McFaul (DDG 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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This is a drill, this is a drill! For several weeks, mem bers of the Inport Emergency Teams (lET) spent long and exhaust- ing hours training in preparation for the Light Off Assessment (LOA), a vi- tal engineering certification that all ships must pass before sailing and commissioning. This inspection dem- onstrates that a ship is capable of sav- ing itself in the case of any emergency, ranging fr om a minor hazardous mate- rial spill or a small fire in a compart- ment to a major fuel oil fire. Teams train in full Fire Fighting En- sembles (FFE ' s), light off Operational Breathing Apparatus (OBA ' s), and meticulously go through every step of fighting a mamspace fire. The Dam- age Control Training Team (DCTT), an internal training team consisting of McFAUL personnel, sets up numer- ous real-life scenarios, conduct train- ing for the emergency teams, and evaluate their performance. LOA is not just an Engineering evolution, it is an ALL HANDS effort. Personnel not involved on the fire party report to the fantail for support; breaking out gear from the repair lock- ers, helping teams dress out, attend- ing to heat stress and other casual- ties, and standing by to dress out them- selves and join the fire party. Durmg long days of training, dressed out in heavy FFE ' s and lug- ging fu-e hoses and access gear with crewmembers exhausted is when the philosophy of TEAM McFAUL shone through the brightest. The required stamina was almost painful at times, but it all paid off when McFAUL passed all LOA drills with flying col- ors. Members of an attack team prepare to walk through a mam space fire drill DC2 Little leads the hose team into number three generator room, uhilc (iSE2 Aanerud uses the Naval Firefighter s Thermal Imager (NFTI) to look for ihc fin- SHC(SW) Neal. a.k.a, The Torch does his artistic rendition of an oul-of-control fire. 66

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RD ivision f , i- l ajjk 9 damage controlman DCl(SW) Robert Bradley Rowland Heights, CA DCl(SW) Gregory Courtney Pmesville, LA DC S are experts in firefighting and in the techniques, skills, and equipment used for damage control. They organize, supervise, and train shipboard personnel in the operation and maintenance of damage control equipment. Additionally, they are responsible for training entire shipboard damage control teams. DC2 Jimmie Archie, Jr Houston, TX DC2 Kenneth Little Ft. Lauderdale, FL DC3(SW) Rodney Davis Bainbridge, GA DCFA Erwin Layden Walstonburg, NC FR Peter Chiu New York, NY FR Sindee Hail Springfield, VT FR William Urban McHenry, IL 65

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All Hands Man Your Flight Quarters ► PI he Operations Department is com- warfare, or s . prised of four divisions with five of- the enemy, i fleers, six chiefs and approximately 80 en- and rota ry listed personnel. support for; rhe departtnent ' s principle role is to and visual c support McFAUL in sustained operations replenishrM at sea as a part of a Joint Task Force or as search anfl an independent unit in air warfare, sur- tions. ■ face warfare, undersea warfare, electronic The fl ' ns against the Operations Officer (OPS) who over- ude fixed sees all division officers and their respec- ..al gunfire live divisions in the performance of their ous assaults, electronic duties. OPS is also responsible for the i.lmications, refeling and evaluation and dissemination of combat (warfare, and operational information required for It opera- McFAUL to fulfill its assigned mission. ■l jgj y -Photo taken by Michael McFaul