201021 Incorrect use of firefighters' outfits

Incorrect use of firefighters’ outfits
MARS Report 201021

During a fire drill with a newly-joined crew, the designated fire-fighting team was observed to wrongly put on the firefighter’s suit over the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This caused the jackets to be torn under the armpits, restricted movement and prevented quick changing of the air bottle. The error was pointed out and the equipment was then worn correctly. It appears that the seamen had previously received fire-fighting training with outfits that were designed to be worn over the SCBA, having suitable pockets in the back to accommodate the same. However, the ship’s firefighters’ outfits were not of this type.

 

 

This illustrates the need for crews to receive thorough and proper familiarisation with safety equipment immediately after boarding. In the absence of such type-specific training, there is a real danger that emergency response may be ineffective if they wrongly assume on board equipment to be the same or similar to those as previously encountered in other companies, on other ships or in shore-based training.