"DAMAGE CONTROL: BASIC FIRE FIGHTING ABOARD SHIP" 1960 U.S. NAVY TRAINING FILM 46844

This black-and-white United States Navy Training Film, produced by Wilding Picture Productions, Inc. in 1960, is titled “Damage Control: Shipboard Fire Fighting, Basic” and covers shipboard fire-fighting basics. Ships underway face the constant risk of sudden fires that can quickly spread and endanger both the vessel and crew. Effective firefighting requires prompt action, teamwork, and knowledge of proper procedures. Crew members are assigned to fire parties responsible for attacking the fire and providing backup support. Key steps include locating and reporting the fire, isolating the affected area by establishing fire boundaries, securing ventilation, and fighting the fire using appropriate methods depending on the fire class—fog and solid streams for combustibles (Class A), foam for fuel fires (Class B), and CO2 or dry powder for electrical fires (Class C). After extinguishing, thorough overhaul is essential to prevent reflash, followed by maintaining a reflash watch. Special spaces like magazines and machinery rooms have dedicated systems such as sprinklers and steam smothering for fire control. Overall, efficient firefighting aboard ship demands well-coordinated efforts to protect the ship and crew from fire hazards

0:00 — Ships underway face constant danger from sudden fires that can quickly spread, threatening the ship and crew. Firefighting must be prompt and efficient.

1:02 — Crew members are assigned to fire parties: an attacking party that directly fights the fire and a backup party providing support, including medical aid and electrical isolation.

2:00 — Steps to fight fires include locating and reporting the fire, isolating the area, fighting the fire, overhauling the area, and setting a reflash watch.

2:20 — Fires can start in unattended spaces and spread before detection; check bulkheads, decks, and vents for abnormal heat to locate the fire's extent.

3:18 — Isolate the fire area by setting fire boundaries; if multiple compartments are involved, treat them as a unit and protect adjacent compartments.

4:21 — Secure all ventilation systems in the fire area to prevent the spread of heat and vapors; set secondary boundaries and prepare sprinkler systems as needed.

5:01 — De-energize electrical circuits for safety; check water pressure; vent compartments before entry; determine fire type to select the correct firefighting technique.

5:39 — Class A fires (combustibles like wood, paper) are fought with fog streams to knock down flames, then solid streams to penetrate deeper.

6:38 — Class B fires (fuel or lubricant) are best extinguished with mechanical foam, applied to blanket the fire and prevent reflash.

7:25 — Class C fires (electrical) involve shock hazards; fight with non-conducting agents like CO2 or dry powder, directing CO2 at the fire source.

8:05 — After extinguishing, overhaul by breaking up smoldering material and saturating it; wash foam from Class B fire areas and report conditions.

9:00 — Fires can reignite; maintain a reflash watch as long as there is fire hazard.

9:25 — Special spaces have unique hazards: magazines use sprinkling systems to cool ammunition; machinery spaces use steam smothering systems and CO2 reels.

10:53 — Living and berthing spaces often have fixed fog systems to suppress fires until hoses arrive.

11:15 — Summary of firefighting steps: locate and report fire, isolate area, cool adjacent compartments, secure ventilation, set secondary boundaries, fight fire according to class, overhaul area, report damage, conduct dewatering, and maintain reflash watch.

13:25 — Firefighting aboard ship requires teamwork and efficiency; all personnel must learn their duties to protect ship and crew.

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