What is the mandated response time for airport firefighting in Canada?

• A. 5 Minutes
• B. 3 Minutes
• C. 1 Minute
• D. 4 Minutes

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is the speed at which airport firefighting teams must arrive to start rescue and suppress a fire. In Canada, the mandated target is three minutes for the initial arrival of ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting) units after a distress alarm. This three-minute benchmark is set to ensure firefighters can begin an effective attack quickly, limit fire growth, and support any necessary evacuations, which greatly improves survivability and reduces damage. Times shorter than that, like one minute, are typically impractical for the range of airports and distances involved, while longer times such as four or five minutes would delay critical actions and increase risk. Some airports may have site-specific arrangements, but the national standard remains a three-minute response.