RESPONSIBILITIES All  members  of  the  ship’s  company  should know  their  damage  control  responsibilities  and realize  the  importance  of  damage  control.  The importance of efficient damage control cannot be overemphasized.  Damage  control  readiness  can only be achieved by a firm program stimulated by effective and dynamic leadership. This program should be executed by enthusiastic, well-trained, and  determined  officers  and  crew  from  all departments on board. While no area can be fully  covered,  the  basic  responsibilities  of  key individuals in the damage control organization are stated  in  the  following  paragraphs. Commanding  Officer Chapter 8, U.S.  Navy  Regulations, the  various  broad  responsibilities  of manding  officer  (CO).  For  example, must “maintain his or her command of  maximum  effectiveness  for  war delineates the  com- he or she in a state or  other service . . . .  Immediately  after  a  battle  or  action, repair  damages  so  far  as  possible,  [and]  exert  every effort  to  prepare  the  command  for  further service . . . .” To  carry  out  this  charge,  the  commanding officer ensures the command is well trained and continually  exercised  in  all  aspects  of  damage control.  The  commanding  officer  should  be  fully aware  of  all  of  the  ship’s  weaknesses,  including the  adequacy  and  operability  of  all  damage control   equipment. Executive  Officer The  executive  officer  (XO)  keeps  the  command advised  of  the  status  of  the  ship’s  damage  control readiness.  The  executive  officer  carries  out  the  re- quirements  of  command  damage  control  training, including  the  ship’s  readiness  to  combat  all casualties  and  damage  caused  by  hostile  acts  or other   occurrences. Officer of the Deck The  officer  of  the  deck  (OOD)  is  the  senior member of the underway watch team and is the primary  assistant  to  the  commanding  officer  on the  bridge.  The  OOD  should  be  intimately familiar  with  the  ship,  its  material  condition,  and established  procedures  for  emergencies.  The  OOD should  know  and  understand  the  correct  course of  action,  or  options,  for  various  damage  control situations. The OOD should be able to analyze a  situation  quickly  and  take  prompt,  positive, and  correct  counteraction.  The  OOD’s  ability  to react properly and promptly will be directly proportional to his or her knowledge of the ship, damage  control  procedures,  equipment  available, and  training  received. Division  Officer The  division  officer  is  responsible  for  taking all  practical  preliminary  measures  before  damage occurs, such as maintenance of watertight and air- tight integrity, removal of fire hazards, and upkeep  of  emergency  equipment.  Division  officers ensure that all equipment, closures, and markings under  their  cognizance  are  kept  in  the  best  possible condition. This is done by periodic inspections, adherence  to  planned  maintenance  system  (PMS) checks  by  division  damage  control  petty  officers (DDCPOs), and training of personnel within the division. Damage  Control  Petty  Officer A  qualified  senior  petty  officer  in  each  division is designated as damage control petty officer (DCPO).  Section  leaders  of  each  section  are designated as duty DCPOs outside of normal working hours in port; they also perform the duties of the DCPO at some time during their tour of  duty.  Division  officers  notify  the  fire  marshal and  the  damage  control  assistant  (DCA)  of  DCPO and duty DCPO assignments and of any changes to these assignments. DCPOs should have received formal training and be qualified before assign- ment. DCPOs  normally  serve  for  a  period  of  6 months. They check in and out with the fire marshal and DCA upon being assigned to or released  from  such  duties. Duties and Responsibilities of the DCPO The DCPO and duty DCPOs (duty section leaders)   have   the   following   duties   and responsibilities: Being  acquainted  with  all  phases  of  the  ship’s damage  control,  fire-fighting,  and  defense  pro- cedures Assisting  in  the  instruction  of  division  person- nel  in  damage  control,  fire-fighting,  and  chemical, biological,  and  radiological  (CBR)  defense  pro- cedures 7-3