SENATOR COLLINS PRAISES FIREFIGHTERS WHO BATTLED BLAZE AT PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD

            WASHINGTON, D.C.- In a telephone conversation this morning with Captain Bryant Fuller, Commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, U.S. Senator Susan Collins expressed her concern for firefighters and shipyard personnel involved in a fire aboard the USS Miami.  The fire broke out late Wednesday aboard the nuclear submarine.

            Senator Collins is Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and also serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

            Following is her statement.

            "In situations like this, we see just how brave our first responders are.  When the alarm rings, as it did Wednesday, they never hesitate to put themselves in harm's way.  They risk their lives to save others.  For this, we are all grateful. 

            "I spoke to Captain Fuller who described the tremendous effort it took to battle this blaze. 

I am impressed with the incredible work of some 150 firefighters, led by the Shipyard's unit, and involving firefighters from more than 15 communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  I understand this was an incredibly challenging and dangerous fire to fight because the heat and smoke were so intense and, at times, firefighters were operating in total darkness.

            "I am relieved to learn that all seven of those injured while fighting this fire have been released from the hospital and they are doing well.

            "The Navy alerted me to the fire Wednesday evening and assured me that the nuclear reactor on board the submarine was off and that the fire had been contained.  Though the cause of the fire is unknown at this point, an investigation has begun.

            "Today, my thoughts are with the skilled workers at the shipyard and with all of the firefighters, and their families, who put their lives on the line every day."