Airservices Australia

Airservices Australia is an Australian government organisation providing Air Navigation Services (ANS) nationwide and Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) at 27 designated major aerodomes.

In Victoria, Airservices Australia provide Air Traffic Control services at Melbourne, Avalon, Essendon and Moorabbin aerodomes and Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services at Melbourne and Avalon aerodromes during designated hours.

Note:

All airspace above all of Victoria is managed by Airservices Australia from its Operations Centre at Melbourne aerodrome, except for aviation Restricted Areas which are managed by other agencies e.g. Defence. The degree of normal service available varies – depending on the aircraft, the location, and the circumstances.
Licensed aerodromes and their Aerodrome Emergency Plans are the responsibility of the aerodrome owner.
If aviation Search and Rescue assistance is (or may be) required, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) operated by AMSA must be notified.
The ADF – Royal Australian Air Force – is responsible for handling emergencies connected with Defence aircraft and state aircraft of a foreign country (e.g. visiting Presidents, Prime Ministers, etc.). First response rests with the handling agency (e.g. Airservices Australia Air Traffic Control) at the instance of the occurrence and Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFFS) at designated aerodromes.

Mitigation

For mitigation activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.

Response (including Relief)

Activity	Critical task alignment / activity source
Combat agency for: ARFFS rescue and firefighting at designated aerodromes Airservices Australia Air Traffic Control - inflight emergencies	3.1, 7.2, 12.3 Table 9: Control agencies for response
Provide ARFFS at Melbourne and Avalon aerodromes inclusive of: Rescue and Fire response role to aircraft fires, accidents and incidents on or in the vicinity of the aerodrome Structural firefighting on or in the vicinity of the aerodrome Wildfire suppression on or in the vicinity of the aerodrome	3.1, 3.2, 7.2 Table 9: Control agencies for response
Subject to its regulatory obligations and only if spare capacity permits, Airservices Australia may provide assistance to state agencies in other emergencies that cause or threaten to cause death or injury to persons, damage to property, harm to the environment and disruption to essential services, including:
firefighting services to assist in controlling a fire that is not near a designated aerodrome	3.2, 7.2
first aid services for potential life threatening medical emergencies on or in the vicinity of designated aerodromes	3.2, 14.2
response to vehicle accidents on or in the vicinity of designated aerodromes	3.2
technical advice (remote or in person) to agencies responding to or investigating aircraft fires, accidents and large flammable fuel fires in the State of Victoria	4.5, 4.6
initial hazardous materials response on or in the vicinity of designated aerodromes	3.2, 16.1, 16.7
Through ANS:
undertake actions in accordance with the Airport Emergency Plan at Melbourne, Essendon, Moorabbin and Avalon aerodromes – in addition to the normal control of aircraft and the aircraft movement areas (at various times) at those aerodromes	4.6, 9.4
assist aircraft involved in emergency operations (including but not limited to extra communications, priority handling and track shortening)	3.2, 3.3, 3.5
assist the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre operated by AMSA in the reporting and location of Emergency Locator Transmitters	3.2
designate and assist with the management of temporary aviation Restricted Areas in the vicinity of an emergency operation	9.3
provide an Alerting Post service for aircraft in emergency situations, and notify appropriate agencies and organisations	3.4, 3.5
provide an In-Flight Emergency Response service to aircraft in flight, that need assistance, and that are in communication with Airservices Australia Air Traffic Control	3.4, 3.5
when appropriate, initiate the activation of the relevant Aerodrome Emergency Plan on behalf of the pilot of an aircraft in need of assistance that might reach a licensed aerodrome	3.1

Recovery

Activity	Critical task alignment / activity source
Airservices Australia works with DTP (as lead Government liaison) to deliver the following recovery activities: restore aerodromes to normal activity assist logistics interdependencies, contingencies and reconstruction	3.1, 3.2

Activity

Critical task alignment / activity source

Airservices Australia works with DTP (as lead Government liaison) to deliver the following recovery activities:

restore aerodromes to normal activity
assist logistics interdependencies, contingencies and reconstruction

3.1, 3.2

Assurance and Learning

For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.

Airservices Australia - Role statement