The U.S. Navy has more firefighters than any other department in the world, because every sailor is trained in firefighting. At sea, the biggest threat to a ship is fire, but 24 hours aboard the USS John F. Kennedy revealed a floating city filled with hazards.

The USS John F. Kennedy was christened by Caroline Kennedy in May 1967 at Newport News, Va., and began active naval service in September 1968. In 2000, the ship earned the title of “Carrier of the New Millennium” as the only carrier at sea on New Year’s Day. Last October, the ship completed the most extensive maintenance period ever conducted pier-side. The Navy invested $300 million in living spaces, steam plants and computer systems, extending the carrier’s life expectancy to 2018.

Last November, Lt. Leslie Hull-Ryde, the public affairs officer for the USS John F. Kennedy, extended an invitation on behalf of the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Ronald Henderson, to visit the ship where “every sailor is a firefighter.”

My daughter Jannine, who was a last-minute replacement for a colleague, and I arrived at the Mayport Naval Air Station near Jacksonville, Fla. We were soon outfitted with a horse-collar life preserver, cranial helmet and goggles for our flight out to the ship in a prop plane.

The carrier, which is affectionately referred to as “Big John,” was a couple hundred miles offshore. After three landing attempts we had to return to the naval station to refuel. It eventually took six attempts to land.

Our arrival briefing included safety tips and a demonstration of how to use an emergency escape breathing device. As we began our tour of the ship’s fire and safety aspects, we hoped to learn more about the At Sea Fire Party, the firefighting crew that is first to respond to any and all emergencies on the USS John F. Kennedy.

Our guides aboard ship were Chief Dylan Inger and Chief Charles McNeil, two of the critical instructors of the damage-control training team that makes sure every sailor knows how to fight a fire. Every sailor goes through an indoctrination program of five days of damage-control training with written exams at the end.

While we were aboard, the USS John F. Kennedy was participating in a composite training unit exercise that included the eight aircraft squadrons. This exercise allows personnel to practice strike group training, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground events. The next exercise is the JTFX, or joint task force exercise, which is a combined effort of the Army, Navy and Air Force. “We are all looking forward to a time when we are surge ready,” said Capt. Mark Guadagnini, the commanding officer for Carrier Airwing Group 17.“We have had a 50% turnover since December 2002. For this deployment to be ready, it is necessary to train and reacquaint all personnel for 15 months.”

Inger had a rigid agenda set up for us as we went through every level of the ship. The ship has eight levels below deck and 10 above; each level is compartmentalized and can be closed off in the event of a disaster. Ceilings are crisscrossed with jet-fuel lines, waste lines, steam-heat lines and masses of electrical wires.

Inger pointed out hazards that the At Sea Fire Party must be prepared to handle and equipment available. Drills demonstrated the ASFP’s response to fires, extrication, confined-space rescues and water drafting. At 9 p.m., McNeill took over for more touring from the steam boilers up to “mid-rats,” the midnight snack. At 2 a.m. we went to our bunks and were awakened at 6 a.m. for breakfast and more touring.

The most amazing thing about the At Sea Fire Party was its members’ quiet demeanor in this rank-conscious floating city. Surrounded by multi-million dollar jet planes, swaggering jet pilots and high-tech computerized equipment, the crew of red jumpsuits worked quietly but were ready to respond in a moment to any hazard that might threaten the ship and its inhabitants.