Rescue and Fire Fighting Services

The Air Navigation Services Regulation Division of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands is responsible for the certification and regulatory safety oversight of Air Navigation Services Systems.

Obligations for this responsibility are based on a 1944 agreement called the Chicago Convention which organised its signators into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This agreement put in place a commitment to foster the growth and safety of international air transportation through compliance with Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) that are attached to the Convention in detailed Annexes.

The United Kingdom is a signatory to this agreement and the Cayman Islands, as one of its Overseas Territories, accepts the same commitments. The U.K. created the Air Navigation (Overseas Territory) Order [AN(OT)O] as amended, and the more detailed descriptions provided in the Overseas Territory Aviation Requirements (OTARs) to help its Territorial members to comply with these requirements.

ICAO Responsibilities

In accordance with the provisions of Annex 14, States are required to provide rescue and fire-fighting equipment and services at an airport. In the Cayman Islands, OTAR 140 provides the more detailed requirement of:

  1. The operator of a certificated aerodrome to ensure that an RFFS:
    1. is provided at their aerodrome; and
    2. is organised, equipped, staffed, trained and operated to meet its proper functions; and
    3. is located on the aerodrome, or an off-aerodrome location where the Governor is satisfied that the response time and minimum discharge rate can be met; and
  2. The Governor to determine those non-certificated aerodromes at which an RFFS will be provided.
    The Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTAR 140) further states the objectives of these requirements as to:

    1. save lives during an aircraft accident or incident occurring at, or in the immediate vicinity of an aerodrome.
    2. respond to aircraft accident or incident within the Fire-Fighting Response area in accordance with paragraph 140.43;
    3. assume command and control of the Hazard Zone for the accident or incident site in an effective and efficient manner; and
    4. preserve the accident or incident site for aircraft investigation.

Regulatory Requirements

To ensure all regulatory requirements are being met, the Civil Aviation Authority provides oversight on the service. OTAR 140 is the reference document containing requirements concerning Rescue and Fire Fighting Services approval.

View OTAR 140 (Rescue and Fire Fighting Services)

Required Documentation