HMAS Toowoomba’s internal Damage Control (DC) organisation has trained tirelessly to prepare for any incident onboard during their deployment in the Middle Eastern Area of Operations.
The exercises range from small-scale incidents such as localised fires and toxic hazards through to whole-ship DC evolutions such as large scale engine room fires and helicopter crash on deck.
These exercises are designed to train specialist DC teams such as the Standing Sea Fire and Emergency Party (SSFEP) and the Silent Hours Emergency Response Team (SHERT).
The SSFEP is made up entirely of volunteers and represents HMAS Toowoomba’s primary DC response.
The party includes communicators and engineering specialist sailors.
The SSFEP operates in conjunction with the Ships Medical Emergency Team which provides emergency medical support in any casualty incident.
HMAS Toowoomba’s Commanding Officer, Brendon Zilko, said he was very happy with the Damage Control training.
“Damage Control is an integral part of the Ship’s preparedness to respond to any threat to its safety and the training conducted by the DC organisation provides us with that capability,” Commander Zilko said.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, April 5, 2013; Image: Australian Navy