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Garfield County adds full-time ARFF operations specialist for airport safety and coverage
Summary
The board approved creation of a full-time aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) operations specialist position to extend airport coverage (proposed 7 a.m.–7 p.m. daily), reduce overtime, and address staffing risks during heavy operations; staff said projected airport revenues will cover the cost.
Airport Director Sam Carver asked the board to approve an additional full-time airport operations/ARFF specialist position at the county airport, citing safety and staffing risks during peak operation days. Carver said the airport currently relies on overtime and on-call staffing; adding the position would expand regular coverage to roughly 7 a.m.–7 p.m., seven days a week, and eliminate much overtime except during extreme weather.
Carver told commissioners that recent heavy-operation days nearly exposed the airport to closure risk after a staff member took vacation during a high-traffic weekend. He said 2025 operations days had run as high as 204 and 280 flights on busy days, and that revenue projections and upcoming rate increases would cover the new position. Finance staff told the board payroll-year carrybacks are unlikely to cover substantial savings but supported the request given projected revenue and reduced overtime costs.
Commissioners voted to add the position and approve the associated budget supplement for airport funds; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Why it matters: The addition is framed as a public-safety and operations matter — keeping the runway open during weather and high-demand periods — and is charged to the airport's self-supporting fund rather than general county revenues.
Next steps: Airport staff will begin recruitment and incorporate the new position in upcoming rate-justification materials presented to the board.
