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USS Elrod Responds to Fire in Cape Verde

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080913-24
Release Date: 9/13/2008 11:25:00 AM

By Ens. Jason M. Burroughs, USS Elrod Public Affairs

MINDELO, Cape Verde (NNS) -- USS Elrod's (FFG 55)Inport Emergency Team helped local firefighters battle a blaze at a Port Authority building in Mindelo, Cape Verde, Sept. 10.

During a reception on the flight deck of Elrod, attendees noticed a fire in the port authority area across the harbor. At the request of the Cape Verde Coast Guard, Elrod's crew sprang into action.

Under the direction of the Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Armando Ramirez and Operations Officer and acting Command Duty Officer Lt. Joseph Kosteczko, efforts were organized aboard, and all hands brought out damage control equipment to the pier. Once staged on the pier, host nation vehicles volunteered to transport the equipment and Sailors to the scene of the fire to support the local firefighting effort.

On scene, Chief Engineer Lt. J.R. Ewing, Damage Control Assistant Lt. j.g. Matt Thomas, Chief Damage Controlman (SW) Michael Christian, and Chief Damage Controlman (SW) Brian Raney organized 34 Elrod Sailors into two hose teams to assist in fighting the blaze. As Elrod Sailors rapidly manned two hoses and began fighting a section of the fire that was out of control, Ewing and Thomas immediately advised the local fire chief on placement of the fire trucks, hose teams, and firefighting efforts.

"Using the firefighting techniques and training practiced aboard Elrod, our Sailors were able to make a real difference and strengthen the relationship between the U.S. Navy and Cape Verde Coast Guard," said Elrod's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Todd Beltz.

As the two Elrod hose teams extinguished fires through doors and windows of the building, the host nation firefighters began manning extra hoses and fighting other areas of the fire.

At the staging area, Gas Turbine Mechanic 1st Class(SW) Paul Pickett and Sonar Technician 2nd Class Randall Ferrari set up a breathing air recharging station for replenishing self contained breathing apparatus bottles and also organized other damage control equipment for quick use. A medical aid station was also set up by Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Bryan Armock with stretcher bearers and lifesaving equipment in case of personnel casualties.

"This was the first time I've ever been involved with a real fire and I was excited to get the opportunity to help," said Damage Controlman Fireman Bryce Conklin, a participating hoseman. "But the best feeling was knowing that we prevented anyone from getting hurt that night."

Efforts continued to be coordinated between Elrod Sailors and local firefighters, as they both battled the blaze for over five hours. As the fires were fought back and the local firefighters gained control, Elrod leadership stayed on scene to advise the local fire chief on the continued effort to extinguish the remaining fires.

The technical knowledge, quick reaction and steady efforts of Elrod Sailors prevented the fire from spreading to the surrounding buildings in the Port Authority area.

"The extraordinary courage, enthusiasm, and professional firefighting efforts put forth by Elrod Sailors extinguished nearly half of the fires burning and contained the fire to the warehouse," said Thomas, damage control assistant.

Elrod arrived in Mindelo Sept. 8 as part of its deployment in support of Africa Partnership Station. While in Mindelo, Elrod's schedule consisted of community relations projects, engineering and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training for the Cape Verde Coast Guard.

Major Montero, Commander of the Cape Verde Coast Guard, expressed the country's sincere appreciation for the heroic efforts and extreme generosity Elrod's Sailors put forth in assisting the local firefighting efforts.

Elrod is a Norfolk-based, Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate. The ship departed June 2 for a regularly scheduled deployment in Europe and Africa within the 6th fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from COMNAVEUR/COMSIXTHFLT, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.