Shipboard Firefighting Training

provided in classroom and aboard ship

by Marine Firefighting Inc.

for the Firefighters of Ventura County, California

Click on camera to view photos

During a break in the 2-days of classroom sessions the instructor, Tom Guldner, answers questions of students who attended this 3-day event. Chief Rod Megle and Chief Mike Estrada of Ventura County Fire Rescue realized the benefit of this marine firefighting training and contacted MFI to provide the information needed for the safety of their Firefighters. Many Departments disregard the great need to insure their Firefighters are prepared for a ship fire. This is even more important since September 11, 2001 do to the very real threat of a terrorist attack on our nations ports and shipping.

Click on camera to view photos

Pictured is the president of Marine Firefighting Inc., Tom Guldner as he stands on the bridge of a refrigerated "Break Bulk" carrier. The Port of Hueneme in Ventura County, California has several of these complex vessels unloading produce and then picking up other commodities for the return trip. Tom is explaining how the bridge is the command and control center of any vessel. Land based firefighters should make themselves aware of the many benefits of setting up one of their command posts on the bridge. In fact one of the first chief officers should report immediately to this very important location.

Click the camera again to see the next photo.

A "Break Bulk" carrier is identified by the manner in which its cargo is stowed aboard. That cargo comes "packaged" as opposed to the loose dry cargo in a "Dry Bulk" carrier. The "Break Bulker" is the modern version of what we all may know as the old style "freighter". It can carry many different types of cargo on multiple decks. In some cases these decks can be placed at different levels. These "tween decks" are what makes this vessel unique.

The photo on the left shows some of these "Tween" levels. On this vessel the "Tween decks" could be opened or closed in an accordion fashion. Other vessels deploy these intermediate decks in other ways. Safety is stressed throughout the classroom portion of the seminar as well as aboard the ship for our familiarization visit. There are many areas aboard any vessel that could present an immediate hazard to your Firefighters.

Is your Department informed about the dangers aboard vessels visiting your port? Click the camera again to see the next photo.

In addition to the hazards associated with the refrigerant used aboard this vessel there was another hazard involving something else used to retard the ripening of its cargo of bananas. After the cargo holds were filled with produce and sealed closed, they were flooded with nitrogen gas. This gas would displace the oxygen in the hold which would prevent the bananas from over-ripening on their long voyage. The nitrogen would also kill anyone entering this hold without self-contained breathing apparatus. Your Firefighters need this information if you expect them to operate safely at a ship fire.

The tour below deck included many instructions about the vessel features which could either help or hinder your firefighting operation.The importance of seeking the advice of knowledgeable crew members was stressed. You will be operation in an environment that is unfamiliar to your Firefighters. This training will not make you professional mariners but it may save a life at a ship fire. Ventura County Fire & Rescue has taken the initiative in providing the information their Firefighters need.

Remember, the Coast guard will not fight marine fires. It will be up to Municipal Fire Departments.

Here Tom points out one of the many CO2 nozzles aboard which could be used in the event of a fire in one of the cargo holds. Each hold could be flooded with the extinguishing gas from a remote location. Proper use of this system might be the difference between an easy fire operation and one which would require your Firefighters to stretch a hoseline down into a very punishing fire. Our class stressed the importance of knowing the proper procedures which must be followed if the CO2 operation will be a success. The dangers of operating in or near a CO2 flooded cargo hold or engine room were also discussed.

Whether you have a Fireboat or not, is your Department ready to handle a large scale ship fire? Even gaining access for your apparatus may be a problem. If the Incident Command System (ICS) is not initiated immediately you may loose control of this very large and demanding operation.

Contact Marine Firefighting Inc. today to set up your date for our seminar about

"Marine Firefighting for the Land Based Firefighter "

Thanks to the Ventura County California Fire Rescue for realizing the importance of this seminar and for providing their Firefighters with the information they will need to operate safely at a fire aboard a ship in their jurisdiction.

Be Safe! Email us today to set up a date for your seminar.

Marine Firefighting Inc.

MarineFires@aol.com