Celebrating 45 years of service

Marking 45 years of service, many past and present members of Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) Sydney came together recently for one of their own, Station Officer Chris Goff.

Starting in May 1974, Chris had a long and varied career, recently completing more than 2300 responses as Officer-In-Charge with an estimated 5000 plus operational responses during his career.

It all began for Chris at Bankstown Airport where within 10 minutes of starting his first shift, the crash alarm was activated and he responded to a Cessna that had ended off the runway.

While at Bankstown Airport Chris was also required to cover Camden Airport on weekends.

He said this was an eye opener as the crash alarm was activated by the Air Traffic Controller banging on the Fire Station wall as there was no communications system back then.

Both ARFFS and Air Traffic Control were housed in nothing bigger than a kitchen by today’s standards, with the vehicle parked outside.

While finding it difficult to single out any one particular highlight or response, Chris said he’ll never forget an incident at Sydney Airport in 1981, where he stopped a runaway plane from crashing into a passenger aircraft by using one of the fire trucks.

For his actions that day, Chris was awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct Medal by the Governor General.

As one of ARFFS longest serving members nationally, congratulations and thank you for your service so far and your contribution to ARFFS and keeping the flying public safe.

Posted on: May 17, 2019

More news
Related topics

Airservices provides safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry.

Drone operators benefit from faster airspace access at more airports

Commercial drone operators can apply for fast authorisations to fly safely in controlled areas at Broome, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Essendon, Hobart, and Melbourne airports under an expansion of the Automated Airspace Authorisations Trial (AAAT). Launched by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia in May 2021, the trial has simplified airspace access for […]

Advanced digital solutions sought for drone operations

Airservices Australia is calling on innovative drone technology companies to help shape the future of aviation by delivering advanced digital solutions to drone operators to enhance safety, make it easier to access airspace, and foster industry growth.  Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Service Suppliers (USS) are invited to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to collaborate […]

Airservices Australia Releases October Australian Aviation Network Overview 

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for October 2024. Highlights include: About AirservicesAirservices Australia is the Federal Government-owned organisation responsible for the safety of 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We work closely with our customers and industry to […]

Airservices Australia calls for community feedback on preferred Ballina airspace and flightpath design changes 

Airservices Australia is inviting the community to have its say on preferred airspace and flightpath design changes around Ballina Byron Gateway Airport aimed at safely accommodating the continued growth of air traffic in the region.  Ballina’s enhanced air traffic services will take effect in 2025, following a 2022 airspace review by the Civil Aviation Safety […]