the next level of the ARFF Professional Designation Program, the Airport Fire Officer (AFO) program.*

The examination covers ARFF operations and broader airport administration and management topics using the following study materials:

• AAAE Airport Master Firefighter (AMF) Supplement- Seventh Edition (2026)
  • Includes extracted sections from AAAE's Certified Member (C.M.) Accreditation Body of Knowledge 
    • Planning, Construction & Environmental 
    • Airport Operations, Security & Maintenance
    • Communications & Community Relations 
      
      
• Federal Aviation Regulations- 14 CFR Part 139
  •  § 139.315- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Index Determination
  •  § 139.317- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Equipment and Agents
  •  §139.319- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Operational Requirements
  •  §139.321- Handling and Storing of Hazardous Substances and Materials
  •  §139.325- Airport Emergency Plan (AEP)
      
• Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circulars (AC)
  
  • AC 150/5200-12C – First Responders' Responsibility for Protecting Evidence at the Scene of an Aircraft Accident/Incident
  • AC 150/5210-17C – Programs for Training of Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Personnel
  • AC 150/5210-23A – ARFF Vehicle and High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Operation, Training and Qualifications

• IFSTA 7th Edition- Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting*
  

These materials reflect the study documents identified in the 2026 AMF Supplement. The supplement itself contains the applicable Part 139 provisions and FAA Advisory Circulars, including the updated 17C and 23A editions. 

Candidate Materials
All enrolled candidates receive electronic access to the ACE AMF Supplement. The supplement provides the AAAE Body of Knowledge excerpts and supporting regulatory materials necessary to prepare for the AMF examination.

Candidates must obtain the IFSTA 7th Edition – Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting resource on their own.

How to Schedule the ACE AMF Online Exam

The comprehensive final examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and is designed to professionally assess the candidates’ knowledge of ARFF Operations and Airport Administration/Management.

All exams are now administered through a secure online platform, and a live proctor is not needed. A computer with a webcam, internal microphone and internet connection is required for all exams. You must review the exam instructions and guidelines prior to scheduling an exam. All sessions will be recorded. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in AAAE invalidating your exam.

AAAE Airport Master Firefighter (AMF) Supplement- 7th Edition (2026)

• Includes extracted sections from AAAE's Certified Member (C.M.) Accreditation Body of Knowledge:
  
  • Planning, Construction, & Environmental
  • Airport Operations, Security & Maintenance
  • Communications & Community Relations
    
    

• Federal Aviation Regulations- 14 CFR Part 139: ​
  •  §  139.315- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Index Determination
  • § 139.317- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Equipment and Agents
  •  § 139.319- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Operational Requirements
  •  § 139.321- Handling and Storage of Hazardous Substances and Materials
  •  § 139.325- Airport Emergency Plan (AEP)

• Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circulars (AC)
  • AC 150/5200-12C – First Responders' Responsibility for Protecting Evidence at the Scene of an Aircraft Accident/Incident
  • ​AC 150/5210-17C – Programs for Training of Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Personnel
  • AC 150/5210-23A – ARFF Vehicle and High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Operation, Training and Qualifications
    
    
• IFSTA 7th Edition- Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting

*Candidates are responsible for obtaining the IFSTA 7th Edition resource on their own. The AAAE Airport Master Firefighter Supplement contains the applicable AAAE Body of Knowledge excerpts, Part 139 sections, and FAA Advisory Circulars identified above.

Candidates accepted into the ACE Airport Master Firefighter (AMF) Program will receive an email providing electronic access to the ACE Airport Master Firefighter Supplement – Seventh Edition (2026). If you have not received access to your study materials, please contact the Training Department.

Hard copies of available study materials may also be purchased here.

AMF Study Materials- 2026 Revision

• The ACE AMF Supplement includes excerpts from AAAE's Certified Member (C.M.) Accreditation Body of Knowledge covering the following areas:
  
  • Planning, Construction, & Environmental 
  • Airport Operations, Security & Maintenance 
  • Communications & Community Relations
    
    

• The following 14 CFR Part 139 sections are also included as study materials: ​
  •  §  139.315- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Index Determination
  •  § 139.317- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Equipment and Agents
  •  § 139.319- Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting: Operational Requirements
  •  § 139.321- Handling and Storage of Hazardous Substances and Materials
  •  § 139.325- Airport Emergency Plan (AEP)

• The supplement also incorporates the following FAA Advisory Circulars:
  • AC 150/5200-12C – First Responders' Responsibility for Protecting Evidence at the Scene of an Aircraft Accident/Incident
  • ​AC 150/5210-17C – Programs for Training of Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Personnel
  • AC 150/5210-23A – ARFF Vehicle and High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) Operation, Training and Qualifications

In addition to the ACE AMF Supplement, candidates are required to obtain and study:

• IFSTA 7th Edition- Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting*

*Candidates are responsible for obtaining the IFSTA 7th Edition resource on their own.