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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 33 Number 12
August 2006
Effective firefighting requires coordination
Under the watchful eye of trainer Fred Mattera, Winny Baptiste, left, and Dennis O’Connell of the Lady Elaine out of Pigeon Cove harbor practice firefighting using the “buddy system” during a July 14 hands-on safety training seminar sponsored by the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership in Gloucester.
In my last two articles on fires, we discussed the “box theory” of establishing boundaries, knowing where fires may start, the maintenance checks to prevent them, and the importance of protecting your survival gear if, as a last resort, it becomes necessary to abandon ship.
This time we’ll focus on the basic procedures used in firefighting. These procedures are described in terms of multiple crewmembers as are typically found on larger vessels, but many of the basic ideas apply even on boats with just one or two crewmen.
Keep in mind that you need to tailor these basics to your own vessel and that safety always comes first.
Mobilize the crew
When a fire is detected, your first action is to sound the alarm and report the fire location in order to mobilize the crew. Crewmembers should then report to their emergency (muster) station to receive instructions and assignments. Depending on the location and nature of the fire, the captain should initiate a distress call to a nearby vessel and/or the Coast Guard.
Do not attempt to extinguish a fire, however small it may seem, until you sound the alarm. A delay in sounding the alarm can allow a small fire to become a big fire.
Where’s the fire?
A fire’s location may determine the method and procedure you use to extinguish it, so it’s important to know for sure where the fire is.
A fire in an interior living space such as the pilothouse, bunkrooms, or galley is generally obvious if you can see the flames. However, if only smoke is evident, the fire may be hidden behind a wall or bulkhead.
An engine room fire is generally detected first by the sight and smell of smoke. Examine the engine room door or hatch before opening it. Discolored or blistered paint indicates fire close to the door or hatch. Smoke puffing from cracks at the door-seals is another obvious indication.
Feel the door with the back of your hand starting 12" from the door and slowly move toward the door until you can touch it. If it is too hot to even touch, then entering is not an option, but if you can touch the door, open it cautiously because there is always the possibility of backdraft.
Backdraft
A fire burning in an enclosed space consumes the oxygen within that space. The fire is looking for additional oxygen, and a newly opened door gives it a generous supply.
When the door to the space is opened, air is pulled through the opening to feed the fire. This sets the stage for a backdraft situation where flames and superheated gases burst from the compartment with explosive force.
Anyone in a backdraft’s path can be severely burned, so ordering everyone to stand clear of the door you’re about to open and counting to 10 before opening is a cautious approach.
Sizing-up and staging
Size-up is a mental process of evaluating all influencing factors before committing crewmembers and equipment to a course of action. It is an evaluation of the fire situation.
The first crewmembers to arrive at the fire scene should commence the staging process, which involves making several decisions, including who will: fight the fire; obtain the portable fire extinguisher; shut off main engine and fuel supplies, if possible; establish boundaries and secure exterior ventilation to stop airflow to the fire; and set up communication from the fire scene to the pilothouse.
Buddy system
To ensure safety, apply the buddy system and require at least two crewmembers to perform functions together as a team.
One person should not engage in firefighting alone. If something goes wrong, chances are that at least one member of a team will be capable of getting both to safety.
Perhaps more importantly, two minds are better than one, and together they may avoid a dangerous situation.
Means of escape
Never enter a hostile environment without first knowing a reliable escape route. A fire situation is a dynamic event, and many things can occur to change the situation unexpectedly.
The damage caused by a fire can interfere with lighting, hydraulic systems, communication systems, and power supply.
PASS
Begin the actual fire attack as soon as possible to gain immediate control and to prevent or minimize the extension of the fire.
Quickly communicate to crewmen the location and size of the fire in order to inform the captain.
Crewmembers should have extinguishers ready for use, remembering to “PASS:”
P – Pull the pin;
A – Aim low;
S – Squeeze both handles; and
S – Sweep the base of the fire.
One crewmember should apply the extinguishing agent to the base of the fire, while his backup buddy isolates the area by shutting the forepeak door or hatches.
If the fire is electrical, the backup buddy should secure backup lighting and shut down the power source.
If the first crewman’s extinguisher is exhausted, his backup buddy may take his place or hand him his extinguisher and retrieve another.
Always remember this – if the fire gets out of control due to size, excessive heat, or smoke, GET OUT and secure the ventilation to starve the fire of oxygen.
Keep in mind that you always approach and leave a fire facing it. Never turn your back to a fire.
Fire watch
When the fire is out, assign a fire- or reflash-watch. Using the buddy system, the watch should check for reignition every 30 minutes for four or five hours at a minimum and sound the alarm if it occurs.
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