Firefighter Emergency Procedures

• The terms "Emergency" or "May-Day" will cause all other radio transmissions to cease
• This provides adequate airtime for the firefighter making the report to complete their transmission without interference, which will help activate needed help faster
• PARs are conducted every 20 minutes and when a sudden hazardous event occurs like backdraft or collapse
• The IC will contact each division or company to confirm the safety of all members
• If a member is reported missing, the IC will request the next greater alarm and immediately assign a search of the firefighter's last known location

Emergency Evacuation

• It involves the immediate removal of people from a hazardous area, often due to changing conditions (e.g., possible structure collapse, moving from offensive to defensive positions)
• When an emergency evacuation is required, the IC will notify the dispatcher
• The dispatcher will tone-alert all frequencies simultaneously for 5 seconds and notify all companies on scene of the emergency evacuation
• All on-scene apparatus will sound their air horns continuously for 30 seconds
• An immediate PAR will be called at this time
• All companies must immediately evacuate the area, account for their members, and provide a personnel report to the IC or their division officer

Firefighter Safety and Survival

• Firefighters risk getting lost or trapped in hazardous areas
• 30% of firefighter deaths and injuries happen when firefighters become lost or trapped in structures
• The ability to survive depends on their own actions, the actions of the IC, and RIT

Calling for Help

• Firefighters who are trapped or lost need to ask for assistance in the following way
• Immediately use the term "May-Day” by radio three times "MAY-DAY, MAY-DAY, MAY-DAY"
• If there is no response on the assigned tactical channel switch to channel 1 and repeat
• Report the unit, situation encountered, and location
  • Example: "MAY-DAY, MAY-DAY, MAYDAY E-33 FF I am (lost, trapped, out of air etc.) in a 2nd floor bedroom."

Emergency procedures in firefighting require immediate radio silence to facilitate critical transmissions. Personnel Accounting Reports (PARs) are conducted every 20 minutes or after hazardous events. Emergency evacuation involves rapid removal from danger, signaled by the Incident Commander (IC) through dispatch.