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Minimum maritime firefighting capability standards for naval installations that berth large naval vessels

Division A · Title III: Operation and Maintenance · Subtitle E: Other Matters

Plain-language summaryAI

The Navy must set minimum firefighting standards for naval bases that dock large ships, covering equipment capacity, response times, foam and hazardous material handling, coordination with ship systems, and backup firefighting resources. Within a year, the Navy must submit a plan identifying bases that don't meet these standards and propose ways to fix gaps, including costs and options like new fireboats or partnerships with local fire departments. The plan must also address improving fire safety oversight, contract payment terms, liability limits, and safety standards in quality assurance.

AI-generated from this section’s text — a quick orientation, not a substitute for the full text below. Not legal advice.

Section Text · Sec. 360.
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(a) In general

The Secretary of the Navy shall establish minimum maritime firefighting capability standards for naval installations that berth large naval vessels. Such standards shall include each of the following:

(1)

The minimum pumping capacity required to support firefighting operations aboard naval vessels moored at piers or within harbor areas.

(2)

Required response times for waterside firefighting assets.

(3)

The availability of firefighting foam systems and hazardous material response capability suitable for aviation fuel and shipboard fires.

(4)

The integration of waterside firefighting assets with shipboard damage control systems.

(5)

The availability of redundant maritime firefighting capability in the event of simultaneous emergencies.

(b) Implementation plan

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan to implement the standards established under subsection (a) and to improve fire prevention at private sector repair yards. Such plan shall include each of the following:

(1)

An identification of installations that do not meet the standards, as of the date of the submission of the plan.

(2)

Options for addressing capability gaps, including procurement of fireboats, modernization of existing vessels, or agreements with municipal or port authority fire departments.

(3)

Estimated costs associated with implementing the plan.

(4)

Mechanisms to maximize available resources across organizations responsible for fire safety oversight to better ensure contractor fire safety oversight and alleviate the burden on members of the Navy.

(5)

Options to reassess progress payment retention rate for surface ship maintenance contracts based on an assessment of the risk to the Government.

(6)

Options to reassess the ship repair limitation of liability clause.

(7)

The incorporation of safety performance standards into the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan of the Secretary.