mission of the ship. The battle organization is
based on the following principles:
1. All personnel within the organization must
be highly trained in all phases of damage control.
They should also be trained in the technical
aspects of their ratings to assist in the control of
damage.
2. The organization must be decentralized
into self-sufficient units. These units must have
communication with each other and be able to
take corrective action to control the various types
of damage.
3. One central station (DCC) receives reports
from all damage control units. This station
evaluates and initiates those orders necessary for
corrective action from a shipwide point of view.
This station also reports to and receives orders
from command control. These reports concern
matters that affect the ship’s buoyancy, list trim,
stability, watertight integrity, and CBR defense
measures.
4. Damage control units assigned work that
is peculiar to a single department are under the
direct supervision of one of that department’s
officers.
5. Provisions are made for relief of personnel
engaged in difficult tasks, for battle messing, and
for the transition from one condition of readiness
to another. Procedures are developed to ensure
all relief crews are informed of the overall
situation. These procedures ensure continual and
proper action to combat casualties.
6. Positive, accurate, and rapid communica-
tions are provided for between all damage
control units. An overall coordination of effort
and direction can then be readily accomplished.
7. A repair party, remotely located from
DCC, assumes the functions of DCC in the event
that DCC becomes a battle casualty.
Damage Controlman 3 & 2, NAVEDTRA
10572, provides in-depth information about the
damage control organization, function, and
responsibilities.
Fire fighting
Some fires aboard ship may start from an
enemy hit, a cigarette or match carelessly thrown
away, or the spontaneous ignition of various
combustible substances. Others may start from
the use of spark- or flame-producing tools and
equipment in an atmosphere containing explosive
vapors, the improper stowage of flammable
materials, or static electricity. Fires aboard ship
can start from many various causes.
The prevention as well as the fighting of
fires has proved essential to the survival of a
ship in peacetime and combat. Efforts must be
continually made to reduce the damage resulting
from fire through elimination of hazards, properly
maintained and operational fire-fighting equip-
ment, and effectively trained emergent y response
parties. As the DCPO or duty DCPO, you should
have an understanding of fire party organization
and responsibilities and the types of fire-fighting
agents and their use. This knowledge will enable
you to train your division personnel in effective
fire-fighting techniques.
FIRE PARTY. —The fire party is a compo-
nent of the ship’s DC organization. The minimum
fire party should consist of sufficient personnel
to perform the functions shown in figure 7-2. A
person for each function is not necessary. A
person may perform one or more functions
simultaneously or sequentially. Each ship will
determine the number of personnel required for
a particular condition. Figure 7-2 shows the
criteria ships use in determining their degree of
flexibility in functional fire party assignments. All
ships will have a contingency plan within their
general emergency bill to augment the assigned
fire party (for example, other repair lockers,
personnel on board not assigned to the fire party
or other ships’ recovery, and assistance details).
Fire parties are divided into two types, in-port and
at-sea fire parties:
• IN-PORT FIRE PARTY. Each duty
section must have an effective fire-fighting force.
Care must be taken to ensure assigned personnel
have the proper training and experience required
based on the ship’s general emergency bill.
Personnel should not be assigned to additional
in-port duties that might require them to leave the
ship.
While in port, the fire party may require
additional personnel and material support. These
additional personnel should assemble at a
designated location and assist in setting fire
boundaries. They should be available to back up
7-8
