The Naples Airport Authority announced that its new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting station was awarded the General Aviation Project of the Year by the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. SEC-AAAE presents this award annually to a deserving airport that has completed an outstanding airport project.
The new ARFF is a state-of-the-art facility that replaced the airport’s original fire station built in 1989. The $5.8 million dollar facility was built to the highest standards and specifications of the fire service with special attention paid to airfield response requirements. While the primary focus of the station is fire and emergency response within the airport, the new location also provides improved access to the surrounding community that decreases response times and continues to improve safety within the City of Naples.
The facility was built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, to ensure continuity of service and serve as an emergency operations center to assist with Collier County disaster response efforts.
The joint operation of the ARFF further solidifies the existing partnership between the Naples Airport Authority, City of Naples and City of Naples Fire-Rescue Department, and exemplifies their shared commitment to safety.
Naples Airport is ideally located within minutes of downtown Naples, the Gulf of Mexico and I-75, connecting people to the Paradise Coast through an exceptional airport experience. The airport serviced 104,479 annual operations in the last fiscal year, while being an engaged, responsive partner to the community. Home to flight schools, air charter operators, car rental agencies, and corporate aviation and non-aviation businesses, the airport is also a central location for public services, including fire/rescue services, mosquito control, the Collier County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and other community services.
All funds used for the airport’s operation, maintenance and improvements are generated from activities at the airport or federal and state grants from aviation-related user fees. The airport receives no local tax dollars. The Florida Department of Transportation values the airport’s annual economic impact to the community at more than $440 million.
