As reservists with civilian careers, members of Naval Facilities Engineering Command's Contingency Engineering Unit (NAVFAC CEU) leverage their skills and experiences as engineers, architects and experts in the construction industry to support the needs of the Navy.

The unit has an authorized strength of 88 Civil Engineer Corps officers, two Supply Corps officers, and five enlisted personnel with a range of experiences and professional skills to select from that are in demand and they stand ready to provide a wide range of support.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contingency Engineering Unit provides real estate, base operating support integrator, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief and contracting support to NAVFAC, fleet and combatant commanders.

During a recent active duty training assignment for Lt. Kevin Darmody of NAVFAC CEU's Northeast Detachment, this range of skills was exemplified.

Darmody's original mission was to provide data collection field work in support of the Geographic Information System Common Installation Picture program for NAVFAC Southwest in San Diego. However, with his civilian background as a fire protection engineer, NAVFAC Southwest (SW) fulfilled a more immediate need to support the Coastal Integrated Products Team.

"NAVFAC Southwest had a reduction of engineers, but was maintaining a heavy workload," said Darmody. "My background in life safety and fire protection engineering provided much needed support for a number of projects."

One project Darmody provided assistance to was the Littoral Combat Ship Training Facility.

He reviewed and recommended approval of the facility's clean agent system design as well as review of the proposed fire alarm system.

Darmody's expertise was in demand and appreciated by the personnel at NAVFAC SW.

"We, here at NAVFAC Southwest were in dire need of fire protection engineer support and Lt. Darmody is an exceptional fire protection engineer," said Daniel Bridgett, the NAVFAC Southwest lead fire protection engineer. "Although we wish he could have stayed longer, we appreciate the work he was able to accomplish during his tour," Bridgett continued by saying, "I believe the decision to permit him to serve in an fire protection engineer role was an exceptional management decision."

On a Fitness and Liberty Center project, Darmody was involved with code research that provided the contractor with directions for the installation of safe and code compliant seating risers.

He also met with the construction manager of a child development center to discuss fire protection issues that were causing serious delays to the construction schedule.

Darmody provided guidance on how to get the fire protection and life safety portions of the project moving forward and reviewed drawings for general compliance.

"We were able to identify areas where the contractor can focus attention to maximize efficiency and reduce further delays to the benefit of each party involved," said Darmody.

With his knowledge and civilian experience with fire protection and life safety issues, Darmody was able to leverage those skills and adapt to the changing mission requirements in order to support the most pressing needs of NAVFAC Southwest.

To learn more about NAVFAC CEU and our capabilities please visit the following sites: http://www.navfac.navy.mil/contact_us.html
https://tinyurl.com/NAVFAC-CEU

For more news from Commander, Navy Reserve Force, visit www.navy.mil/.