VIDEO: Tulsa International Airport (TIA) has upgraded its phone system to alert first responders in the event of an emergency.
It’s called a crash phone system.
TIA firefighters told FOX23 they’ve waited a long time for this new system. It costs around $100,000, and firefighters said the equipment is vital.
“Time is of the essence when upgrading the system,” said TIA Fire Chief Mark Stuckey. “It allows a faster response time.”
Stuckey added that the phone typically rings 10 to 12 times a month.
“Any type of emergency, it can be anything from medical emergency on an aircraft ... to an indicator light for gear not coming down safely,” he explained. “It can be an engine malfunction, hydraulic problem ... there’s all sorts of emergencies. Very rarely is it a fire on an aircraft because commercial jets nowadays are very safe.”
Stuckey explained that TIA’s old crash phone was a two wire system and much slower.