1. The Role of The Shipboard FIRE MARSHAL
VIGILANCE
The Role of The Shipboard FIRE MARSHAL

2. Fire Marshal Definition
The fire marshal (FM) is designated to aid the damage control assistant (DCA) in the prevention and the fighting of fires (NSTM 555 Volume 1, Surface Ship Firefighting). To accomplish this, he or she must be thoroughly familiar with the ship plans, compartmentation, shipboard work packages and projects, and always looking for potential fire hazards or dangers within the ship.
Duty fire marshals are assistant fire marshals that are appointed for each inport duty section and while underway to perform the same function.
The fire marshal will be designated in writing by the CO and will remain free of all other duties that would inhibit responding instantaneously to emergencies. 02

3. Duties & Responsibilities
All ships shall have a designated FM to assist the Engineer.
The FM will aid the DCA in the training of personnel in fire prevention and fighting of fires. 03

4. Fire Marshal Qualifications
The Fire Marshal shall be a qualified DCTT member to ensure consistency of inspections.
The Fire Marshal is overall in charge of the Rapid Response Team/Flying Squad and will remain on scene until relieved by the scene leader.
Missing 04

5. Duties
Conduct a daily inspection throughout the ship paying particular attention to:
House keeping
Trash Receptacles
Storeroom stowage
Proper stowage of flam liquids/haz-mat
Incinerator Room stowage 05

6. Fire Stations, Extinguishers, Installed Systems
Firefighting equipment
Missing items
Completeness of station
Conditions of hoses, wrenches & nozzles
Safety Precautions
Properly posted & updated
Spanner wrench
Hoses on deck 06

7. Fire Hazards Flam Liquids Proper stowage Smoking
Regulations posted & enforced (butt disposal)
Welding and Burning
Gas free/hot work certificate posted (date and time)
Stowage of compressed gas
Tight connections/proper covers & caps
Properly secured 07

8. Fire Watch
The Fire Marshal shall train all fire watches IAW NAVEDTRA J PQS Standards DC, 108 & 304
Obtain Equipment & PPE (eye, respiratory, hearing), Extinguisher, Gloves etc
Pre Work Inspection
Communications
Surveillance
Post Work Inspection
Response to abnormal conditions 08

9. Gaylord hoods that are not clean are a fire waiting to happen.
Galley Specifics
Gaylord Hood
Fume tight/Explosive Proof light caps
Grease filters & traps empty & clean (daily)
APC system
Inspection tags and PMS up to date.
Activation areas unobstructed
Gaylord hoods that are not clean are a fire waiting to happen. 09

10. Throughout all Compartments
Ventilation/Air conditioning ducts flam stowage ventilation
Ducts clean
Inspection covers in place
Air flow indicators operative
Material Condition
Properly set to resist fire & flooding spread.
DC Closure & INOP Fitting Logs current
X-Ray
Not set 10

11. Debris discovered in a ships ventilation system during a Fire Marshal Investigation. The investigation was conducted after a significant fire occurred on another vessel in which cigarette butts in the ventilation system were a major contributing factor. 11

12. Requirements in Drydock **All requirements from NSTM 997
Maintain a Dry Weight Log (Approximately 500 lbs or more)
Each Skin Valve Blank Flanged
Permission Granted for ALL Overboard Discharges
Conduct Fire Drills / Use of Firemain & VITAL SYSTEMS
FM pressure to be verified from farthest and highest plug from riser!
**All requirements from NSTM 997 12

13. Think there are fire hazards here…?
Every Officer and every Chief should be a fire marshal. Not only making rounds in the ship, but around and under the ship as well.
Think there are fire hazards here…? 13

14. **Know your ship’s Fire Prevention & Fire Marshal instructions**
The Fire Marshal will submit reports citing fire hazards & make recommendations for correction. Immediate steps should be taken to eliminate hazards resulting from poor housekeeping, hot work, smoking & equipment deficiencies.
**Know your ship’s Fire Prevention & Fire Marshal instructions** 14

15. References NSTM 555 V1- Surface Ship Firefighting
NTTP Surface Ship Survivability
NSTM 074 V1- Welding & Allied Processes
Army Reg 56-9, Surface Transportation - Watercraft
Gas Free Engineer & Fire Marshal webpage
NAVEDTRA F PQS Standards DC Watches, Section 304
NSTM 074 V3- Gas Free Engineering
(USCG) COMDTINST Naval Engineering Manual chpts 077, 079, 555
(USCG) COMDTINST B- MSFD
At the NAVSEA Gas Free/Fire Marshal web page select the index for the particular unit you are interested in. This will bring up the main page. The Fire Marshal page contains multiple Fire Marshal Tips. Tip number 005 will take you to a page containing useful forms for everything from CCOL inspections to the Fire Marshal’s daily report. 15