April 23--The National Guard Bureau is drafting a use agreement for its fire station and two firefighting trucks at the Fort Smith Regional Airport.
During last year's budget process a 30 percent increase in spending was expected if new firefighting equipment was needed following the 188th Fighter Wing's transition to a drone mission. That amounted to about $440,000.
In early April, Fort Smith Airport Commission officials met with the National Guard Bureau in Dallas to discuss the possibility of leasing the equipment for five years. The agreement is still being drafted, and no lease amounts were given.
"That five years will allow the FAA to schedule discretionary moneys for purchase of firefighting equipment for Fort Smith, plus design future construction of a fire station," airport Director John Parker said.
Commission Chairman Scott Archer said the Guard helped the commission "bridge the gap."
"We'll have to take on the services on our own, but this will help us get there," Archer said.
Parker said firefighters will be needed, and plans are still being made for the timeline of events.
Security fencing and drainage projects also are being planned at the airport.
Engineering contracts with Morrison Shipley Engineers were approved to design 1,850 linear feet of security fencing and erosion control and a 20-acre wildlife habitat and drainage improvement. The fence design contract is for $17,500, and the drainage project engineering contract is for $106,610.
The fence project is expected to be completed over the next two years, using $150,000 in this year's budget. It will be reimbursed using fees from the passenger facility charge.
Likewise, the charge will help fund a multi-year project to improve drainage on 20 acres of airport property to the south of the control tower. At least $75,000 was included in this year's budget for the project.
Copyright 2014 - Times Record, Fort Smith, Ark.
