LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

1. Describe the basic reports and logs used by work center supervisors.

2. Identify the primary sources of technical and non-technical job-related information.

Throughout your career as a Fire Controlman, you will be involved with receiving and passing on job-related information. The bulk of that information will be contained in reports, logs, and formal publications. This chapter discusses the reports, logs, and publications of importance to you.

Reports and logs are bywords in general administration, without which the performance of many functions would be nearly impossible. As a Fire Controlman, you will be involved with either creating or maintaining various administrative reports and logs in such areas as supervision and assignments, space upkeep and cleanliness, supply and logistics, funding allocation, and tool, consumables, and equipage procurement.

Job-related publications are excellent for discovering new techniques in troubleshooting and testing equipment, obtaining updates on safety procedures, and increasing your knowledge of electronics. These publications are very important to every Fire Controlman technician. Therefore, they must be maintained correctly and updated promptly.

As a Fire Controlman technician or supervisor, you have the responsibility for properly applying the information contained in this chapter and for enhancing your administrative skills. As a work center supervisor, you should ensure that your technicians are aware of the procedures for maintaining and updating various information sources (publications) of importance to them.

REPORTS AND LOGS

Reports and logs, like inspections, are "necessary evils" to the technician. Without reports and an accountability system, maintenance and repair would be almost impossible. There would be no way to maintain supply support for equipment, and no way to know what equipment is on board, its quantity, or location.

This section discusses some of the more important reports and logs you will use.

GETTING UNDERWAY REPORTS

Getting underway reports are also known as "pre-underway check-off lists" or equipment status reports. The Department Head or Combat Systems/ Weapons Officer is normally responsible for turning in this report before the ship gets underway. Normally there will be a check-off list of equipment and events that need to be done 72-hours, 48-hours, 24-hours, 12-hours, etc. before your ship's underway time. These reports are usually locally generated forms and therefore their content and format may vary among commands. You may be asked to furnish information about the equipment in your work center or about such diverse areas as major systems status, estimated time of repair, power outages, and minimum discernible signal (MDS) readings from radars. You will also be required to initial or sign your name on this check-off list to verify your equipment status. Therefore, it is important that you give timely and accurate information so that your ship can get underway without any delays.