According to an internal memorandum issued by the Lakeland Fire Department last week, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the Lakeland Fire Department will be adding an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting truck and one (1) personnel to its response matrix for aircraft emergencies at the Lakeland Linder International Airport. This will result in two (2) trucks and two (2) emergency personnel solely dedicated to the airport at all times.
When Lakeland’s airport began providing aircraft emergency services in 2007, it did so with one truck and two personnel (as explained in the attached 2007 media article). Since the permanent Lakeland Fire Station 7 officially opened in 2015, there has only been one staff member and one truck solely dedicated to the airport.
Lakeland Linder International Airport has been operating within federal guidelines, as 14 CFR Part 139 focuses on vehicles, and not the associated staffing. Due to future scheduled Avelo Airline departures from Lakeland, only during certain times the airport index would increase, resulting in the need for more than one truck. The airport has decided to maintain the additional truck and staff member around the clock, 24/7.
Local 4173 Union President Shannon Turbeville has stated: “We applaud our Fire Chief and the Lakeland Linder International Airport administration for working together to exceed the federal regulations. Common sense says that one Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting truck with one personnel might be an issue at a significant incident involving a cargo aircraft, or a passenger aircraft with 150 passengers. This will significantly increase the extinguishing agent immediately available, and add another set of hands that’s solely dedicated to the safety of Lakeland International.”
KLAL KSUX.