The St. Joseph County Airport Authority (SJCAA) Department of Public Safety will be conducting annual fire training required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with live burns on Monday, May 5, 2025 from approximately 8:00 a.m. until Noon at the live fire training facility on the northwest corner of the airfield at South Bend International Airport (SBN). The training will not impact flight operations.
The fire safety training is mandated by the FAA under FAR Part 139 for any entity specializing in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF). Twelve members make up the SJCAA safety department who will work together to put out the live fires.
“The FAA-required fire training with live burns is conducted annually to ensure our team is timely, effective, and proficient in putting out large flammable liquid fuel fires,” said SJCAA Department of Public Safety Chief Mike Ornat. “Safety is held to the highest standard across all sectors at the airport. Training procedures like this help our team stay equipped and alert for our traveling public.”
Media should arrive at 8:30 a.m. reporting to the east end of the terminal near the South Shore train to be escorted to the fires. Media should park in the 18-hour/cell phone lot. No payment necessary.
