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Arff Jobs in Alaska (NOW HIRING)

Arff information

See Alaska salary details

$22.1K

$58.8K

$108.8K

How much do arff jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for arff in Alaska is $58,785.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,100.00 and $78,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ARFF?

An ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) job involves responding to airport emergencies, including aircraft fires, medical incidents, and hazardous material situations. ARFF personnel are specially trained firefighters who work at airports to ensure passenger and crew safety. Their duties include operating firefighting vehicles, performing rescue operations, and conducting fire prevention inspections. They must be prepared to handle high-risk situations quickly and efficiently. This role requires specialized training, physical fitness, and knowledge of aviation-related firefighting techniques.

What does an ARFF do?

A typical day for an ARFF specialist involves inspecting and maintaining firefighting equipment and vehicles, participating in regular training drills, and monitoring airport operations for potential safety hazards. While standby and readiness are key components, ARFF personnel may also conduct fire prevention inspections around airport facilities and provide emergency medical response as needed. Team collaboration is constant, often with airport operations, air traffic control, and local law enforcement. The dynamic environment demands alertness and the ability to adapt quickly to a variety of emergency scenarios. This blend of preventative work and rapid response makes the role both challenging and rewarding for those dedicated to aviation safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the ARFF position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) specialist, you need comprehensive knowledge of firefighting techniques, emergency medical services, and airport safety protocols, generally supported by Firefighter I/II certification and sometimes EMT licensure. Proficiency with specialized rescue equipment, airport communication systems, and hazardous material handling is essential. Strong teamwork, quick decision-making, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this high-pressure environment. These skills and qualifications are vital because ARFF specialists must ensure rapid, coordinated responses to emergencies to protect lives and property in an aviation setting.

What are popular job titles related to Arff jobs in Alaska?

For Arff jobs in Alaska, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Arff job openings in Alaska as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $58,785 per year, or $28.3 per hour.

Airport Technician Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighter (ARFF)

Ketchikan, AK • On-site

$28.35 - $30.54/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Salary: $28.35 - $30.54 Hourly
Location : Ketchikan International Airport, 1000 Airport Terminal Building Suite 10, Ketchikan, AK
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 2026-8.17
Department: Airport
Opening Date: 08/17/2026
Job Description
$28.35-$30.54 /hour starting salary, depending on qualifications
Responsible for performing a variety of tasks requiring skilled and semi-skilled abilities involved in the operation, maintenance and improvement of airport roads , structures and related facilities under the general supervision of the Operations Manager and for performing Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), emergency medical response and all other duties required by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part 139 regulations.
Examples of Duties
  • Operate a variety of airport maintenance equipment including trucks, front-end loaders, graders, snow plows, forklifts, sweepers, spreaders, aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicles, boilers and various other equipment.
  • Repair runway/taxiway and associated systems, roads, bridges, culverts, docks and other airport facilities such as buildings, equipment and signs.
  • Perform general and skilled maintenance and repairs to buildings and systems that may involve painting, sandblasting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
  • Perform snow/ice removal and control operations using snow/ice removal and control equipment and materials.
  • Operate manual and power hand tools including saws, jack hammers, pumps, brush cutters, generators, compressors, welders and various other equipment.
  • Perform minor equipment repairs and maintenance and provide assistance to the equipment mechanics.
  • Provide the primary response to emergencies at the airport involving disabled aircraft or other life threatening situations.
  • Apply trained rescue and lifesaving emergency medical procedures for the health and benefit of the general public at the airport.
  • Work with other unit members to analyze the extent of an emergency and determine an appropriate course of action.
  • Operate specialized aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicles including the use of specialized rescue procedures, materials and tools.
  • Provide required primary aircraft rescue and firefighting coverage for scheduled air carrier operations at the airport.
  • Respond to structural fires and rescue of endangered persons in the terminal or other airport facilities.
  • Pursue and ensure satisfactory completion of any necessary initial and recurrent ARFF and emergency medical training as provided by the Borough.
  • Issue and cancel Notices to Airmen regarding airfield surface conditions, obstructions or lighting problems.
  • Perform surface friction measurements on all aircraft movement areas during freezing weather.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES:
  • Provide instruction to other employees of this or a similar job classification in all aspects of procedure and technique relating to the duties required by this job description unless such instruction requires a specialized certification which the employee doing the training does not have.
  • Perform related other duties as directed by the Operations Manager.
  • Serve as Acting Operations Manager as assigned by the Airport Manager.
  • Serve as temporary airport lead person, as assigned by the Airport Manager.

Qualifications
Knowledge of use of various power tools, including jack hammers, saws, etc. Ability to operate and assist in the routine maintenance of heavy equipment and vehicles in all types of weather. Ability to perform all assigned manual labor tasks, both skilled and unskilled, under rigorous conditions. Physical stamina and endurance. Must have a minimum of forty (40) hours of emergency medical training and be certifiable by the State of Alaska as an Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) or willingness to pursue ETT training and obtain ETT certification at the earliest opportunity. Required attendance at training sessions in ARFF and emergency medical procedures. Out of state travel may be required. Willingness to cooperate with others and perform the various job related duties as assigned. Ability to follow oral and written directions, willingness to apply himself/herself, and ability to remain current on airport geography, facilities, systems and procedures.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
  • Must be able to hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, power tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch; and taste or smell. Each of the listed activities also requires standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing on stools and ladders, and routinely lift and carry items and boxes up to fifty (50) pounds.
  • Ability to drive vehicles. Physically capable of performing emergency medical assistance while applying Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS) procedures. Ability to transport a victim in an emergency. Physically capable of operating emergency equipment such as quicky-saws, extrication equipment, cutting axes and tools, and SCBA equipment. Ability to rapidly negotiate steps and ladders to the top of the ARFF vehicles and be able to lift and rapidly deploy and place in service at least 300 feet of fire hose without assistance. Ability to rapidly transport, erect, and climb fire extension ladders used in fire and other emergency rescue responses while in full turnout protective clothing and equipment. Ability to rapidly climb at least five flights of stairs while carrying one fifty-foot section of two-and-one-half inch fire hose.

Requirements
LICENSES:
  • Valid State of Alaska driver's license with an acceptable driving record
  • Current CPR (or BLS) card. ETT certification within 1 year of hire.
  • Within one year of hire, and periodically thereafter as required: Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting per FAA FAR §139.319

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
  • High school diploma. Rescue and emergency medical training preferred.
  • Two (2) years of facility maintenance experience strongly desired.

Any combination of related education and/or related experience will be considered if the candidate possesses the demonstrated ability.
KGB employees in the Alaska Public Employees Association (APEA) Bargaining Unit can find information through the following links:
• Participation in the Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS);
• Health, vision and dental benefits provided by the Borough through Meritain Health effective the first of the month following your start date. The premium associated with health benefits are $25 per pay period, however, the Borough encourages participation in the Healthy Merits Wellness Program, which allows each covered employee to "buy back" the anticipated premium through wellness participation.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued at a rate of 176 hours or 22 days per year for the first two years and thereafter at higher levels set out in the Borough Code (KGBC 3.30.030).
• Eleven paid holidays every year and two annual floating holidays.