REPORT ON ALTERNATIVES TO NAVY OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS POR SHIPBOARD FIREFIGHTING

SEC. 1615. REPORT ON ALTERNATIVES TO NAVY OXYGEN BREATHING APPARATUS POR SHIPBOARD FIREFIGHTING (a) Study.—The Secretary of the Navy shall evaluate alternatives to the Oxygen Breathing Apparatus (OBA) of the Navy used in shipboard firefighting. The evaluation shall include consideration of— (1) firefighting breathing devices which are used by other government agencies; 103 STAT. 1602 (2) firefighting breathing devices which are commercially available; and (3) undeveloped technologies which could lead to the development of a more effective breathing device for shipboard fire-fighting. (b) Criteria.—In performing the evaluation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the following criteria for firefighting breathing devices: (1) Uninterrupted breathing duration. (2) Adaptability to shipboard space limitations. (3) Portability m use. (4) Training requirements for effective use. (5) Cost. (6) Availability. (c) Report.—(1) The Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the evaluation under subsection (a). The report shall include an acquisition plan for providing an improved breathing apparatus for shipboard firefighting as soon as possible. In preparing that plan, the Secretary shall consider the use of any available expedited research and development and acquisition procedures. (2) The report shall be submitted no later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.