The NFTA is recruiting for a crucial department -- the Buffalo Niagara International Airport Fire Department. It’s a specialized team that responds to aviation incidents.

Applications are due August 18 and the written exam is on September 9.

Chief William Major says the next steps is the physical agility side, which includes sit ups, pushups and running one and a half miles. After that come the interviews. 

Chief Major says the fire department provides a safety element for the airport and aircrafts and without the department the aircraft can’t land. He says the size of the airport requires them to be here 24/7.

“The services we provide are specialty services,” Chief Major said. “My firefighters not only need to know all of the structural pieces of it, they need to know the different variety of aircraft that come in here. We have commercial aircraft, we have general aviation aircraft, we have cargo aircraft. We have the dignitaries; president, vice president, the NFL teams, NHL teams, there is a lot of commerce and people that come through this airport that we are responsible as part of the team to provide their safety should something happen."

Currently the department is looking to fill two positions, but the chief says the list of qualifying people will last for a couple of years. You can find out more on how to apply at NFTA.com.