Professional airport firefighters are officially known as Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) specialists. Unlike structural firefighters who primarily deal with building fires, ARFF specialists are highly trained to handle the unique hazards of aviation, such as massive amounts of burning jet fuel, composite material smoke, and the rapid evacuation of high-capacity commercial aircraft. In some international regions, they may also be referred to as Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) or occasionally Crash Fire Rescue (CFR). These professionals operate specialized "Crash Tenders"—massive, high-speed vehicles equipped with high-pressure water cannons (turrets) that can spray fire retardant foam while moving. In 2026, ARFF teams are required by the FAA and ICAO to maintain a response time of less than three minutes to any point on the airfield. Their training is intense, involving simulated "hot drills" in metal plane fuselages and deep knowledge of aircraft schematics to know exactly where to cut into a plane to rescue trapped passengers. They are the "silent guardians" of every takeoff and landing, ready to intervene in seconds.