New Rapid City Regional Airport fire truck

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Airport Fire Truck and Multi-Purpose Building held May 9, 2023

Rapid City Regional Airport is pleased to announce the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new multi-purpose building and airport firefighting truck, which will take place on May 9, 2023.

The new 4,500-square-foot multi-purpose building will initially house airport snow removal equipment. The building will later be available for private leasing to help meet the need for airport business development.

In addition, the airport is also unveiling a brand-new airport firefighting truck. The Oshkosh Stryker is a state-of-the-art vehicle that has been specifically designed to meet the unique challenges of airport firefighting. With its impressive 3,000-gallon water tank, 450lb dry chemical tank, and aircraft piercer, the vehicle is capable of extinguishing even the most challenging aircraft fires quickly.

According to Neill Goodart, Station 8 ARFF Operations Captain "The new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Truck provides reliable firefighting capabilities well above the minimum standard. It was acquired through hard work and coordination between the airport and fire department staff."

Goodart further stated, "The truck helps us to continue to accomplish our mission of providing safe air travel for the citizens in the area. It provides our firefighters with the confidence of knowing that we have the necessary equipment for any aircraft emergency we come across, and that we can count on those capabilities functioning as designed."

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on May 9, 2023 at the Rapid City Regional Airport multi-purpose building, 3890 Cook Hangar Lane, Rapid City SD 57703. The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

All non-badge-holders, including press and public, please meet at Airport Fire Station 8, 4440 Kitty Hawk Rd, Rapid City, SD 57703 at 8:45AM; airport staff will provide a security escort. The ribbon cutting will follow after a brief board meeting.