What does the control time in ARFF refer to?

• A. The total response time to the incident
• B. The amount of time taken to prepare the equipment
• C. The time to extinguish 90% of the fire
• D. The elapsed time from dispatch to arrival

Answer: (C)

Control time in Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) specifically refers to the time taken to extinguish 90% of the fire. This metric is crucial for measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of firefighting operations in emergency situations, especially in the context of aircraft incidents.

Understanding control time is important as it helps fire officers and responders gauge their performance and readiness in real-life scenarios. By focusing on the speed with which the majority of a fire can be subdued, ARFF teams can strategize better, allocate resources effectively, and ultimately save lives and property.

The other options, while related to various aspects of emergency response, do not specifically define control time. Total response time includes all phases from alert to arrival; the time taken to prepare equipment focuses solely on readiness without addressing fire extinguishment; and the elapsed time from dispatch to arrival measures response efficiency but does not reflect the firefighting performance once on scene.