Which two agents are primarily utilized in firefighting?

The use of water and foam as firefighting agents is fundamental to extinguishing a variety of fires, particularly those that are common in aviation environments. Water acts as a cooling agent, lowering the temperature of the burning materials and helping to suppress combustion. It is effective for most classes of fires, excluding flammable liquids and certain electrical fires.

Foam is specifically designed to suppress flammable liquid fires, which are particularly relevant at airports due to the presence of aviation fuels. Foam works by forming a barrier between the fuel and the air, cutting off the supply of oxygen and suppressing the fire. This is crucial in preventing the fire from reigniting and controlling the spread of fire to surrounding areas.

While dry chemical agents and carbon dioxide are important in combating various types of fires, they are typically used in more specialized scenarios rather than the primary means for firefighting at airports. Aspirating nozzles and handlines are tools and methods used in the delivery of water and foam, not firefighting agents themselves. Therefore, the combination of water and foam is the most established and effective approach for handling fire emergencies in aviation firefighting.