Section 7 Organisation and Techniques Page 144 RAISING THE ALARM ‘The reader should already be familiar with the previous mentioned Fire Safety Objectives and Functional Requirements (page 2): Operational Readiness (page 4); the vessels Contingency Plans (page 7) Classification of Fires (page 16) and Extinguishing Media (pages 18-26) ‘Taking the correct intial actions in the early stages of a fre, whilst itis still small, wll maximise the chances of successfully extinguishing it. Remember, even the biggest fres started as a single flame. Large fires will probably have once been small, but grew because they were not tackled, or were not correctly tackled in the early stages. pee] Everyone on board should not be in any doubt about the following: + Action to be taken on discovering a fire + Action to be taken on hearing the alarm + Knowing where firefighting equipment is kept + Knowing how to use it effectively + Awareness of your own and other's safety during fire fighting Very offen its the actions ofthe person discovering a fre that can make the difference between a small blaze {quickly extinguished and a catastrophic fre which could lead to the loss of the ship, or even to loss of life ‘Analysis shows that in many cases large fres result from incorrect or delayed crew responses. Crew training ‘should include permitting them, if safe to do so, to respond to a the situation on their own initiative. “Fires always happen to others, never to me", isa very common misconception. ‘The first reaction when discovering a fire is usually one of shock or disbelief. Without training this can lead to actions which are instinctive and often incorrect. ‘Common instinctive actions are to: + run away leaving doors open run into the compartment without fre fighting equipment and attempt to stamp ‘out the burning material Ifthe person discovering a fire becomes a casually, effectively no-one has discovered the fre, which will continue to grow and spread unchecked until someone else responds in a correct manner. ‘You may discover a fire anywhere by seeing, smelling or hearing it. if you do find a fre: 4. think about the correct procedure for raising the alarm 2. stay calm Panic will affect your ability o act effectively and may frighten others unnecessarily. RAISING THE ALARM ‘Shout “FIRE, FIRE, FIRE", and give its location ‘+ Bang on doors in case people are asleep, but do not open doors as this may allow smoke in unnecessarily + Operate a near-by Fire Alarm Call Point + Inform the bridge or other control contre ‘+ When informing the bridge or control centre state: + the location of the fre + the type offre + the size of fire 8 See ru‘Section 7 Organisation and Techniques, Page 148 RESPONSIBILITIES and ORGANISATION THE ci ‘The responsibilities of the command team mean that idealty it will comprise a number of persons, but because ‘of limited manpower this fs often not possible. Each vessel must decide who to appoint so that various ‘emergency situations roles are filed and in some circumstances this may be only one or two people. Responsibilties of the command team include: ‘+ keeping overall control of the various parties ‘monitoring the event and assessing the effectiveness of the response ‘accounting for the whereabouts of all persons on board recording times, events and communications manoeuvring the vessel as most appropriate forthe situation ‘monitoring the vessel's stability and assessing the free surface effect of any water used in fire fighting ‘of any water ingress as a result of damage oO ‘+ collating and disseminating information from and to all concerned parties ‘+ communicating with other vessels and the rescue services Contingency must be made for an ateratve venue from which the command team may operate should the chosen poston be inaccessible, The possibilty must also be recogniethat ong more persons from the ‘command team may themselves become casualties, so key Aw substities ust be clearly identified ‘beforehand and suitably trained. . LEADERSHIP OY + Take charge of the situation s + Koop the whole picture in mind. Do not focus ovSrinte 6 on Sy pect or detail + Give orders in a clear and concise merinersbit itt hysierig'S panic + Listen to advice, but do not allow: igumerit Ww + Bo flexible and continually reassess thes theltiuation, meget allow this to be interpreted as Indecisiveness é + The organisation must befeuch that tows ‘as Ieader becoming a casualty. Key person substitutes ‘must be cleatyidenified beforcheyidr and suitably trained + Leadership of indivival parties ay vary With the crcumstance. An engineer may lead a pety in a ‘machinery space, whilst deé officer may lead the party in other situations + Delegate specif duties fay be required: eg. “You prepare lifeboats 2 and 4° + The overall commande#ér team leader must not take on tasks which inhibit their ability to Keep in view the whole picture, or which lim thelr ably to ‘lead’ ‘+ When itis necessary for the commander to give drections these should be routed through the team leaders and not directly to the team members DECISION SUPPORT FOR MASTERS (SOLAS 1/29) All passenger ships must have on the bridge a decision support system for emergency management. As a minimum the system should consist of a printed emergency plan or plans, identi all foreseeable emergency situations, including, but not ited 0, + fe; damage to ship; pollution; Unlawful acts threatening the safety ofthe ship andthe eecurty ofits passengers and craw, personnel accidents cargo-telated accidents: and ‘emergency assistance to other ships. 8 “Agee rr stSection 7 Organisation and Techniques Page 148, ‘+ Behaviour ofthe fire ~ has it spread beyond the section where it broke out? Can the vessel contain / extinguish the fre? Can the burning compartment(s) be contained from the outside? Have any persons been injured? Impact of the fire on the vessel, particulary its safety critical functions? Do prevailing conditions and circumstances affect the severity of the situation? What has been done to control the situation? Were they successful? \What ongoing measures are required to control the fire and are they sustainable? Is assistance required and is it immediately availabilty? Following here are some of the fire situations that may occur on board and the basic response actions that may bbe required. These are general statements and should be modified to sult particular vessels and situations, as required, The order in which the actions are listed may vary according the particular situation. Responses to fres {in passenger accommodation, vehic'e decks, machinery spaces, etc. may vary. The required response at sea or ‘alongside may also vary. Guidelines relating to the responses detailed for this vessel should be found in Section ‘9 (Ship Specific Details) ‘The method of attack may be direct or indirect or both depending on the nature’ot the fire. Direct attack ifthe fre is not well developed it may be possible to reach the seat ofthe fre with extinguishers or hoses, A direct attack on a fre further advanced in its development wil need to be cerefuly orchestrated and ‘may be combined with venting. nde attack wine the fre fs well developed and the heat protibtsorking in else proximiy tts seat an indvect approach is required. This may include closing al opening, shilling doa ventilation, cooing the compartment by use of spray hoses or epray systems and the use Of fixed extinguishing systems. ‘Thermal Imaging - the use of thermal imaging wil have.a Sigal aft onthe approach o and execution of the ask, Some ofthe guesswork wil be removed ang ars s ‘may be implemented (see pages 75 ‘and 166). We Following here are some of the fre nh eur on ow. ‘and the basic response actions that may be required. These are general 1 7 Sho teint to suit particular vessels and situations, as required. FIRE - ey ‘The Master ‘The Master's role in an: ena maintain a strategic overview of the situation, and therefore, he/she ‘must not become overly involved ithe actual running ofthe emergency operations. Responsibilities include but are fot imited to: + Ensuring overall safety ofthe ship, wellbeing of the passengers and crew. + Heading the shipboard organizations + Ensuring appropriate liaison with Company and Emergency Response Services, Authorities, other support services, and ships in the area + Ensuring all necessary emergency response functions are in place, as may be required by the nature and severity ofthe emergency + Ensuring passengers (if any) are frequently updated regarding the situetion + Determining fit is necessary to raise the response lovel (e.g. prepare for Abandonment) The Master wil have the overriding authority and responsiblity concerning the actions required to protect life and prevent polltion. When a Master is incapacitated, the designated substitute must assume all the responsibilities of the Master. ‘Gommand and Control ‘Depending on the vessel type and crew numbers, the Cammand and Contro! functions here listed may be partly B © uecgamoteSection 7 Organisation and Techniques Page 150 + Ifthe OSC is not a department head, they should closely liaise the appropriate persons + Control ofthe incident scene and security ofthe area + Report all observations to the Master / Command and Control, including: ‘The effectiveness any response, and recommendations on any further actions ‘The number of persons injured. ‘The extent of damage to the ship, especially hull penetrations below the waterline, ‘The extent and cause of any flooding within the ship and the effect of any controling measures ‘Tho status of watertight doors (WTD) and sem-watertight doors Report any progress (or lack thereof) in controling smoke Report major structural damage, e.g. broken port holes, WTD's that do not close, hull openings. FIRE - TEAM LEADERSHIP The Master, Command and Control and On Scene Commander (OSC) must take charge of the situation and ; coordinating all necessary parties and equipment. ‘Take charge ofthe situation Keep the whole picture in mind. Do not focus over-intently on one aspect or detall Give orders in a clear and concise manner, but without hysteria or panic Listen to advice, but do not alow argument Be flexible and continually reassess the situation, but do not allow this to be interpreted as indecisiveness ’ + The organisation must be such that it allows fora leader beCeming a castialty. Key person substitutes ‘must be clesly Identified beforehand, and sutably trained + Leadership of individual parties may vary withthe cscurstance. &6/an engineer may lead in 2 machinery space, whilst a deck officer may leas emt sittations + Delegate specifi duties as may be required: 9 \Vou.closevtie dampers 2 and 4” + The overall commander or team leader must not take on/faSks which inhibit ther ability to keep in view the whole picture, or which imi their abity oto Le. + When itis necessary for the OSC to give;tivestions‘these ‘and not directly tothe team mong fe OU Ae FIRE - IMMEDIATE ACTIONS