Sailors Learn Aircraft Firefighting Skills

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Whidbey Island

May 19, 2010 - OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to various tenant commands at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island participated in a Flight Deck Firefighting Course May 18.

The one-day, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNTTAU) Whidbey Island course provided 39 Sailors with the basic level of skill and knowledge required to handle fires on flight decks, aircraft crash incidents and conflagrations involving hazardous materials.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Justin Ocampo of Dededo, Guam, a firefighting instructor, said the course starts with a brief introduction covering course safety and other important topics such as the chemistry of a fire, visual landing aids, the operation of carbon dioxide and potassium bicarbonate powder bottles and the fires for which they are most effective.

Ocampo said after the morning lectures, Sailors are are briefed on additional safety precautions, basic firefighting techniques and recommendations for combating the fire. Upon completion, Sailors perform a brief wet-work exercise to demonstrate how to properly handle the hose.

Once the wet work is completed, the teams run through the actual scenario and are graded on their performance.

"I thought it was a great course and very important for our Sailors. It's important for us to understand what they are doing," said Lt. Cmdr. Ladislao R. Montero of Nogales, Ariz., a naval flight officer and department head with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ)136. "Most of the time, as air crew, we won't be involved in fighting fires, but to understand what the Sailors on the flight deck are doing and how they respond to a fire, this course gives them that knowledge, and I think it's a great lesson for everyone, whether you're in the aircraft or on the flight deck."

The scenario can last from 30 minutes to an hour and features the aspects of actual class Alpha, Bravo and Charlie fires; including the heat and the ability to take over as a leader.

"The students did well and were very motivated throughout the training, they were paying attention to all the instructions that were given from our instructors," said Ocampo. "Today's training evolution went very smoothly."

The potential for the danger of a fire on a ship's flight deck also drives the need for every air department Sailor to be proficient in every firefighting position.

"I learned a lot from this course, from the basic firefighting commands, the techniques of hose handling and responding to an actual fire," said Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Kimberly Burns of Big Bear, Calif., assigned to VAQ 138. "Not only did I get a refresher on fire safety, but I also learned how to work with my fellow shipmates as a team."