Enterprise Ensures Safety with Damage Control Training
Navy NewsStand
Sailors from an emergency response team don an MCU-2P gas mask during a drill aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
100822-N-0569K-011 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 22, 2010) Sailors from an emergency response team don an MCU-2P gas mask during a drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Frequent training and exercises ensure the ship and crew are prepared in the event of an emergency. Enterprise is on a scheduled underway for its tailored ship's training availability and is making preparations for its 21st deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jared M. King/Released)
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Story Number: NNS100825-15
8/25/2010
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristin M. Baker, USS Enterprise Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- As the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) continues work-ups and flight deck operations in preparation for the aircraft carrier's upcoming deployment Aug. 25, the ship's Damage Control (DC) division continues training Sailors in basic damage control procedures.
The basic DC course introduces Sailors to Enterprise's firefighting systems and capabilities in order to lay the foundation for more advanced DC courses and prepare Sailors in the event of a shipboard emergency.
"The ship is a dangerous place to work," said Senior Chief Damage Controlman (SW/AW) Glen F. Porter, the senior damage controlman aboard Enterprise and the leading chief petty officer of Engineering department's DC division. "You never know when or who may discover a fire or flooding. We want to ensure that everyone is trained as soon as possible on how to make that report and take the correct initial actions."
During the one-week basic DC course, new Sailors learn everything from simple shipboard living to important ship-saving techniques.
The course begins with a movie entitled, "Trial by Fire," which shows the effects of a real fire and serves to reinforce the understanding that everyone must be prepared.
Afterward, Sailors are familiarized with the equipment used to combat fires aboard the ship along with the different classes of fire, basic chemical, biological and radiological control and the positions of the hose teams and repair lockers.
After ensuring Sailors have an understanding of these principles, they are brought to a locker and dressed in firefighting equipment.
"This is the most important time to familiarize a new Sailor with damage control," said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Tyler W. Summers, DC division's class instructor. "Most of these Sailors are new to the fleet and the Navy, so they are very eager to learn and pay close attention to what they are taught."
In the event of a shipboard emergency, all hands are involved. Once the announcement is made, Sailors are instructed to pay close attention and follow directions relayed through the 1-MC, Enterprise's one-way communication system. Ensuring Sailors know what to do in the event of an emergency directly relates to the amount of training they receive, said Summers.
"You cannot execute something effectively if you haven't been trained to carry out that task," said Damage Controlman 2nd Class John R. Winingham, a supervisor for Enterprise's repair locker shop and on-scene leader for the at-sea fire party. "This course establishes the fundamentals for the Sailors to create a better background into the more advanced courses. This helps the Sailors grasp the concepts and put them into a better position for becoming a part of the hose teams and repair lockers."
Enterprise Sailors chosen to teach basic DC have proven themselves in all aspects of damage control.
"We select those that have proven confidence with training and their expansive knowledge of damage control," said Porter. "The instructor has to be able to break information down into analogies the new Sailors understand. Everyone must know how to report and take initial action when necessary for the safety of the ship and the crew."
Enterprise is at sea conducting work-ups in preparation for its 21st deployment.
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