Article 217 Powers of aerodrome firefighters in an emergency

(1)

A member of the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service at a national licensed aerodrome or F1a certified aerodrome may do anything on the aerodrome the member reasonably believes to be necessary—

(a)

if the member reasonably believes a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out, for the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property;

(b)

if the member reasonably believes an aircraft accident or incident to have occurred, for the purpose of rescuing people or protecting them from serious harm; or

(c)

for the purpose of preventing or limiting damage to property resulting from any action taken as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

(2)

In particular, a member of the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service at a national licensed aerodrome or a certified aerodrome, when acting in accordance with paragraph (1), may on the aerodrome—

(a)

enter an aircraft, by force if necessary, without the consent of the owner or operator;

(b)

restrict the access of persons to an aircraft, premises or a place.

(3)

A person who without reasonable excuse obstructs or interferes with a member of the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service at a national licensed aerodrome or a certified aerodrome taking action authorised under this article commits an offence.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Word in art. 217 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Aviation Safety (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/645), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 56 (with Sch. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1098, regs. 1(3), 12); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Notes on Part 8

Textual amendments

F1: Pt. 8 heading substituted (19.8.2021) by The Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/879), arts. 1(1), 7