THE PORT OF VIRGINIA

The mission of the MIRT is to provide immediate on-scene maritime advice and agency liaison to Incident Commanders responding to fires in the marine environment. The MIRT will promote marine fire fighting team building efforts in the Port of Hampton Roads through an ongoing program of training and drills. The Hampton Roads Marine Fire Fighting Symposium is one of the methods through which the MIRT conducts its training.

The MIRT is a task force comprised of personnel from the following agencies:

• BP Amoco Yorktown Fire Department
• Chesapeake Fire Department
• Chesterfield County Fire Department
• Hampton Fire Department
• National Cargo Bureau
• Newport News Fire Department
• Norfolk Fire Department
• Portsmouth Fire Department
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Maritime Administration (MARAD)
• United States Navy
• Virginia Beach Fire Department
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management
• Virginia Pilots Association
• Virginia Port Authority
• York County Fire Department

These agencies have various and overlapping expertise in shipboard firefighting, damage control, stability, ship construction, and hazardous materials incident response.

The MIRT's role is limited to the following:

• Assist any vessel master of a ship in port that is on fire or experiencing a related type of emergency, either by sizing up the situation or suggesting action to control the emergency
• Assist the local fire chief with an incident in his/her jurisdiction
• Compile a detailed list of commercial and military sources of specialized marine firefighting equipment and identify alternative firefighting piers.
• Provide information and expertise on the type of firefighting equipment available on particular vessels.
• Provide a review and analysis of a ship's fire control plan
• Participate in local fire department training exercises an the annual exercise required by this plan
• Be called upon anytime this plan is put into effect for any marine disaster in the harbor or offshore waters
• Be called upon at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard

The Virginia General Assembly has allocated funds to maintain and support the MIRT.  These funds are distributed via the Virginia Port Authority (VPA).  The VPA is responsible for the storage and maintenance of MIRT equipment.

When the COTP requests MIRT activation, the MIRT Director and the Marine Safety Office MIRT Representative will be notified immediately by the MSO Command Duty Officer (CDO).  The MSO MIRT member will obtain response communications equipment form the MSO or the MIRT and report to the on-scene Incident Commander, where the member will provide a communications link between the COTP an the Incident Commander.  The MSO Representative may remain with the MIRT Advance Team during the incident.