Conducting daily inspections of division spaces
for the elimination of fire hazards
Performing any other actions in regard to
damage control and maintenance of spaces that
are directed by the division leading petty officer,
division officer, fire marshall, DCA, and
executive officer
Gas Free Engineer (GFE)
The gas free engineer (chief petty officer or above)
decides when its safe for personnel to enter closed or
poorly ventilated spaces. The GFE makes sure that all
necessary measures have been taken to eliminate the
risk of fire, explosion, exposure to toxic substances,
suffocation, or asphyxiation. The GFE has a working
knowledge of all definitions, instruments, and
equipment listed in the GFE program. The shipboard
GFE meets the qualifications and is capable of
performing the duties and responsibilities specified in
NSTM, chapter 074, volume 3, Gas Free Engineering.
All Navy ships must be adequately staffed with
personnel qualified to perform gas free engineering
services for normal and emergency situations.
Fire Marshal
All ships designate a fire marshal to assist the
engineer officer. The fire marshal helps the DCA train
personnel to prevent and fight fires. The ships fire
marshal and duty fire marshals are qualified to ensure
continuity of inspections for improperly stored or
inoperative DC equipment. Fire marshals are free of
duties that would not let them instantly respond to
emergencies. The fire marshal conducts daily
inspections throughout the ship, paying particular
attention to the following areas:
Housekeeping
Firefighting equipment, both portable and fixed
Safety precautions
Flammable liquids
Smoking
Welding and burning
Stowage of compressed gas
Fume/spraytight light covers
Grease filters/traps, Gaylord hoods
Ventilation/air conditioning ducts/flammable
stowage ventilation
Material condition
The fire marshal has the following responsibilities:
Submitting reports citing fire hazards and
making recommendations for correction
NOTE
Immediate steps should be taken to
eliminate hazards resulting from poor
housekeeping, welding or burning,
smoking, and equipment deficiencies.
The fire marshal submits discrepancy
reports to the DCA with copies to the
XO and the appropriate department
head(s) and conducts follow-up
inspections to ensure compliance.
Conducting training for fire teams, rescue and
assistance teams, and departmental/divisional
DCPOs stressing fire hazard consciousness
Setting up a fire watch team before
regular/interim overhauls or availabilities
Training and assigning fire watches
Being overall in charge at the fire scene until
relieved by a general quarters (GQ) scene leader
and keeping DCC and/or the OOD informed
with an accurate status of the situation
12-5
Student Notes: