What is the primary reason for providing airport rescue and firefighting services?

Providing airport rescue and firefighting services is primarily focused on saving lives. This is crucial in the unique environment of an airport, where the potential for emergencies, such as aircraft accidents or fuel fires, is heightened due to the presence of large aircraft, hazardous materials, and a high volume of people. The primary mission of these specialized services is to respond rapidly to incidents to protect passengers, crew, and airport personnel, aiming to minimize injuries and fatalities.

While maintaining airport infrastructure, complying with regulations, and ensuring efficient aircraft operations are important aspects of airport management, they are secondary to the primary goal of life preservation. Airport rescue and firefighting units are equipped and trained specifically to handle emergencies quickly and effectively, demonstrating that the overarching priority is to safeguard lives in critical situations where every second counts.