b'NEWSWIRENTSB Issues Safety Alert for Land-BasedNEWSWIREFirefighters Responding to Marine Vessel FiresT heNationalTransportationand NFPA 1010: Standard on Profes- The safety alert cited three vessel fires Safety Board (NTSB) recentlysional Qualifications for Firefightersthe NTSB has investigated that result-issued a safety alert highlight- edinland-basedfirefightersinjured ingtheuniquerisksandchallenges Working in advance with local portsdue to the firefighters lack of trainingthat land-based firefighters face whentoorganizevesselfamiliarizationin vessel firefighting. The most recent responding to in-port vessel fires. tours and to coordinate vessel fire- investigationwasintothe2023fire fighting response preparedness andon the roll-on/roll-off container vessel The safety alert follows several NTSBtraininginconjunctionwiththeGrandeCostaDAvorioinNewark, investigations into deaths and injuriesdrills and exercises required for cer- N.J., which lead to the deaths of new to firefighters. The NTSB found land- tain vessels land-basedfirefighters.TheNTSB based firefighters often lack the neces- found the Newark Fire Divisions lack sary training and familiarity with ves- CoordinatingwiththeU.S.Coastof marine vessel firefighting training sel layouts and fire protection systemsGuard on standard operating proce- resulted in an ineffective response, led to effectively fight in-port vessel fires.dures during emergencies to the firefighter casualties, and con-They also may be unaware of how totributed to the severity of the fire.use the structural fire protection built Learning from the circumstances ofinto most commercial vessels other in-port vessel fires to improveThe full safety alert is available online contingency planning and can be viewed here. The NTSB emphasizes that compre-hensive training and vessel familiariza-tion are vital to ensure firefighter safe-ty and effective emergency response. NTSB recommends fire departments that serve ports improve the safety of their firefighters when responding to vessel fires by:Navigate Risk With Developingtrainingplanstoen- Confidencesure all firefighters understand how tofightvesselfires,includingtheUSIs maritime specialists resourcesneeded,thebesttactics,combine proprietary analytics, strategies and methods for commu- broad experience, and national nicating while on a vessel and withresources to create customized vessel crew, and vessel layouts insurance and risk management programs designed to reduce cost and lower risk for yourI dentifyingsupplementaltrainingbusiness.areas and developing a training plan andoperationalproceduresinref- Proud supporters of the erencetoNationalFireProtectionProperty & CasualtyPassenger Vessel AssociationEmployee Benefits Association publication 1405: GuidePersonal RiskUSI Insurance Services forLand-BasedFireDepartmentsRetirement Consulting 601 Union Streetthat Respond to Marine Vessel Fires,Seattle, WA 98101 206.441.6300 | www.usi.com2023 USI Insurance Services. All rights reserved.59 SEPTEMBER 2025'