INET WG Members
INET SWG Members
22 Oct 14
INET SWG Firefighting/Damage Control Review
Introduction
1.
The INET Sub Working Group initiated a review of emerging training technology
solutions / interventions in the area of firefighting and damage control. Through discussions this
expanded beyond emerging training technologies into 3 main areas:



Command & Control (DCO stateboard) training
Training standard /facilities / training pipeline management
Emerging training technologies
This review has adopted the NATO Lessons Learnt format (Problem, Root Cause, Potential
Solutions) which can be found on the INET SWG website1.
US NAVY OVERVIEW
2.
Command & Control (DCO stateboard) training
The Damage Control Assistant course is in support of ship survivability requirements
that prepare USN and USCG Officers and Senior Enlisted to serve at sea in senior
Damage Control Leadership positions. It includes the following, in accordance with
approved technical manuals and Naval Warfare Publication NTTP 3-20.31, Surface Ship
Survivability:- Perform duties of the Repair Division Officer.- Perform the administrative
duties of the DCA.- Supervise the maintenance of all DC systems and equipment. Perform ship-wide Damage Control Self Assessment. - Execute a comprehensive
shipboard DC training program. -Apply basic ship stability and buoyancy laws and
formulas. - Control/manage damage from fire and flooding. - Identify principles of
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense. - Perform duties as ship's Gas
Free Engineer. The course is seven weeks in length and convenes six times per year in
San Diego and five times per year in Norfolk. This course satisfies Level IV of Shipboard
Survivability Training Level Requirements IAW OPNAVINST 3541.1F2.
Computer Based Training pre-requisite course (A-495-0400) is hosted on Navy
Knowledge Online,NKO, (an LMS) – it consists of 6 sections, 80% comprehension pass
mark.
1
2

State the duties and responsibilities of the Damage Control Petty Officer

Discuss the characteristics, operation and maintenance of the various types of
damage control equipment found in assigned spaces

Define the three material conditions of readiness, and the procedures for
checking watertight integrity.
https://wss.apan.org/jko/interNavyEdu/SitePages/Lessons%20Learned.aspx
To be replaced by OPNAVINST 3541.1G
1
3.

Describe the different types of watertight closures, associated documentation
and associated inspection procedures.

Describe the functionality, operation and maintenance of components of the
ventilation system as it pertains to the duties of the DCPO.

Identify the purpose and characteristics of compartment/space inspections as it
pertains to the duties of the DCPO.
Training Standards / facilities / training pipeline management
a.
Problem
1)
Basic recruit and officer firefighting training does not meet Fleet’s
minimum skill set requirement training.
2)
Sailors do not receive minimum skill set firefighting training prior to
reporting to their Fleet unit.
3)
Fleet’s minimum skill set requirements are not codified by OPNAV
Instruction.
b.
Root Cause
Root cause of problem was a result of a number of contributing factors.
1)
Minimum skill sets were not codified by policy (see above).
2)
Difficult for ships/Fleet to manage their personnel to attend firefighting
courses, incorrect personnel (leave, medical, availability), readiness cycle.
3)
Decline of a major firefighting facility, co-located with Recruit Training,
requiring extensive investment to bring back to standard.
4)
Finance planning rounds, discussions and delays exacerbated and
widened the gap of firefighting trained personnel in the Fleet.
c.
Potential Solutions
A 3 star led Damage Control review Board identified 5 Courses of Action (COAs).
COA 1 – Deliver new revised minimum standard at Recruit Training Centers.
COA 2 – Add course as an I-stop3 (prior to sailor joining ship).
COA 3 – Restart firefighting training at Great Lakes A School.
COA 4 – Improve use of existing capacity.
COA 5 – Increase capacity.
Recommendations
1)
Immediate Action (see diagram for timings). Approved solution was a hybrid of
immediately implementing COA4 (improve use of existing capacity), fund (approx.
$500k) the design work for COA3 (restart Great Lakes A School FFT) and revised the
OPNAV Instruction to codify the fleet minimum skill set requirements.
3
I-Stop is an Intermediate training stop/course within a sailor’s training pipeline and is before they are taken on
strength as part of a ship’s company.
2
COA 4 – Pilot scheme of using a Training Support Centre4 to assist ships in getting
‘right’ sailors to training. Started May 2014, concludes Oct 14. Initial results show a
training quota usage increase from 76% capacity to 98% capacity for Norfolk training
facilities. For the ships undergoing the pilot trial also show a significant decrease in
deployment deficiency in trained firefighting personnel.
COA3 – Design work is on contract to be completed by May 2015, Go ahead decision
May 2015 through COA3 Working Group, (est. implementation costs $7.5M).
OPNAV Instruction. Changed to include

Clarified levels of survivability training, including frequency, re-training, required
personnel.

Set authority for waivers and extensions at Type commanders (TYCOM) level.

Co-ordinated with Naval Education and Training command (NETC), fleet forces
Command (FFC) and TYCOM to ensure maintenance of PQS and classification of
training in CANTRAC (Catalog of Naval Courses).
2)
Long Term (Mid 2015 forward)
Implement COA2 (add course as an I-stop) and implement actions to deliver COA3
(restart Great Lakes A School FFT).
4.
Emerging Training Technologies
a.
Problem
None currently identified.
b.
N/A
c.
Root cause
Potential Solutions
1)
Virtual Firefighting Training Solutions
4
co-ordinates with firefighting site and Ships to administratively manage training according to Fleet manning
requirements.
3
The USN is keeping an eye on virtual firefighting developments and technology
solutions. NETC have received a brief from a vendor who demonstrated the use
of Unity and Havok game engines utilizing Occulus rift displays. Some University
work on the use of novel firefighting haptic devices (including heat, smell and
hose pressure) were also discussed but were not demonstrated.
The brief is on the INET SWG website at the below url.
GDIT firefighting ppt
2)
NETC Current position (Oct 2014)
A number of points have been raised that require addressing before any potential
investment is made.

All agreed that the technology in its current state cannot replace initial live
firefighting training.

All agreed that opportunity could exist to potentially leverage this
technology for refresher training qualification.

No validation and verification to show effectiveness of virtual vs live
training.

No real world Return On Investment (ROI) against current firefighting
training solutions to aid the benefits case for using virtual firefighting solutions.

Any investment must be tied to a training requirement or shortfall, if an
identified training gap or requirement was identified. However, potential gaps or
additional requirements are unknown at this time.
S P COLES
Lt Cdr RN
US Rep INET SOI
CANADA OVERVIEW
UK OVERVIEW
GERMAN OVERVIEW
NORWAY OVERVIEW
4