About Blue Grass Airport:  

Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Blue Grass Airport (LEX) is a vibrant regional airport serving Central Kentucky with over 1.5 million passengers annually. Known for its convenient access, modern amenities, and warm Southern hospitality, the airport plays a key role in connecting the region to major U.S. hubs. With a strong focus on safety, innovation, and customer service, Blue Grass Airport offers a dynamic work environment where employees are part of a mission-driven team committed to excellence in aviation.

Job Purpose:

The part-time Airport Rescue Firefighter, also known as Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) personnel, is responsible for rapidly responding to aircraft emergencies at Blue Grass Airport, including crashes, fires, hazardous material spills, to extinguish fires, rescue passengers, and provide emergency medical assistance, all while adhering to strict safety regulations and operating specialized firefighting equipment designed for aircraft incidents. 

Duties and Responsibilities: (Not all encompassing)

• Responds to actual or potential emergencies involving structures and aircraft primarily located on Blue Grass Airport property to suppress fires, rescue victims, and treat the injured.
• Administers first aid and basic life saving measures during medical emergencies.
• Assists with recovery operations at a crash site and monitors responsible clean-up operations.
• Regular training to maintain credentials and learn the latest techniques and trends in the field of Aviation Public Safety.
• Ability to perform all the essential functions of the job outlined above without creating a direct threat to the safety of oneself or others.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Certified as a Commonwealth of Kentucky Professional Firefighter Basic I.
• Certified as a Commonwealth of Kentucky Emergency Medical Responder. 
• Must successfully complete certification to 14 CFR Part 139, Aircraft Rescue Firefighter within 9 months of hire.
• Must be proficient in the operation of all ARFF apparatus and equipment within 9 months of hire.
• Capability to handle the pressure and stress of emergency situations. 

Working Conditions:

This is a part-time position requiring regular, punctual attendance on-site. Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments, as well as throughout airport-owned and operated buildings. A variety of exposures are possible due to the nature of training and working environment. These environments involve exposure to noise, fumes or airborne particles, other contaminants, and chemicals, biological, radiological, moving mechanical hazards, moving vehicles, working in high, precarious places, risk of electrical shock, and extremes of temperature and weather conditions. This position is subject to occasional exposure to bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluids. This position involves working near high-voltage power sources. The regular schedule will be a rotation of 8 hours every third day with opportunity to pick up additional hours up to a full 24 hour shift. Part-time firefighters will be assigned to a full-time crew. There will be potential to work additional hours with a maximum of 1,450 hours per calendar year. Work includes weekends, nights, holidays, and call-back duty.

Physical Requirements:

This position is classified as “heavy” to “very heavy” work in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Airport Firefighter must successfully complete annual physical agility and job-related physical fitness training. The position requires passing a pre-hire OSHA 1910.120 physical and drug screen and an annual OSHA 1910.120 physical. The physical includes, but is not limited to, a respirator fit test, audiometric exam, pulmonary function test, chest x-ray, ECG, vision test, blood work, and physical exam. Proof of physical and SCBA FIT Test completed and dated appropriately through another agency can be provided in place of pre-hire and annual tests required by the airport. 

Facial hair must be worn so that it does not come between the sealing surface of the SCBA mask facepiece and the face or that it interferes with valve function. This requires that it fit snugly to the face to maintain a seal and prevent leaks. 

Employee must perform physical activities that require considerable use of their arms and legs and move the whole body, such as climbing, crawling, lifting, balancing, bending, squatting, pulling, jumping, running, walking, going up and down steps, stooping, and handling of materials. This position requires the ability to traverse uneven terrain and or steep terrain on a regular basis. The Airport Firefighter is required to maintain a high level of physical fitness to perform job-related functions, including but not limited to, manipulating the body weight of another human. Must be able to lift and carry up to one hundred sixty (160) pounds continuously for up to 10 minutes.

Firefighter must have sufficient auditory ability, with or without audio logical devices, to decipher and reply to telephone and radio communications, hear alarms, other warning signals, and vehicle signals indicating backward or forward motion. The position also requires the employee to have sufficient visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, to read computer monitors, measurement instruments, visually detect damage, and conduct day-to-day safety operations. Must have the ability to work near aircraft in motion. This position requires the ability to work in confined and/or high spaces. 

Special Requirements:

Must maintain a valid Commonwealth of Kentucky Driver’s license, pass random drug screenings, and pass a background investigation (criminal and prior employment).

Must have reliable transportation.

Position is subject to required initial and yearly recurrent training in one or more of the following areas: Airport Security, Airport Familiarization, Movement and Non-Movement Area Driver’s training, as well as periodic mandatory briefings and/or instruction.

Travel Requirements:

Occasional travel may be necessary. Employee must be able to travel to worksites on property. Employee may travel to local and statewide destinations during business hours. Employees may attend off-site training, conferences, and meetings.