Confined Space Training Aboard the USS New Jersey

Each and every time the call comes to the Camden Fire Department, its men and women face what may be potentially life-threatening circumstances. Standards and practices to ensure the safety of the public and first responders have been developed over the past 160-odd years, and while many at City Hall and elsewhere in State and County government may believe corners can be cut, far too many examples… fatalities and injuries… have proven that is a falsehood. Firefighting and rescue is a dangerous business… roughly 70% of all deaths occurring in rescue operations are those of rescuers, not of rescuees.

As part of ongoing training, Camden Fire Department personnel were given training in confined space rescue operations over the course of several days in September of 2011, first at Liberty Station on Broadway, followed by sessions on the battleship USS New Jersey BB-62, which is docked along the Camden waterfront. I was privileged to be allowed to monitor both parts of the course given. On September 12 I accompanied Battalion Chief Donald Johnson and Captains Frank Sandrock and David Dilks, who were conducting the class, aboard the USS New Jersey. Two groups of Camden firefighters took the training. The morning group consisted of Firefighters Brian Beach, David Diaz, Orlando Nunez, and Lacy Phelps. The afternoon session was attended by Captain Manny Martinez and Firefighters Efi Mercado, Gamalier Rivera, Frank Thompson, and Ken White.

I have captioned some of the photos and attempted to describe what was occurring, and may well have either got it wrong or used improper terminology. If any interested party would like to assist, please comment at the bottom of the page.

September 14, 2011

Photos

Confined space training aboard the USS New Jersey BB-62 — Confined space training, USS New Jersey BB-62

Orlando Nunez, Lacy Phelps, Brian Beach, David Diaz — Orlando Nunez — Lacy Phelps — Brian Beach — David Diaz

Brian Beach, David Diaz, Frank Sandrock, David Dilks — Brian Beach — David Diaz — Frank Sandrock — David Dilks

Gun Turret 2, USS New Jersey BB-62 — The training was held in Gun Turret 2, seven decks below the main deck. The further down one goes, the steeper the stairs are.

Confined space training, USS New Jersey BB-62

Below deck 7, USS New Jersey BB-62 — Here, below deck 7, there are no stairs. You climb or are lowered down. In the exercise, a victim must be recovered and extricated from this confined space.

Confined space training, USS New Jersey BB-62 (exposure variant) — Confined space training, USS New Jersey BB-62

Here is where things got a lot more complicated, for me, that is. As it had already been determined that it was safe, I got permission to go into the confined space from Captain Sandrock. It is pitch black in this area, all lighting coming from equipment the firefighters brought down or the flash in my camera, leaving me with a dilemma of how to do two things— one, record what was going on with a degree of detail that you who are reading this can appreciate and learn from; and two, convey some sense of how tight and how dark it was in this space. You will see a few pictures below where I changed different settings on the camera to accomplish the second objective. I am NOT a professional photographer and this was the first time this problem has come my way, so I so hope my solution works for you!

September 14, 2011

Inside the confined space, USS New Jersey BB-62

Orlando Nunez, first firefighter into the confined space — I went in first, and it was DARK. Orlando Nunez was the first firefighter in.

Going through that hole was a learning process… a very small hole and a somewhat overly large me. This is a problem that rescue personnel face, as they are going in with air tanks and all sorts of other equipment strapped on. One has to be very careful not to get caught on something while going about the business at hand.

Confined space rescue training, USS New Jersey BB-62

Orlando Nunez going into another compartment, where he finds the victim.

Captain David Dilks, Lacy Phelps — Captain David Dilks came through to observe. Lacy Phelps is at the hole, as the patient is about to be passed through. He will have to be passed back through the hole on the left, then brought up a ladder.

Brian Beach. He and David Diaz were monitoring air and riggings.

Confined space, USS New Jersey BB-62 (dark exposure) — Confined space, USS New Jersey BB-62 — dark and light exposure

Confined space, USS New Jersey BB-62 (light exposure) — Confined space, USS New Jersey BB-62 — dark and light exposure

At this point I went back through the hole. Lacy Phelps followed me, then Orlando Nunez passed the patient through to him. Once through, the patient was attached to the rigging system, and brought above.

USS New Jersey BB-62 confined space entry permit

Efi Mercado, Gamalier Rivera — Efi Mercado — Gamalier Rivera

Frank Thompson, Gamalier Rivera — Frank Thompson — Gamalier Rivera

Afternoon confined space training session, USS New Jersey BB-62

Efi Mercado, Manny Martinez — Efi Mercado — Manny Martinez

Don Johnson, Frank Sandrock — Don Johnson — Frank Sandrock

Manny Martinez, Efi Mercado — Manny Martinez — Efi Mercado

Ken White, Gamalier Rivera, Frank Thompson — Ken White — Gamalier Rivera — Frank Thompson

Frank Thompson, Manny Martinez, Ken White — Frank Thompson — Manny Martinez — Ken White

Frank Thompson, Manny Martinez, Ken White, Gamalier Rivera — Frank Thompson — Manny Martinez — Ken White — Gamalier Rivera

Frank Sandrock, Manny Martinez, Battalion Chief Don Johnson — Frank Sandrock — Manny Martinez — Battalion Chief Don Johnson

Important Note!

Confined Space Training Aboard the USS New Jersey

Confined Space Training Aboard the USS New Jersey

Photos

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