Ford’s Casualty Combating Crew

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cathrine Yanez | NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 12, 2017) -- USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Sailors assigned to air department fight a simulated fire during a general quarters drill. General quarters drills are designed to train Sailors in case of an actual casualty onboard the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cathrine Mae O. Campbell)  

AT SEA

12.12.2017

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Elliott 

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)           

“This team of men and women are the first responders and subject matter experts on combating shipboard casualties,” said Chief Warrant Officer Shannon Foster, Ford’s fire marshal. “Their damage control training is a supplement to their source ratings, which provides them the technical skill set necessary for handling fire, flooding, structural damage, toxic gas, or whatever the casualty may be.”
The flying squad is Ford’s “at-sea fire party” and stand as the ship’s first line of defense against shipboard casualties.
Flying squad members regularly practice their casualty combating skills with scenario-based training evolutions ranging from the simplest pipe patch or small trash can fire to the severe structural damage to the ship.
“We are constantly training to become more proficient at doing our job,” said Hull Technician 1st Class Samantha Piña, a member of Ford’s damage control training team. “When we are underway, there is no fire department to call, it’s [flying squad].”
Shipboard damage control is not only flying squad’s responsibility – it’s the whole crew’s. Ford crew members are required to complete damage control qualifications as early as a few days after coming to the ship, during their indoctrination period.
“You cannot just have 40 people fight a fire,” said Pina. “In a real-life scenario, wearing a [fire-fighting ensemble], manning a charged hose, and climbing ladder wells with a self-contained breathing apparatus gets tiring quick. It is important for every crew member to take damage control training seriously and stay motivated.”
When in port, flying squad responds to casualties during working hours. After hours, the duty in-port emergency team takes lead on responding to casualties and runs through scenario-based training evolutions daily led by the damage control training team and flying squad members on duty. They are responsible for the crew and the ship’s well-being.
“If we cannot complete our job, we could lose equipment, lives, and the ship,” said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Alan Snowden, a member of Ford’s flying squad. “When we are called away we go on a moment’s notice, whether it’s in the middle of the night or the moment we sit down to eat, and we will be ready.”

• Date Taken: 12.12.2017
• Date Posted: 12.16.2017 14:17
• Story ID: 259214
• Location: AT SEA