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to end of pageFrom the Navy News Service
July 9, 2003, LA MADDALENA, Italy (NNS) - The crew of USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) sprang into action July 8, keeping their ship, the port support installation and the eastern part of Santo Stefano Island - where Land is homeported - safe from an advancing bush fire.
The fire erupted on the western side of the island and raced toward the ship in the late afternoon, after many crew members had already left for the day.
In response to the threat, an all-hands work force was assembled by the command duty officer to combat the fire, which was then rapidly nearing buildings filled with hazardous material, fuel and berthing facilities.
From there, Land, with the assistance of fire fighting teams from USS Providence (SSN 719) and Naval Support Activity La Maddalena, worked to keep the fire from reaching the ship and its immediate surroundings.
"There was at least a half-mile of territory that we needed to defend from the flames," said Land Commanding Officer Capt. David Volonino. "One of the initial problems was how to get enough sources of water and a sufficient number of hoses out there to stop the rapidly-spreading fire. Our first order was to establish 10 hoses and teams. We eventually had 13 hoses and teams fighting the fire."
Volonino, along with Executive Officer Cmdr. Jack Gustafson, coordinated the fire response from the brow of the ship using VHF radios and cellular phones. With an overall view of the blaze, they were able to orchestrate, through direct lines of communication with on-scene leaders, the wetting down of a perimeter about 220 yards from the fire.
Then, as the fire drew near, the hose teams attacked the advancing flames directly.
"Many of the fire fighters wanted to charge up the hill and attack the flames directly. I had to keep pulling the teams back over the VHF radios," said Gustafson. "My fear was that... there was a possibility of hose teams getting too far ahead of adjacent teams and getting cut off by pockets of flames behind them. Defending against a half mile long wall of flame took the establishment of a half mile long wall of water."
Command Master Chief (SS) Joel Allison reported more than 5,000 feet of ship's hoses were used to combat the fire, including one hose that extended out to 1,300 feet. Even at that distance, Land's bank of fire pumps put out enough pressure to shoot water 50 feet from the hose nozzle.
In addition, hazardous material was removed from the storage areas near the fence line, and ladders were positioned to allow rooftop access for the firefighters. Also, a medical support team was established on the pier in front of the recreation center to treat any potential victims of smoke inhalation or heat stress, and to monitor hydration levels.
Fortunately, there were no personnel injuries reported.
Land has a crew of about 1,300 Sailors, but some people had already gone home for the day when the fire erupted. Santo Stefano Island has no fire department, but Italian water-carrying helicopters rendered vital assistance. The ship's chief engineer, Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Ledbetter, estimated more than 350 of the ship's personnel were directly involved in combating the casualty. Most worked from start-to-finish with no breaks.
All told, the crew fought the fire for more than four hours.
"I do not have the words to describe how proud I am of them," said Volonino. "Together the crew of Emory S. Land, along with Sailors from USS Providence (SSN 719) and from the Naval Support Activity La Maddalena, demonstrated courage, strength, teamwork and the value of proper damage control."
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