The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and the Pacific Northwest Maritime Institute (PNMI) Seattle (USA), announced the successful completion of the pilot program designed to enhance the tactical fire fighting capabilities on board cruise vessels and to dramatically reduce the response time. Carnival Cruise Lines chose MITAGS because of its leadership in developing well-defined programs that meet its company guidelines, as well as governmental and international training, said Glen Paine, Executive Director of MITAGS.

The Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) covered the techniques and control of fire fighting operations, with emphasis on organization, tactics and command functions. This course included all elements of 46 CFR parts 10.205(1)(2), 10.205(g), 10.301-303, 10.401(g)(1) and STCW-95 Section A-VI/3 and Table A-VI/3. Each program was tailored to the specifics of the class of vessel trained.

The Rapid Response Investigation Team Training (RRIT) component was a unique course designed to dramatically reduce the “fire response time.” The RRIT teams brought the average incident response time down to two minutes from a previous eight minutes. The RRIT is a special unit incorporated into the traditional fire fighting system.