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ARFF Radio Call Signs

AIM ¶ 6-5-2 — ARFF Radio Call Signs

AIM 6-5-2: Learn the preferred ARFF Incident Commander radio call sign format used with flight crews and ATCT during airport emergencies.

In Plain English

AIM 6-5-2 establishes the preferred radio call sign for the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Incident Commander (IC) when talking with the flight crew and the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) during an airport emergency.

The standard format is:

  • "(Location/Facility) Command"

Examples given in the AIM:

  • LAX Command
  • Washington Command

Why this matters operationally:

  • It gives flight crews and controllers an instantly recognizable identifier for the on-scene fire/rescue boss during a high-stress event.
  • It separates ARFF coordination traffic from normal ATC call signs, reducing confusion on shared frequencies.
  • As a pilot, knowing this convention helps you quickly understand who is directing ground rescue efforts and to whom you should pass critical information (souls on board, fuel remaining, hazards, evacuation status).

Note that the AIM is informational guidance, not a regulation — but this call sign convention is the recommended standard across U.S. airports.

AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 6-5-2
6-5-2. 6-5-2. Radio Call Signs Preferred radio call sign for the ARFF IC is “(location/facility) Command ” when communicating with the flight crew and the FAA ATCT. EXAMPLE- LAX Command. Washington Command.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is the preferred radio call sign for the ARFF Incident Commander?
Per AIM 6-5-2, the preferred call sign is '(location/facility) Command,' for example 'LAX Command' or 'Washington Command.'
Q2With whom does the ARFF IC use this call sign?
Per AIM 6-5-2, the ARFF IC uses the '(location) Command' call sign when communicating with the flight crew and the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT).
Q3If you hear 'LAX Command' on the frequency during an emergency, who is speaking?
Per AIM 6-5-2, that is the ARFF Incident Commander at Los Angeles, using the standard '(location/facility) Command' call sign format.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 6
6-5-1
Discrete Emergency Frequency
6-5-3
ARFF Emergency Hand Signals
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AIM 6-5-2 — ARFF Command Radio Call Signs