The apparatus used in this event is very new to the Cape May Training Center. The unit is a large self-contained trailer with four fire fighting modules. Each module simulates a different location that can be found on a ship (or Station building). The modules present a fire that would be typical to that location. Examples being a flaming pot within the galley or a trash fire in an office.
The Coast Guard purchased the unit, with its four different fire modules for $98,000. “It will be used for disaster control training of the basic recruits as well providing a fire fighting experience for disaster control specialist candidates from the active duty ranks,” said CWO Tracey Allen, the supervisor of the event.
The Auxiliary participants at NSAR had the distinction of being the very first group to actually use the equipment. Rear Admiral Coogan visited the event and watched the Auxiliary put the four fire modules, and themselves, to the test. “Fantastic work,” she said.
The modules present a real fire in four different simulated situations. The fire modules have sensors that react to the method being used to fight and extinguish the flames. The sensors extinguish the fire when the proper method of firefighting is in evidence. The time to complete the exercise is maintained by the equipment.
A disaster control specialist, namely CWO Tracey Allen, supervised all of the “action.” He briefed the Auxiliary participants with the proper methods to fight the fire in each of the four simulated situations. Each Auxiliarist was the given an opportunity to extinguish each fire and they were scored on method and timing.
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From the NSAR Rule Book:
Fire is the greatest single potential for disaster on a boat. The possibility of fire can never be completely eliminated and is always a threat to watch for and guard against.
Portable extinguishers are used primarily for putting out electrical fires but they are effective on any small fire including burning oil, gasoline, paint, trash and in the galley.
Boat crewmembers must always remember that boat crews are not firefighting professionals. According to the Coast Guard Firefighting Activities Policy, the boat crews are to support firefighting professionals if necessary.
The purpose of this event is to evaluate the crewmember’s ability to successfully extinguish a small fire.
All scenarios have been developed and will be graded using the U.S. Coast Guard Boat Crew Seamanship Manual M14114.5 (series).
Scoring – This event is worth 100 points. The crewmember will be evaluated on the following areas: identifying the type of fire, use of proper safety precautions, operating procedures and extinguishing the fire. Scoring for this event will be based on time. 100 points for 1st place, 90 points for 2nd place, 80 points for 3rd place descending to 20 points for 9th place.
