New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Brian Higgins and New York State Assemblymember Monica Wallace helped the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority open its new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

"Today marks another milestone in the emergence of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport as a major aviation hub and driver of economic growth in Western New York," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who took part in this morning's ribbon cutting. "This outstanding new facility aids first responders in their task of protecting passengers and the public, and it positions the airport for future expansion and success."

Congressman Brian Higgins said, "The airport is an active facility that serves a growing passenger base from Western New York, Southern Ontario and all who visit the region.  This new aircraft rescue and firefighting facility provides first responders with state-of-the-art resources and training capabilities to best serve the needs of the airport today."

Kimberley A. Minkel, NFTA executive director said, "This is an exciting day for us, the opening of the new ARFF facility will improve safety for the flying public and support the ongoing growth and expansion at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Brian Higgins as well as our local elected officials and business and community partners for their continued and valuable support."

The new 24,000 square foot firehouse replaces a 45-year-old facility. Design advances better prepare the airport’s 40 fire fighters for fire protection and prevention, hazardous material response, airport communications, employee safety training, and all emergency medical responses. The facility includes a new training area for emergency responders, additional vehicle storage bays to enhance maintenance and care of trucks, and is located closer to the terminal and runways to improve emergency response times, and reduce runway crossings. The facility had a price tag of approximately 12 million dollars, with most of the funding coming from a passenger facility charge, the NFTA, Federal Aviation Administration entitlement funds, and a New York State FAA matching fund.

In the past two years, the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting team responded to 1,082 emergency calls, 65 of those were aircraft emergences.