AFD has had a presence at Bergstrom since cargo operations started in 1998, even before the facility opened for commercial air travel, with the Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue (AFR) station.

AFD firefighters assigned to the station have met stringent federal and state training, certification and equipment standards for aircraft and airport firefighting, in addition to the standard firefighting and medical certifications that all AFD firefighters possess.

Beyond simply responding to a plane crash or other large-scale emergency on airport grounds, AFR crews also provide medical first response, respond to other calls such as alarm activations, as well as fire prevention services to air travelers and clients of the aviation industry which includes inspecting fuel farms, fuel trucks and commercial sites.