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WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The third anniversary of the tragic accident at Quincy, Ill. is fast approaching (Nov. 19), and virtually nothing has been done at the national level to help prevent the needless deaths that occur when passengers survive the initial phase of an accident but then die horribly from fire or smoke because of inadequate fire and rescue services, according to the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).
"There's really no excuse for it. Passengers expect and deserve the highest level of safety at all times, but most don't know that if you're flying at an airport that only serves small airliners of 30 or fewer passengers, there is no requirement to have a fully capable fire and rescue capability stationed on the airport property. This is a 'One Level of Safety' issue, but unfortunately, it really boils down to saving money versus saving lives," said Captain Tom Phillips, chairman of ALPA's Accident Survival Committee.
Phillips' remarks were issued today following a meeting called by National Transportation Safety Board Member John Goglia for government and industry representatives to share information on ongoing initiatives related to Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting.
The Quincy accident illustrates how inadequate fire and rescue response can cost lives....