NAFTES (Naval Fire Fighting Training and Educational System) is a holistic framework for the training of crew and officers in simulated fire conditions in representative ship engineering compartments. The NAFTES Project provides a fully functional personalized learning environment that introduces an innovative, both theoretic and hands on, firefighting training approach. Its goal is the incorporation and constructive use of web and AR technologies in the teaching and learning process for both basic and advanced firefighting training. NAFTES is considered of paramount importance to the Greek, Italian and Cypriot shipping industry, one of the most important sectors of the economy of these countries. 

In this section, a brief introduction of NAFTES course will be presented, as well as what are the goals and requirement of this class.

The basic knowledge one must have about fire, also known as Theory of Fire. In order for a person to confront a fire rapidly and efficiently, he or she must be aware of the fundamentals of firefighting.

 In this course, the trainees will be taught about the three basic components that are necessary for a fire to be formed: heat, fire and fuel (also known as the fire triangle). Subsequently, the trainees are informed about the different types of fires that they may come up against. Finally, they will be taught about using the correct kind of fire extinguisher, depending on the type of fire, as well as suitable fire extinguishing equipment, such as firefighting suits, gloves, helmets and bootsThe basic knowledge one must have about fire, also known as Theory of Fire.

A flashover is the near-simultaneous ignition of most of the directly exposed combustible material in an enclosed area. Whereas a backdraft, is a dramatic event caused by a fire, resulting from rapid re-introduction of oxygen to combustion in an oxygen-depleted environment.

In this course, the trainees will be briefed about the fundamentals concerning two extremely dangerous phenomena that may occur in case of a fire in a ship compartment; Flashover and Backdraft.

Properly using a Breathing Apparatus is of utmost importance as it can make the difference between life and death. The Palaskas Training Center. Damage Conctrol School has in its possession two different kinds of breathing apparatus; the Interspiro Breathing Apparatus and the Ocenco Emergency Escape Breathing Device, both of which can prove to be exceptionally useful in case of a fire emergency.

At this stage, the Damage Control School’s instructors offer not only a theoretical presentation of the devices, but a practical demonstration as well, covering topics such as correct application of the devices and proper use.

Theory is of paramount importance, but without extensive practical experience one cannot hope to react efficiently in a real life emergency. Thus, in Damage Control Center we give big emphasis on the hands on experience on realistic conditions.

In this course, application and familiarization with portable fire extinguishing equipment without the presence of fire (also known as COLD training) will take place.This includes the different kinds of fire extinguishers discussed on the previous lesson, the proper use of a hose and the technique of entering a flaming compartment while holding a flexible hose and finally the different kinds of nozzles that each type of extinguisher demands.

Effective firefighting cannot be without the knowledge of the required theory combined with experience. In this pursuit, here in Damage Control Center School we give big emphasis on developing our trainees in both aspects.

Continuing the practical training, the trainees are taught the basic procedures in case of a fire, as well as the proper way to announce a fire so that everyone is alerted timely. Finally, they are asked to extinguish a real fire (known as Hands-On Training, HOT) through the actual use of the correct type of fire extinguisher, depending on the type of fire.

EEBD stands for Emergency Escape Breathing Device. OCENCO M-20.2 is an EEB device.

Statistics reveal that it is the inhalation of smoke, gases and vapors that is responsible for the majority of deaths in the case of a fire. Therefore, in order one to protect themselves while trying to escape from a hazardous environment the Emergency Escape Breathing Device can prove a life saver. The Emergency Escape Breathing Device is a one shot, short duration re-breathing set that provides respiratory protections for personnel escaping from a toxic or smoke filled atmosphere.

In this course, the trainees will learn how to wear the Emergency Escape Breathing Device and use it to escape a smoke filled environment.

The last day includes only Hands-On Training with the use of a number of realistic training scenarios. What the trainees are taught is to further refine their fire detection skills as well as their first reactions upon detecting a fire. Also, the technique of re-entering a burning compartment through a door or through a hatch is meticulously practiced.

Thanks to the Damage Control School’s state of the art firefighting simulator there are 5 different scenarios that may be simulated. The competency level of each trainee is evaluated by the instructors during the executions of the firefighting scenarios.