Phase IV (Routine Aid and Assistance) Phase  IV  consists  of  routine  aid  and assistance.  The  general  objectives  of  this  phase are to · continue  medical  and  rescue  work; · provide  food  and  supplies  as  required  and directed; · commence repair of utilities, such as communications, water, and electrical supply insofar as practical; and · provide  temporary  shelter. Phase V (Withdrawal) Phase  V  is  the  withdrawal  phase.  When  the situation  is  under  control,  the  unit  will  withdraw from the disaster area. Phase V is only emergency relief,  not  rehabilitation.  Its  primary  purpose  is to assist in a disaster area. All equipment and supplies not authorized to be left behind will be recovered and returned to the command. SUMMARY There can be no substitute for training and preparation  in  situations  requiring  damage  control action.  Damage  resulting  from  battle,  fire, collision,  and  CBR  attack  must  be  brought  under control as soon as possible to ensure the survival of ship and crew. Successful damage control requires  a  detailed  knowledge  of  the  ship’s construction,  characteristics,  compartmentation, and stability. It also includes knowledge of those design  features  and  equipments  used  to  prevent or  control  damage  should  the  ship  be  endangered. The  control  of  damage  depends  on  the  ability  and the  initiative  of  personnel  to  take  prompt corrective  action  using  materials  that  are  readily available. As a senior petty officer, you will often be placed in a position of responsibility for training or leading damage control repair parties. This is not to say that you must know everything there is  to  know  about  damage  control.  But,  you should be aware of the types of information and training  that  are  available.  Take  advantage  of  the ship’s damage control library for conducting training on board. Your personnel should be cross-trained  in  damage  control  procedures  to build  more  effective  and  versatile  teams. In the event of a CBR attack, fast action on the  part  of  all  personnel  can  minimize  injury  and prolonged incapacity. Knowing what actions to take and when to take them can mean the difference  between  survival  and  death  and winning  and  losing  a  battle.  Properly  applied self-aid,  first  aid,  and  personnel  decontamination can increase your chances of recovery from CBR exposure. Natural disasters can occur at any time or any place in many forms, such as flooding, earth- quakes,  and  hurricanes.  As  a  senior  petty  officer, you  may  be  required  to  lead  a  civil  disaster  detail ashore. Knowing what your duties are and what to expect following a disaster can save lives and property. REFERENCES Naval  Ships’  Technical  Manual,  Chapter  070, Radiological  Recovery  of  Ships  After  Nuclear Weapons  Explosion,  Naval  Sea  Systems  Com- mand,  Washington  D.C.,  1977. Naval  Ships’  Technical  Manual,  Chapter  470, Shipboard BW/CW Defense and Counter- measures, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington,  D.C.,  1990. Repair  Party  Manual,  COMNAVSURFLANT- INST 3541.1C and COMNAVSURFPACINST 3541.4B, Commanders Naval Surface Forces, United  States,  Atlantic/Pacific  Fleets,  Norfolk, Va.  and  San  Diego,  Calif.,  1991. Ship Repair Party Manual,  COMNAVAIRLANT- INST  5400.27B,  Commander,  Naval  Air Forces,  United  States  Atlantic  Fleet,  Norfolk, Va., 1985. Standard  Organization  and  Regulations  of  the U.S.  Navy,  OPNAVINST  3120.32B,  Office of  the  Chief  of  Naval  Operations,  Washington, D.C.,  1986. Surface  Ship  Survivability,  NWP  62-1  (Rev.  C), Office  of  the  Chief  of  Naval  Operations, Washington,  D.C.,  1989. 7-33