NNS’ Firefighters Work to Keep Shipbuilders Safe 10 l 24 l 2022
The Newport News Shipbuilding Fire Department has jurisdiction over the shipyard’s 550 acres of waterfront and other outlying buildings. That includes thousands of shipbuilders and Navy personnel, as well as a number of aircraft carriers and submarines in various stages of construction and overhaul.
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
The shipyard environment can lead to unique situations for emergency responders, and that’s why it’s so important for the company to have its own fire department, according to Lt. Joe Sibert. “It’s pretty imperative to have someone with knowledge of the ships for immediate response to any type of incident as opposed to having someone from an outside jurisdiction who doesn’t have a lot of knowledge of what’s going on,” said Sibert, an NNS firefighter for 12 years.
A shipbuilder puts a finishing touch on a John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) compartment just before it is turned over to ship’s force. Photo by Ashley Cowan
NNS Turns Over 1,200th Space on John F. Kennedy Newport News Shipbuilding reached another milestone in the construction of aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). Shipbuilders recently turned over to the ship’s crew the 1,200th compartment of CVN 79’s approximately 2,600 total compartments. The most recently completed spaces house important communications equipment. “It’s the hub for combat systems
communications,” said Construction Superintendent Garrett Blanchette. “Work on this particular complex has been in progress since the platen. It was a significant endeavor that involved the majority of the trades across the value stream.” Now that the spaces have been turned over, test teams will begin energizing internal equipment and start bringing the compartments to life.
NNS firefighters go on regular ship tours and have frequent drills to keep up with changes as construction progresses on vessels. The firefighters – who also are EMS providers – are split into three crews that work 24-hour shifts. Between emergency calls, they stay busy with tasks that include drills, maintaining and checking equipment, completing building inspections and taking a wide range of required training. “We stay pretty active,” said NNS Fire Chief Christopher Wilcox. “The fire station is a home away from home for the crews.” On average, the fire department responds to about four calls per day, but the majority do not involve fire. “For every 15 medic calls we run, we probably get one fire call,” said acting Lt. Mike Symonds. CONTINUED ON PG 2
Keel Laying Set for Nov. 19 Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting a keel laying ceremony for Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. The Little Rock Nine are the ship’s sponsors and will participate in the event. There is a limited number of tickets available for shipbuilders and guests.
move fulfilled the landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Faced with shouting mobs, threats of violence and hostile state leaders who blocked their way, the teenagers were escorted by federal troops at the direction of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Little Rock Nine made history in 1957 as the first African American students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The
Employees who would like to volunteer or request tickets should email ShipbuildingEvents@hii-nns.com.