USCG Exam PracticeFirefighting, damage control, and emergency response
According to the recommended firefighting sequence, after alerting the crew and isolating the fire by closing hatches and shutting off ventilation, what is the NEXT step before attacking with an extinguisher?
- ✓ Shut off fuel and electrical supply to the affected spaceCorrect
- B. Ventilate the space carefully to clear smoke
- C. Confirm the fire is extinguished
- D. Notify the Coast Guard by radiotelephone
Why A is correct
The Boatswain Manual firefighting sequence is: alert the crew, isolate the fire (close hatches, ventilation), shut off fuel and electrical to the affected space, then attack with the appropriate extinguisher, confirm extinguished, and ventilate carefully to prevent re-ignition. Shutting off fuel and electrical precedes the attack phase. USCG Boatswain Manual Ch. 6 §6.3.