Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has completed delivery of an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle which has been loaned, on a long-term basis, to the City of Greenville Fire Department for use at the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU.)
ARFF Unit 3 is a specialized aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle built by Oshkosh Corporation in 2006. The truck carries 1,500 gallons of water, 500 pounds of dry chemical and 195 gallons of foam and is specifically designed to respond to a wide variety of emergencies in the aviation environment.
In April 2021, GSP took delivery of two new ARFF vehicles thanks to a federal grant that allowed GSP to update its emergency response capabilities. Rather than retiring Unit 3, GSP has placed the unit into reserve status to serve as a back-up for the airport’s primary equipment. While on reserve, GSP will be loaning Unit 3 to the City of Greenville Fire Department to provide additional emergency support to GMU.
“The aviation industry is a close-knit family, and we are always looking for ways to partner in the best interests of our communities and our customers. We are happy to keep this valuable response vehicle in useful service in the region,” said Dave Edwards, president and CEO of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District.
“This vehicle is critical equipment for the City of Greenville’s fire department and represents a major step forward in technology and capabilities for GMU. We appreciate GSP’s generous loan of equipment and their partnership as we each work to meet the air transportation needs of the region,” said Joe Frasher, Airport Director, Greenville Downtown Airport.
As part of the equipment loan agreement, should any of the primary emergency equipment at GSP be taken out of service for an extended period of time, the vehicle in reserve with GFD will be recalled to supplement GSP’s capabilities until the primary equipment is restored to service.
About Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is served by seven major airlines offering convenient daily flights to destinations across the U.S. In 2020, GSP was recognized as the Best Airport in North America in the 2-5 million passenger category by its customers and Airports Council International. In 2021, the airport was awarded the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Health Accreditation for its commitment prioritizing health and safety measures for its customers and employees. The airport is also a hub for air cargo, including flights regularly flown to and from Europe and points across the United States. Learn more at www.gspairport.com.
About Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU)
The Greenville Downtown Airport is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina. GMU is the gateway for businesses and is centrally located three miles from the heart of downtown Greenville. The airport is home to over 40 aviation related businesses and tenants creating 547 jobs and contributing over $68.8 million to the Upstate economy. GMU has served our community since 1928 and continues that connection today. Our community corridor is a window for children and families to take in aviation at Runway Park or learn military history at the MHCC museum. More at www.greenvilledowntownairport.com.