Airlines jet saw a landmark in how the Island handles such emergencies.

For the Airport Fire Department is now completely Bermudianised and its new head handled the emergency.

Yesterday saw the official hand over of the fire services from Canadian Dick Sadler to 35-year-old Bermudian Daryl Bean.

In a ceremony addressed by the Minister of Transport Ewart Brown, Airport general manager Jack Gordon and Serco contract manager Ed Montgomery, the 19 firemen and women who make up the department saw the vital department run by a Bermudian for the first time.

Last night senior airport fire officer Daryl Bean was modest about his achievement but keenly aware of its significance.

He said: "It's a good day for the Airport community as a whole. Of course for me personally it is good but we look at it from a larger aspect of our community.'' Mr. Bean added: "The whole fire department is now Bermudianised.'' Mr. Bean has been a firefighter for 18 years from when he started with the US Navy in 1981. He received emergency medical technician training in California.

His specialist training continued with certificates in Airport fire fighting, fire officer, inspector, instructor, Space Shuttle rescue and hazardous materials.

Airport Fire Department is still part of Serco Ltd.'s contract and is separate from the Bermuda Fire Service. It alone is responsible for aircraft emergencies, although there is cooperation between the airport crews, the BFS, and the St. George's FD.