This course is designed to provide a land-based Fire Fighter II the first level of progression (as defined in chapter 4, NFPA 1005) the knowledge and skills to respond to an incident and operate in the proximity of a vessel or dock area or to provide support functions in the cold and warm zone on board a vessel. This course provides the combined awareness and operations level training to perform defensive level operations at a marine incident and is broken down into two modules.
The first module is an introduction to the problems associated with marine responses including jurisdiction, operating in the marine environment, terminology, types of ships & facilities, problems unique to marine responses, tactical considerations, safety and incident management. Building upon module 1, the second module provides guidance for the first-in company or unit. Training includes port organization, resources, vessel familiarization, vessel construction, specialized resource considerations, initial response assignments, incident management & size-up considerations. Marine Firefighter 1 and 2 receive FEMA approval under state programs. It is listed under the NJ-011-RESP under approved state training programs in the FEMA State Catalog.
Marine Firefighter 2:
This course is designed to provide a land-based Fire Fighter II the second level of progression (as defined in chapter 5, NFPA 1005) the knowledge and skills to respond to an incident and operate on a vessel while performing defensive and offensive functions inside the warm and hot zone on board a vessel.
Building upon the Marine Firefighter 1 course, this course provides tactical response guidance for various types of vessel fires, special resource considerations, stability, and post-incident activities. Detailed tactical techniques for a wide variety of scenarios including company level assignments. This course involves short classroom tabletop exercises. This course provides the Technician level training to perform offensive level operations at a marine incident.
Marine Firefighter 1 and 2 receive FEMA approval under state programs. It is listed under the NJ-011-RESP under approved state training programs in the FEMA State Catalog
Marine Fire Training Programs:
A team of firefighters, fire service instructors, mariners, and Coast Guard personnel was established in 1994 to locate training programs that could be utilized in the port. It consisted of personnel from:
Coast Guard Maritime Industry NJ Division of Fire Safety Delaware State Fire School PA State Fire Academy Philadelphia Fire Department Camden Fire Department Wilmington Fire Department
It was quickly determined that formal marine firefighting for land based fire fighters was not available. The group started with the NFPA 1405 Guideline published in 1990 as a starting point and quickly began development. The large and diverse nature of the intended audience required that a flexible approach was needed.
The format for Hazardous Material Response Training was utilized to form the basis of a modular program. The complete program in Marine Fire Fighting is based upon five levels and covers more that 50 hours of classroom and practical training. The training has been provided to over 5000 firefighters in 18 states. This training program formed the basis of many other training programs that were instituted in various regions of the U.S.
MARINE FIREFIGHTING
LEVEL I - Marine Firefighter Awareness
This is an introduction to the problems associated with marine responses including jurisdiction, operating in the marine environment, terminology, types of ships & facilities, problems unique to marine responses, tactical considerations, safety and incident management.
4 Hours - Prerequisites: NONE
LEVEL II - Marine Firefighter Operations
Building upon the Level I AWARENESS course, this course provides guidance for the first-in company. Training includes port organization and resources, vessel familiarization, vessel construction, specialized resource considerations, initial response assignments, incident management & size-up considerations. Completion of this level covers the Knowledge and Skill Assessments (KSA) outlined in NFPA 1005
8 Hours Prerequisites: FFI; MFF I
HAZMAT Operations (Level II) is strongly recommended.
Int'l Shore Connection
LEVEL II - (Practical) Marine Firefighter II
This course takes students into the field to board commercial vessels in the port. It focus on familiarizing students with shipboard organization, suppression systems, detection systems, vessel construction, access and egress, hazardous areas, locations, and cargo. Students are provided a workbook to identify key areas and equipment on the vessel.
4 Hours - Prerequisites: MFF II
Marine Support Operations
Harbor Incident Response Training (HIRT)
The maritime HIRT course combines Marine Firefighting Level I and II into an approved OGT training program. It provides additional training on Maritime Domain Awareness. It covers the basic Knowledge and Skill Assessment's (KSA) outlined in NFPA 1005. It is listed under FEMA’s state catalog of approved courses under NY-002-RESP. This is the only Marine Firefighting Course approved for federal funding under FEMA's state approved training.
16 Hours Prerequisites: FFI.
HAZMAT Operations (Level II) is strongly recommended
LEVEL III - Marine Firefighter Technician
Building upon the Level II - OPERATIONS course, this course provides tactical response guidance for various types of vessel fires, special resource considerations, stability, and post-incident activities. Detailed tactical techniques for a wide variety of scenarios. This course involves short classroom tabletop exercises.
8 Hours - Prerequisites: MFFII; FFII
HAZMAT Technician (Level III) and Confined Space Entry training are strongly recommended
LEVEL III (Practical)
Building upon the Marine Level III Technician, this program provides hands on training utilizing existing identified training facilities to provide practical tactical workstations and drills. Training is dependent upon local resources available. If available, exercises and training on board vessels is accomplished under simulated fire conditions using ROSCO smoke and limited lighting on board the vessel. This course is tailored to individual needs.
8 Hours - Prerequisites: MFFIII
Marina Response
Specialist
A variety of specialized courses are available to enhance or augment our other training programs. These include Shipboard Systems, Fishing Vessel Fires, Marina Fire Operations, and Marine Incident Management. Course can be tailored to specific needs of the department. Contact us for specific details.
LEVEL V - Marine Officer
Building upon the previous courses, this course addresses pre-fire planning, ICS/Unified Command interaction, RIT, Command and Control, legal and environmental issues, port resources, communications, post incident activities, and legal concerns. A tabletop exercise is part of this course. This course is designed for senior line officers.
