DFW International Airport's Fire Training Research Center Partners with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Curriculum

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Aug 19, 2013, 06:26 ET

World-class fire training facility and top aviation university offering college credit for training

DFW AIRPORT, Texas, Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Worldwide, the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, have formally signed an agreement that will enhance training and degree opportunities for firefighters in the U.S. and abroad, by providing college credit for training classes at the Airport's Fire Training and Research Center.

The DFW Airport Fire Training and Research Center (FTRC) is one of the world's top facilities for aircraft rescue firefighting training and research. The center re-opened earlier this year after a $29 million dollar expansion and reinvestment project which has enhanced the facility's real world training and high value research capabilities by adding new interactive curriculum, classroom space, a new control center, new burn pits and the only Airbus A380 mockup trainer in the United States.

"The Fire Training Research Center at DFW Airport is proud to partner with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on aircraft rescue firefighting training and curriculum," said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW Airport. "Embry-Riddle students gain real-world knowledge and hand-on training that will share best practices around the world and result in safer communities."

"The Embry-Riddle Fire Science Team has been working with the Dallas/Fort Worth Fire Training Research Center for some time now, and we really are excited about this unique partnership. Now firefighters who are already training at the center can get Embry-Riddle credit toward a bachelor's degree in fire science," said Dr. Ron Wakeham, fire science department chair at Embry-Riddle Worldwide. "Over the years, the role of fire department leadership and administration has evolved – reaching beyond the traditional firefighting role. Our bachelor's degree will help prepare firefighters to become professionals academically equipped to lead today's modern fire department."

The agreement, which was signed earlier this month, calls for the two entities to partner in curriculum review. It will also encourage other collaborative efforts including research to advance scientific knowledge in the fire and emergency services disciplines. Embry-Riddle, which has a Fire Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) recognized program through the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy, will accept specific course credits from the center and apply them toward a bachelor's degree in fire science.

Since it first opened in 1995, the DFW FTRC has trained nearly 17,000 students from 31 countries and 39 U.S. states in a variety of course offerings such as aircraft and structural fire suppression, incident management, aircraft rescue and firefighting, emergency vehicle operations and vehicle mass applications.

The Center now features an Airbus A380 mockup to teach students how to handle modern ultra-large fuselage aircraft. Other features in the Fire Training Research Center include:

A liquid hydrocarbon burn pit that uses environmentally compliant fuels to train firefighters on the behavior characteristics of a jet fuel spill and fire (Liquid hydrocarbons burn 98% cleaner than Jet A or Jet B fuels)
A two-story training command center for full observation and control of training exercises
A large state-of-the-art classroom facility with 3D simulation technology providing the ability to visually and virtually train for any airport in the world
A new multi-purpose road connecting the FTRC to DFW Airport runways and taxiways, to allow active aircraft onto the facility for training and research
A new galley area to allow for onsite meals, increasing the efficiency and value proposition of the center

About DFW International Airport

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's fourth busiest, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and serving 58 million passengers a year. DFW provides nonstop service to 148 domestic and 52 international destinations worldwide. For seven consecutive years, DFW has ranked among the top ten large airports worldwide for customer service in surveys conducted by Airports Council International. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, visit www.dfwairport.com.

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 40 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., and through the Worldwide Campus with more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and www.facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.

(re)defining DFW International Airport

DFW International Airport's $2.3 billion Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP) is (re)defining first class for this global gateway. For the latest details regarding TRIP, log on to www.dfwairport.com/redefine.

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SOURCE DFW International Airport