Phase IV (Routine Aid and Assistance) Phase IV consists of routine aid and assistance. The general objectives of this phase are to continue medical and rescue work; provide food and supplies as required and directed; commence repair of utilities, such as communications, water, and electrical supply insofar as practical; and provide temporary shelter. Phase V (Withdrawal) Phase V is the withdrawal phase. When the situation is under control, the unit will withdraw from the disaster area. Phase V is only emergency relief, not rehabilitation. Its primary purpose is to assist in a disaster area. All equipment and supplies not authorized to be left behind will be recovered and returned to the command. SUMMARY There can be no substitute for training and preparation in situations requiring damage control action. Damage resulting from battle, fire, collision, and CBR attack must be brought under control as soon as possible to ensure the survival of ship and crew. Successful damage control requires a detailed knowledge of the ship’s construction, characteristics, compartmentation, and stability. It also includes knowledge of those design features and equipments used to prevent or control damage should the ship be endangered. The control of damage depends on the ability and the initiative of personnel to take prompt corrective action using materials that are readily available. As a senior petty officer, you will often be placed in a position of responsibility for training or leading damage control repair parties. This is not to say that you must know everything there is to know about damage control. But, you should be aware of the types of information and training that are available. Take advantage of the ship’s damage control library for conducting training on board. Your personnel should be cross-trained in damage control procedures to build more effective and versatile teams. In the event of a CBR attack, fast action on the part of all personnel can minimize injury and prolonged incapacity. Knowing what actions to take and when to take them can mean the difference between survival and death and winning and losing a battle. Properly applied self-aid, first aid, and personnel decontamination can increase your chances of recovery from CBR exposure. Natural disasters can occur at any time or any place in many forms, such as flooding, earth- quakes, and hurricanes. As a senior petty officer, you may be required to lead a civil disaster detail ashore. Knowing what your duties are and what to expect following a disaster can save lives and property. REFERENCES Naval Ships’ Technical Manual, Chapter 070, Radiological Recovery of Ships After Nuclear Weapons Explosion, Naval Sea Systems Com- mand, Washington D.C., 1977. Naval Ships’ Technical Manual, Chapter 470, Shipboard BW/CW Defense and Counter- measures, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., 1990. Repair Party Manual, COMNAVSURFLANT- INST 3541.1C and COMNAVSURFPACINST 3541.4B, Commanders Naval Surface Forces, United States, Atlantic/Pacific Fleets, Norfolk, Va. and San Diego, Calif., 1991. Ship Repair Party Manual, COMNAVAIRLANT- INST 5400.27B, Commander, Naval Air Forces, United States Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Va., 1985. Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy, OPNAVINST 3120.32B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1986. Surface Ship Survivability, NWP 62-1 (Rev. C), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1989. 7-33