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Hcf controller described a ATC initiated go around event when a fire truck was observed near the landing runway with no communications with any tower controller position; the reporter suggesting additional training is necessary for the fire department.

Narrative:

Previous in-flight emergency was being handled with an F-15 barrier engagement on runway 4R. While the emergency aircraft was being tended to; arrivals resumed on runway 8L. A B717 was landing on runway 8L; in the touch-down flare; when I observed a fire truck appear from behind and to the left side of the aircraft. The vehicle had not asked for any clearance on my frequency for access to runway 8L. I immediately asked the ground controller if he was talking to the vehicle and I pointed out the window to highlight it. He responded; no. The truck continued eastbound along the north edge of the runway in the chevron area without any further communications with either local control or ground control. The B717 exited the runway without incident or comment to either local control or ground control. The next arrival was a B747 on a 2-3 mile final. Since there was no communications with the truck; and I was not sure of the intentions; I initiated a go-around for the B747. There was a departure on runway 8R; 2/C17's departing. The go-around had to be separated from these two aircraft. In the midst of these actions; I lost sight of the fire truck and it was later observed by other tower personnel holding short of the runway with other arff vehicles. The B747 arrived later without incident. Brief the arff of proper routes for ingress and egress of the airport operations area.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: HCF Controller described a ATC initiated go around event when a Fire Truck was observed near the landing runway with no communications with any tower controller position; the reporter suggesting additional training is necessary for the fire department.

Narrative: Previous in-flight emergency was being handled with an F-15 Barrier engagement on Runway 4R. While the emergency aircraft was being tended to; arrivals resumed on Runway 8L. A B717 was landing on Runway 8L; in the touch-down flare; when I observed a fire truck appear from behind and to the left side of the aircraft. The vehicle had not asked for any clearance on my frequency for access to Runway 8L. I immediately asked the Ground Controller if he was talking to the vehicle and I pointed out the window to highlight it. He responded; no. The truck continued eastbound along the north edge of the runway in the chevron area without any further communications with either Local Control or Ground Control. The B717 exited the runway without incident or comment to either Local Control or Ground Control. The next arrival was a B747 on a 2-3 mile final. Since there was no communications with the truck; and I was not sure of the intentions; I initiated a go-around for the B747. There was a departure on Runway 8R; 2/C17's departing. The go-around had to be separated from these two aircraft. In the midst of these actions; I lost sight of the fire truck and it was later observed by other tower personnel holding short of the runway with other ARFF vehicles. The B747 arrived later without incident. Brief the ARFF of proper routes for ingress and egress of the Airport Operations Area.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.