The ''Discovery'' is a
fireboat launched on the
Columbia River
The Columbia River ( Upper Chinook: ' or '; Sahaptin: ''Nch’i-Wàna'' or ''Nchi wana''; Sinixt dialect'' '') is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia ...
in 2014.
[
][
][
]
The Discovery is operated by the
Vancouver Fire Department.
[ The vessel can pump for firefighting, and is the city's first dedicated fireboat.
She was purchased through a port security grant from the ]Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Ex ...
.[
The $2.7 million grant was shared with the Fire Department of nearby ]Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a port city and the seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state and was the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. The county is the northwest corne ...
, and Clark County Fire & Rescue.
In 2002 a Washington Survey and Review Bureau evaluation reported that Vancouver maritime commerce was well above the size where the city needed a dedicated fireboat.[
]
The publication of the report triggered an increase local insurance rates. The FEMA research paper ''Marine Response Vessel Use and Design Assessment'' recommended that Vancouver's fireboat should have a minimum pumping capacity of at least .
Operation
In addition to her fire-fighting capability the vessel is equipped with infrared sensors to support search and rescue missions.[
In her cabin there is a decontamination station as well as facilities for providing emergency medical care and transportation. She is equipped with equipment to contain oil and other hazardous material spills. In addition, she was designed to be of use in the event of natural or man-made disasters, like earthquakes, or terrorist attacks.
The Discovery is available to respond anywhere on the Columbia River system (when staffed)
The Discovery is not staffed full time. She operates with a minimum crew of 3- pilot, deckhand and rescue swimmer. In normal circumstances, this crew is assigned to a "marine engine company" in town, which must respond several miles to reach the Discovery for an emergency response. If that engine company is committed to an incident, or if the engine crew on a given day does not contain the requisite pilot, deckhand and swimmer, the Discovery cannot operate and won't be dispatched.
]
References
{{Reflist, refs=
[
{{cite news
, url = http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/dec/02/new-fire-boat-to-the-rescue/#
, title = New fire boat coming to the rescue?
, work = ]The Columbian
''The Columbian'' is a daily newspaper serving the Vancouver, Washington, and Clark County, Washington area. The paper was published for its first decade (1890–1900) as a four-page daily that was meant as a counterweight to the local Republi ...
, author = Stephanie Rice
, date = 2012-12-02
, accessdate = 2018-03-03
, quote = The Coast Guard, after conducting a study of regional needs, supported the city's application for a Department of Homeland Security grant.
Ships of the United States
Fireboats of the United States
2014 ships