The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a security alert emphasizing the need for improved training for land-based firefighters responding to vessel fires in local ports. This warning comes after several investigations revealed that many firefighters lack the required knowledge of ship layouts and onboard fire protection systems, which hampers their effectiveness in combating port fires.
NTSB recommends that fire brigades enhance safety protocols and training. Suggested measures include developing comprehensive training plans covering tactics and communication strategies when responding to maritime incidents. Additionally, firefighters should become familiar with the National Fire Protection Association guidelines specifically tailored for marine firefighting.
Recent incidents underline the urgency of this training. A tragic example involved a 2023 fire on the roll-on/roll-off vessel Grande Costa d’Avorio in Newark, where inadequate training contributed to the deaths of two firefighters. The fire escalated after responders mistakenly engaged in an area where the ship’s carbon dioxide extinguishing system was already in use. The NTSB concluded that a lack of fire response training led to ineffective actions that worsened the situation.
Enhanced preparedness, coordination with local ports and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a focus on lessons learned from past incidents are essential for improving firefighter safety and effectiveness.
Share it now
