FIRE MARSHAL

Large ships, such as aircraft carriers, may have a fire marshal assigned. The fire marshal is an assistant to the engineer officer. The duty of the fire marshal is to help the DCA prevent and fight fires. The fire marshal must be thoroughly familiar with the following documents:

1. Gas Free Engineering, Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 074, volume 3

2. Practical Damage Control, Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 079, volume 2

3. Fire-fighting Ship, Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 9930

4. Ship's instructions

5. Ship's plans

6. Ship's compartmentation

The fire marshall should conduct daily inspections throughout the ship, paying particular attention to good housekeeping, fire equipment, and fire and safety hazards.

The fire marshal reports fire hazards and recommends corrective action. These reports are submitted to the DCA with copies to the XO and appropriate department heads. A follow-up inspection should be made to ensure that corrective action has been taken.

The fire marshall should also carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Train the ship's fire teams, rescue and assistance teams, and DDCPOs.

2. Prior to overhauls or major repair availabilities, set up and train a ship's fire-watch team and make their assignments.

3. Take charge at the scene until relieved at general quarters. Keep DCC or the OOD informed of the exact status of the situation.

DIVISION OFFICER

The division officer takes all practicable preventive measures before damage occurs. This includes maintenance of the ship's watertight and airtight integrity, removal of fire hazards, and maintenance of emergency equipment. This is done by making daily inspections of divisional spaces and equipment to verify that they are maintained in the best possible condition. The following publications are helpful to the officer conducting these checks.

1. Practical Damage Control, Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 079, volume 2

2. Inspections, Tests, Records, and Reports, Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 090

3. Lighting, Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 330

4. Fire-fighting Ship, Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 9930

5. General Specifications for Ships of the U.S. Navy, chapter 602

Most of these checks and inspections are done by the DDCPO, who is discussed next. Any discrepancies that the DDCPOs cannot correct should be reported to the division officer. Any discrepancies the division officer cannot correct should be referred to the DCA. The DDCPO conducts most of the checks, but the division officers are still responsible for visual inspections of their spaces.

DEPARTMENTAL DAMAGE CON-TROL CHIEF PETTY OFFICER

On large ships, a departmental damage control chief petty officer (DDCPO) will be assigned. The DDCPO assists the DCA by carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Coordinate the relieving, qualifying, and training of the divisional damage control petty officers (DCPOs) within the department.

2. Inform the DCA and fire marshal of any changes of personnel assigned as DCPO.

3. Ensure that the DCPOs are performing their duties.

4, Perform other duties as directed by the DCA, the fire marshal, and the type commander.