Italian Firefighters Invent New Tool for Ship Fire Hoseline Training

After years of International marine firefighting experiences, LT Francesco Cecconetto and his friend and colleague BC Luca Beltrami (Genoa Fire Dept., Italy) patented a special device called “Hose Line Air Supply System 900“ in order to train crew members in the same way as we train in our fire station.

The training device is designed for ship fire teams. In fact, one of the most difficult situations for fire teams during shipboard fires is handling the hoseline (advancement/retreating), especially in gas cooling operations. Generally, the fire teams train themselves with empty hoses due the impossibility to drain water on board. We can imagine ship areas like accommodation zones, passenger cabins and machinery spaces.

Training with dry hoselines does not give a real perception of the difficulties that firefighters will meet in a real scenario. The possibility of filling the hoseline with air, thanks to the Hose Line Air Supply System 900, gives a real perception of hose line handling along stairways, vertical access, corridors and pinch points.

This device is part of five days of firefighting training, but once learned, crew members are able to train themselves during general drills onboard. Many cruise ship  companies are interested in this innovative training method. We experienced this innovative training method on board of Silversea cruises, and all safety officers ask for this tool.

The tool is produced and distributed by SALDOTENICA EUROPE S.r.l, a Genoa-based company leader in the production of oxy-cutting machines.