Airport Fire Officer (A.F.O.)
Prove your knowledge of the structure of ARFF organizations, their standards and regulations, and the fiduciary responsibilities involved in leading an ARFF organization by earning your A.F.O.
The A.F.O. professional designation program is designed for existing and aspiring leaders in the ARFF profession. The program prerequisites ensure that a candidate has obtained and mastered the necessary baseline as an Airport Master Firefighter.
Benefits
- Increase your credibility and that of your airport by showing your expertise with the A.F.O. designation after your name
- Expand on what you learned from the A.M.F. program while enhancing your research and writing skills
- Increase your promotional and career opportunities in the field of ARFF
- Gain industry-wide recognition through AAAE and ARFFWG media-related announcements and releases
Questions? Contact the AAAE Training Department or the ARFFWG at info@arffwg.org
*Please note that payment for the program does not indicate your acceptance. A full registration packet must be submitted to be accepted to the A.F.O. program. For more information on the application process please refer to the requirements section on this page.
Eligibility Requirements
Prospective A.F.O. candidates must meet the following requirements to be accepted into the program:
Successful completion of the Airport Master Firefighter (A.M.F.) program
Not required to hold a formal rank of officer to participate
Completion of forty hours of Incident Command/Management Level Training
- Most departments have different requirements for officer level training. For this requirement to be met, candidates will need to provide documentation meeting this prerequisite and be approved by the ARFF Working Group Educational Affairs Committee. Examples of acceptable courses would be the PICO and STICO, Command and Control Classes from the National Fire Academy, NIMS 300 & 400, a Fire Officer I program, or a college level management course.
NFA/EMI Emergency Management Institute IS-120.c – An Introduction to Exercises Course
- On-line self-Study Course
NFA/EMI Emergency Management Institute IS 130.a – Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning Course*
- On-line Self Study Course
Department of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) L-146 class will count as equivalency for IS-130.a class
How to Register for the A.F.O. Program
Prior to officially enrolling into the A.F.O. program, candidates are to submit a registration package containing the above documents.
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 may be submitted electronically via email to the ARFF Working Group at info@arffwg.org or to AAAE at trainingdept@aaae.org.
Upon successful verification from the AAAE/ARFFWG Joint Training Program Committee, the Airport Fire Chief or lead ARFF official will receive correspondence from the committee, by phone or email, for the candidate to officially register for the program.
Please note: Candidates must independently register for both the A.M.F. and A.F.O. programs.
Grandfather Clause Application
(Adobe PDF File)
Process
Once the candidate officially registers for the program and pays all required dues for the A.F.O. program, the candidate will be assigned an ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative and will be given electronic access to the A.F.O. Supplemental Material.
The ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative will be the point of contact for the candidate throughout the A.F.O. process. A.F.O. is a two-step process. Step One is a written exam to show mastery of the advanced material. Step Two presents your own interpretation or evaluation or argument through developing a research question and thesis, doing the research, writing a paper, and correctly documenting your sources or showing mastery of this through prior attainment of an advanced degree.
A.F.O. STEP ONE
The A.F.O. candidate must successfully complete the A.F.O. 100 question multiple-choice examination with a 70% or better. All exams are now administered through a secure online platform, and a live proctor is no longer needed. A minimum of two weeks' notice is required for all exams. Candidates can schedule their exams here. 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.
A.F.O. STEP TWO
Once the candidate has successfully completed Step One, the candidate must complete and send the A.F.O. Step Two form to their assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative. The form will include the end date for the candidate to have A.F.O. Step Two completed, which will be three years from the date the form is sent. The candidate will then have 30 days to complete this form and send to the assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative for review and approval.
The candidate must select and complete ONE of the following options for Tier 2:
- Management Research Paper - Write a management research paper of 20-30 pages on a topic that is broadly applicable to ARFF management to propose a set of guidelines for managing a problem or set forth an argument for implementing a project or using a methodology. The topic must be approved in advance by the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee.
OR
- Case Study, Proposal, or Project (staffing, fitness, additional apparatus, etc.) - Prepare a case study of 20-30 pages to recount/analyze the steps or measures taken by a specific ARFF department or ARFF system in implementing a project or managing a problem. The case study, proposal, or project must be approved in advance by the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee.
OR
- Submit an official transcript of record from an accredited university or college to the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee to verify that you have earned a Bachelor's degree or Graduate Degree. The major course of study must have been in fire service administration, emergency services administration, public safety administration, or related.
The ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative will review the submitted Airport Fire Officer (A.F.O.) Tier Two Form and provide feedback to the candidate within thirty days following submission. The ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative will advise if the selected topic for Options 1 or 2 is approved, rejected, or requires more clarification. If the topic is approved, the candidate may proceed with writing the Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project. However, if the topic is rejected or requires further clarification, all revisions or a new topic must be resubmitted within thirty days from date of notice.
Some Helpful Tips for Selecting a Topic
Choosing your topic should be an expression of your professional and personal interest. It is important to remember that many topics are too narrow to be developed into a management paper. Your subject should not be a description of an activity, incident or process at your airport that has little relative value for other airport fire fighters.
Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project Guidance
Candidates are encouraged to contact their assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative at any time during the A.F.O. process. To keep the candidate on track with the development and flow of the project, an outline of the paper should be developed and submitted to the assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative for critique.
Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project Resources and Guidelines
The Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project should be drafted using the MLA (Modern Language Association) style. MLA is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.
Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project Submission of Final Draft
Candidates must submit the final draft of the Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project Submission of Final Draft to the assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative. This may be done electronically through email to the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative. All papers are to be submitted in an editable format (i.e. Microsoft Word). The assigned representative will then submit to the ARFF Educational Affairs Committee for review and grading.
Evaluation of the Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project
The ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee will review of the Management Research Paper, Case Study, Proposal, or Project to determines that it fulfills the objectives of the selected topic. Should the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee decide that the paper is inadequate and needs more development, it will be returned to the candidate electronically for additional work. Comments will be provided to give the candidate direction on where to make some improvements.
The board will score the paper pass/fail based upon the following criteria:
- Fulfillment: Fulfills the assignment specifications.
- Clarity: Uses headings and subheadings as appropriate to clearly lay out the author’s presentation.
- Relevance: Related to aircraft rescue firefighting. Topic is current and can be utilized by others.
- Depth: Explores the topic in reasonable detail and analysis. Concepts are substantiated and research sources documented.
- Quality: Adheres to proper format and grammar.
It may take up to sixty days for the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee to review and return individual critiques to candidates. If candidates are required to resubmit revised papers, they have thirty days to do so and may submit to designated ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative electronically. Papers will be included in the ARFF Libraries.
Summary article and presentation
While not required, the AFO candidate is highly encouraged to present on the management research paper or case study at an ARFFWG sponsored event or related conference (event/conference registration fees will not be charged). Additionally, a Summary Article (1,000-word Article) should potentially be published in ARFF News or AAAE Airport Magazine to share information that may be relevant and assist other ARFF originations.
The article may include pictures or diagrams that are appropriate to the summary and assist in showing necessary detail of the candidate’s research and conclusion. Note: Any pictures or diagrams used must specifically state they are personally owned (i.e. you own the picture or diagram) or show you have permission to use the pictures or diagrams.
Course Content and Structure
The A.F.O. ARFF Applied Research Project (ARP) requires a different set of skills from that of the A.M.F. multiple-choice examination. This program requires candidates to demonstrate that he/she can write in a clear, organized, and grammatically correct style about a topic of interest relevant to professional aircraft rescue and fighters and be able to present the contents of the project at an ARFF conference and also be able to defend the research conducted on the topic. Independent research on the topic is required and the paper should be presented in a formal, high quality, research paper format. The ARP should flow in a logical and understandable manner with the conclusion clearly supported by the evidence presented in the body of the project.
The ARFF Educational Affairs Committee will evaluate the paper on its relevance to ARFF, format, form and content. The project will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Successful papers will become a permanent part of the ARFFWG and AAAE ARFF libraries and will be made available to other airports as reference materials.
Upon successful completion of the ARP, candidates will be required to present all ARP findings at an ARFFWG Conference of the candidates choosing as well as write a Professional Article to earn the A.F.O. designation.
ARFF Applied Research Project (ARP) Process
ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative
Once the candidate officially registers for the program and pays all required dues for the A.F.O. program, the candidate will be assigned an ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative. This individual will be the point of contact for the candidate throughout the A.F.O. process.
Candidates are encouraged to contact their assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative at anytime during the A.F.O. process. To keep the candidate on track with the development and flow of the project, an outline of the paper should be developed and submitted to the assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative for critique.
ARFF Applied Research Proposal Form
The ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative will provide the candidate with an ARFF Applied Research Proposal form for the ARFF Applied Research Project (ARP). The form will include the end date for the candidate to have the AFO paper completed, which will be three years from the date the form is sent. The candidate will then have 30 days to complete this form and send to the assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative for review and approval.
The ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative will review the submitted ARFF Applied Research Proposal Form and provide feedback to the candidate within 30 days following submission. The ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative will advise if the selected topic is approved, rejected, or requires more clarification. If the topic is approved, the candidate may proceed with writing the paper. However, if the topic is rejected or requires further clarification, all revisions or a new topic must be resubmitted within 30 days from date of notice.
Some Helpful Tips for Selecting a Topic
Choosing your topic should be an expression of your professional and personal interest. It is important to remember that many topics are too narrow to be developed into a management paper. Your subject should not be a description of an activity, incident or process at your airport that has little relative value for other airport fire fighters. Candidates should discuss the selection of an appropriate topic with their assigned ARFF Educational Affairs Representative.
Refer to the two sample forms below.
ARFF Applied Research Proposal (ARP) Form
(Adobe PDF File)
ARP Evaluation Form
(Adobe PDF File)
ARP Resources and Guidelines
Candidates must conduct independent research when developing the ARP. A good amount of information may be obtained from the A.M.F. Study Materials as well as other external resources. Candidates are encouraged to conduct interviews with superiors, peers and colleagues as well as meet with other ARFF facilities when gathering information for the ARP.
Candidates are required to use the most recent edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Manual. This resource is not provided by AAAE or the ARFFWG but may refer to the APA Website for more information on how to obtain this resource.
ARFF Applied Research Project (ARP) Submission of Final Draft
Candidates must submit all drafts (including the final draft) of the ARFF Applied Research Project (ARP) to the assigned ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative. This may be done electronically through email to the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative. All papers are to be submitted in an editable format (i.e. Microsoft Word). Once the ARP is at the point for final submission, the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Representative will submit the final draft to the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee for review and grading.
Please refer to the ARFF Professional Designation Learning Guide for more information on the Evaluation of the ARFF Applied Research Project (ARP)
Sample ARFF Applied Research Project (ARP)
See below for a sample ARP by Chief Duane Kann, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) Fire Department
Sample ARP by Chief Duane Kann, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) Fire Department
(Adobe PDF File)
ARFF Training Alliance Library
All submitted and graded ARP’s will be become part of the ARFF Training Alliance LibraryARP PresentationAfter the ARP has been graded, the candidates assigned ARFF Educational Affairs Representative will issue a Notice to Proceed to the ARP Presentation. The ARP Presentation portion of the ARFF Designation process is designed to give the candidate an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge of the research conducted throughout the ARFF Research Project (ARP) and to speak clearly and effectively while organizing thoughts in response to questions asked by the panel. At least three ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee members and an assembled group of peers administer the oral exam. An ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee member will serve as the lead examiner and will have control over the timing of the presentation.
More information on the ARP Presentation and helpful hints to prepare is presented in the ARFF Professional Designation Learning Guide ARFF Professional Designation Learning Guide
Professional Article Requirement
The final requirement of the A.F.O. process is the submission of a 1,000 word professional article to be published in the ARFFWG or AAAE publications. The article should be a summary of the A.F.O. Applied Research Project (ARP) and subsequent conclusion that was reached during the project. The article may include pictures or diagrams that are appropriate to the summary and assist in showing necessary detail of the candidate’s research and conclusion. The article must be submitted prior to or at the time of the oral presentation and A.F.O. credentials will not be issued until it has been submitted.Note: Any pictures or diagrams used must specifically state they are personally owned (I.e. you own the picture or diagram) or show you have permission to use the pictures or diagrams.
Contacts
FAQ
What are the requirements and procedures for joining the Airport Fire Officer Program?
Prospective A.F.O. candidates must meet the following requirements to be accepted into the program:
1. Successful completion of the Airport Master Firefighter (A.M.F.) program
*Not required to hold a formal rank of officer to participate
2. Completion of forty hours of Incident Command/Management Level Training
*Most departments have different requirements for officer level training. For this requirement to be met, candidates will need to provide documentation meeting this prerequisite and be approved by the ARFF Working Group Educational Affairs Committee. Examples of acceptable courses would be the PICO and STICO, Command and Control Classes from the National Fire Academy, NIMS 300 & 400, a Fire Officer I program, or a college level management course.
3. NFA/EMI Emergency Management Institute IS-120.c – An Introduction to Exercises Course
*On-line self-Study Course
4. NFA/EMI Emergency Management Institute IS 130.a – Exercise Evaluation and Improvement Planning Course*
*On-line Self Study Course
5. Department of Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP) L-146 class will count as equivalency for IS-130.a class
Candidates meeting these requirements must following the Registration Process procedures by submitting a registration packet documenting proof of the requirements and also submit a Program Application.
Is AAAE and/or ARFFWG Membership required to be in the Airport Fire Officer Program?
While AAAE and the ARFFWG encourage membership into either organization to keep up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry as well as professionally network with your fellow peers, membership into either organization is not required. Creating a profile on the organization websites may be required to successfully enroll into the programs. To become a member of either AAAE and/or the ARFFWG, please visit the appropriate websites.
When will I be notified about the results of my application?
Upon successful verification of required Program Pre-Requisites, official notice to register by the AAAE/ARFFWG will be given to the Airport Fire Chief or lead ARFF official that is submitting the Program Pre-Requisites. Notification will be in the form of an email correspondence. Please contact the AAAE at trainingdept@aaae.org for any questions regarding this requirement.
How much does the program cost and how do I register?
Program Enrollment Fee* (one-time fee) - $310/person (Fee includes one exam attempt)
For questions regarding A.F.O. Registration, contact Brigida de Moraes or the ARFFWG at info@arffwg.org.
I earned the predecessor Certified Firefighter (C.F.) or the Certified Master Firefighter (C.M.F.) certifications years ago. Can these designations be transferred to the A.M.F. or A.F.O. programs?
Participants who completed the predecessor ARFF programs (Certified Firefighter C.F. and/or Certified Master Firefighter C.M.F.) will be recognized for the participation.
C.F. to A.M.F. 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 A.F.O. 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.
For more information or questions, contact Brigida de Moraes or the ARFFWG at info@arffwg.org.
Will I be able to use the A.F.O. designation after my name after I successfully complete the program?
Yes. Candidates who successfully complete the A.F.O. phases will be able to use the designation after their name. After earning the A.F.O. designation, candidates may drop the A.M.F. designation as the A.M.F. designation is the first step in the ARFF Professional Designation program.
Are there any limits to complete the A.F.O. Process after I register for the Program?
Candidates have 1 year from the time of enrollment to complete the A.F.O. program. Extensions may be made on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to an additional fee of $100.00.
What benefits will I receive as an AAAE/ARFFWG Airport Fire Officer (A.F.O.)?
Upon successful completion of the A.M.F. program, candidates will have the privilege of using the prestigious A.F.O. designation after their name and become part of an elite group of professional Airport Firefighters. Furthermore, candidates will be presented with an Award of Certification with their name and use of the designation.
What are the required steps to successfully complete the A.F.O. Designation program?
To successfully earn the A.F.O. designation, candidates must complete the following phases of the program:
First, successful completion of the A.M.F. program to earn the A.M.F. designation is accomplished by passing a 150 multiple-choice examination with a 70% or better.
Then to successfully earn the A.F.O. designation, candidates must successfully complete the A.F.O. 100 multiple-choice examination with a 70% or better and successfully complete ONE of the following:
Management Research Paper
OR
Case Study or Proposal or Project
OR
Submit an official transcript of record from an accredited university or college to the ARFFWG Educational Affairs Committee to verify that you have earned a Bachelor's degree or Graduate Degree. The major course of study must have been in fire service administration, emergency services administration, public safety administration, or related.
While not required, the AFO candidate is highly encouraged to present on the management research paper or case study at an ARFFWG sponsored event or related conference (event/conference registration fees will not be charged). Additionally, a Summary Article (1,000-word Article) should potentially be published in ARFF News or AAAE Magazine to share information that may be relevant and assist other ARFF originations.
Upon successful completion of all parts, the candidate will earn the A.F.O. designation.
Refer to the Requirements tab for more information. Information on this process is also provided in the ARFF Professional Designation Program Learning Guide.
How many questions are on the A.M.F. multiple-choice exam?
There are 150 multiple-choice questions on the exam based on the required Study Materials. Candidates have up to 3 hours to complete the exam. The A.M.F. exam is to be taken over the internet.
How can I study for the A.F.O. program?
A.F.O. requires a different set of skills from that of the A.M.F. In addition to advanced knowledge that a fire officer in ARFF will need (the material is found in the A.F.O. supplement, provided during the registration process), this program also requires candidates to demonstrate the ability to write in a clear, organized, and grammatically correct style about a topic of interest relevant to professional aircraft rescue and fighters. The ARFF Educational Affairs Committee will evaluate the paper, project, or transcript, on its relevance to ARFF, format, form and content. The project will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Successful papers or projects will become a permanent part of the ARFFWG and AAAE ARFF libraries and will be made available to other airports as reference materials.
How to Schedule the A.F.O. Online Exam
All exams are now administered through a secure online platform, and a live proctor is not needed. A minimum of two weeks' notice is required for all exams. Candidates can schedule their exams here. 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.
Study Materials
All A.F.O. candidates will need the following materials to study for the multiple-choice examination:
A.F.O. SUPPLEMENT**
A.F.O. Supplement consists of:
- The Airport Finance excerpt from the Certified Member (C.M.) modules
- FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-31: Airport Emergency Plan**
- FAA Advisory Circular150/5210-6: Aircraft Fire Extinguishing Agents**
- FAA Advisory Circular150/5220-10: Guide Specification for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicles**
- FAA Advisory Circular150/5230-4: Aircraft Fuel Storage, Handling, and Dispensing on Airports**
- FAA CertAlert for Part 139 04-18: Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Training Facility Pool Size (Fixed and Mobile) **
- FAA CertAlert for Part 139 04-12: Dry Chemical Systems Inspection and Maintenance**
NFPA STANDARDS*
- NFPA 402: Guide for ARFF Operations, 2013 Edition * (can be viewed for free at NFPA.org)
- NFPA 403: Standard for ARFF Services at Airports, 2014 Edition * (can be viewed for free at NFPA.org)
- NFPA 407: Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing, 2012 Edition * (can be viewed for free at NFPA.org)
* Candidates to obtain this resource on-own
** Document included in A.F.O. Supplement
** A.F.O. Supplement provided to all enrolled candidates electronically at no extra charge
All candidates, upon enrollment, will be given electronic access to the following materials:
- AAAE/ARFFWG ARFF Designation Learning Guide
- A.F.O. Supplement
