Public Safety

The St. Joseph County Airport Authority Department of Public Safety provides South Bend International Airport with fire and police services along with Emergency Medical Services (EMS). All officers are trained in all three disciplines and provide these services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are proud to provide a safe and secure environment for the airport stakeholders.

In addition to state criminal statutes, the Department enforces local airport ordinances while complying with and supporting TSA’s federal regulations under TSR 1542. Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) is mandated by FAR FAA Part 139 regulations for commercial service airports.

Prior to 1980, SBN’s maintenance and security team handled ARFF duties. The Department was officially formed in 1980 handling ARFF, EMS, and airport operations duties. It wasn’t until 1988 that full law enforcement duties were added to their scope of operations. In 2000 the airport operations duties were moved to a separate, newly-formed department. The St. Joseph County Airport Authority Department of Public Safety is unique in providing fire, EMS, and law enforcement duties.

SBN is proud of and fortunate to have a live-fire training facility located on the northwest corner of the airfield. Live fire training is required annually for all ARFF personnel by the FAA under FAR Part 139.319. This training takes place each spring.

Does this sound like a career for you? Interested candidates must have or be able to obtain Fire Fighter I & II, Basic ARFF, Indiana Tier I Law Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certifications. Openings are posted here when they are available.