Firefighter Emergency Procedures

Introduction

• The purpose of this document is to instruct Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel on calling for immediate assistance.
• It is also intended to help with resource management to ensure effective rescue during a firefighter emergency.
• Fire grounds are dynamic with unexpected situations; firefighter lives may be in danger, requiring immediate assistance.
• Incident command must quickly allocate resources for rescue; the policy aims to improve personnel effectiveness during emergencies.
• This instruction applies to all sworn personnel, including call firefighters.
• The Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations manages content, revisions, and reviews.
• Appendix I contains Firefighter Emergency Communications Table I.
• Appendix II contains Firefighter Emergency Communications Table II.
• Appendix III provides relevant definitions.

Firefighter Responsibilities

• All department personnel must initiate a "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" call on the primary tactical channel when a life is in danger.
• Personnel should be prepared to assist in rapid intervention operations.
• Clear accidental emergency alert button (EAB)/E-Trigger activations and provide proper notifications.
• Operations section chiefs, division/group supervisors, and company officers must immediately notify the incident commander (IC) of any firefighter emergency.
• Providing the IC with regular status reports affecting the incident action plan is imperitive.
• Necessary adjustments to tactical objectives will help support lost, injured, separated, trapped, out-of-air, or downed personnel.
• It is essential to provide accurate personnel accountability reports (PAR) when ordered.
• Be prepared to assist with rapid intervention operations; company officers must take initiative, engage, and report (TIER) to the IC if they can assist with an immediate rescue.
• Incident Commanders (ICs) must clear radio traffic on command/ tactical frequencies upon receiving MAYDAY information.
• They do this by initiating a warble tone on the TAC channel and communicate specific instructions: "All companies on the ______ Incident, we have a MAYDAY in progress; clear this channel; member with the MAYDAY, go with your traffic.”
• Immediately implement rapid intervention operation when a MAYDAY call is received.
• Request additional alarms and resources to manage the needs of the incident
• Adapt the Incident Action Plan to changing needs.
• Formulate and implement updated incident priorities, strategic and tactical objectives, incident organization, communications plan, situation, and resource status.
• Accountability of resource and personnel location must be provided as per department policies.

MAYDAY Policy

• Any member at an incident must call MAYDAY when a life is in danger and immediate assistance is needed, using the TAC radio.
• Such times can be recalled using the mnemonic LIST-30.

LIST-30 Mnemonic

• Lost and/or separated from crew should trigger a mayday.
• Limited visibility requires a MAYDAY
• If there is no physical contact with a hose line, lifeline, and/or partner.
• Injuries resulting in a reduced ability to exit safely should trigger a mayday.
• SCBA malfunction and/or low air triggers a mayday when unable to safely reach an exit.
• Being trapped, pinned, and/or entangled in debris dictates a MAYDAY call
• Mobility issues caused by heat, structural collapse, debris, and/or inoperable/blocked doors/exits.
• A MAYDAY is mandated for any life-threatening condition that cannot be resolved within 30 seconds as it acts as a reminder to focus on self-rescue and gathering information.

MAYDAY Procedures

• If confronted with a LIST-30 situation, key the mic on the assigned TAC channel.
• Your initial radio transmission shall be: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, Name, and Unit assigned.”
• All radio traffic stops after a MAYDAY call.
• IC responsibilities responding to a mayday call.
• The IC can broadcast an alert tone to all resourses.
• Personnel on command and tactical frequencies need to be notified about the Mayday in progress.
• ICs must then keep radio communications disciplined.
• An alert/warble tone, without E-Trigger activation, can be initiated by first keying the mic to open the channel and then depressing the orange E-Trigger button while still keying the mic.
• The distressed firefighter must identify the nature of the MAYDAY call by transmitting the following information (Who – What – Where):
  • Identity: “This is FF Smith on Engine 1.”
  • Emergency: "I'm lost…”
  • Location: “I think I am on the first floor."
  • Any information that would allow rescuers to be the most effective:
    • “I took the 300’ transverse line off Engine 3.”
    • “The last thing I remember was going up the staircase.”
    • “It feels like I am in a storage room,” etc.
• The distressed firefighter or another firefighter needs to key the mic on the assigned TAC channel if the first attempt to contact the IC is unsuccessful.
• They must then repeat "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, Name, and Unit.”
• The firefighter should immediately activate the EAB/E-Trigger if the second attempt to contact the IC is also unsuccessful.
• Depress and hold the EAB/E-Trigger on the radio or lapel mic for two seconds deliberately.
• After two to three seconds, wait for the Hi-Lo warble tone and repeat, "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is FF Smith on Engine 1."
• Depressing the orange button on the radio or on the lapel microphone for two seconds activates the EAB/E-Trigger.
  • Activation of the EAB/E-Trigger is confirmed by a momentary hi-lo tone heard by all receiving radios.
  • The EAB/E-Trigger-activated radio sends a radio identification (ID) signal to all radios assigned to the frequency until reset.
• When there is EAB/E-Trigger activation, The IC identifies the firefighter in trouble.
  • This is done using the on-screen radio identification and PAR
  • Command with TAC radios will send ”Emergency Traffic” transmissions.
• The individual responsible for the EAB/E-Trigger activation requests information.
• If the activation is due to a firefighter emergency request, the IC will follow emergency procedures.

EAB and normal radio traffic

• For an accidental EAB/E-Trigger activation, the individual must notify the IC immediately.
• Clear the accidental activation and reset the radio by depressing the EAB/E-Trigger for three seconds.
• The IC then advises all personnel to resume normal radio traffic to the incident and saying, “All clear”.
• Commanders are responsible for commanding firefighter emergency after receiving the MAYDAY call.
• Once the MAYDAY call/EAB/E-Trigger is activated, the IC takes command of the firefighter emergency.
• The IC/rapid intervention group supervisor (RIGS) must document the firefighter’s name and/or display radio ID.
• Activating the EAB/E-Trigger displays the term “EMERGENCY”.
• The IC transmits Who, What, and Where information back to the distressed firefighter on TAC to ensure information was heard correctly.
• The firefighter is instructed to perform self-survival procedures of GRAB LIVES.
• The firefighter is then notified that the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) has been deployed.
• The IC deploys the RIC via face-to-face communication at the command post or confirms they are deployed via radio communication.
• Both Command and TAC radios simulatiniously transmit an "Emergency Traffic” declaration stating a MAYDAY call has been received.
  • The transmission includes firefighter’s rank, equipment, problem, and location.
• LACC is contacted by the IC for additional resources (if needed).
• The second or third-alarm resources, air cache, additional paramedic squad, and ambulance are requested.
• All units assigned to the incident must continue their tactical assignments in support of incident priorities, so the IC notifies them.
• The IC keeps the primary tactical channel clear for the IC, RIC, and the distressed firefighter.
• Company officers able to affect an immediate rescue should engage and report to the IC (TIER).
• Direct all company officers to utilize the assigned command channel untill the rescue can safely transition to the incident’s assigned secondary tactical channel.
• Extreme caution must be observed when requesting units committed in an IDLH environment switch communication channels
• The IC is responsible for expanding the Incident Command System (ICS) organization to include the firefighter emergency.
• The RIC communicates with the firefighter, and coordinates rescue efforts.
• The incident IAP is updated by the IC.
• The RIC/RIGS must contact the supervisor to identify the firefighter's last known location. In the absence of the supervisor, the next ranking person should be contacted.
• The RIC/RIGS coordinate the rescue and provide the IC with status reports.
  • Companies not performing critical tasks to achieve IAP objectives shall be made immediately available to assist the RIC.
  • All resources must maintain command unity, and maintain communication with their supervisors.
• The RIC is responsible for remaining in working teams (two or more with a supervisor). A “moment of silence” enables allows personnel to listen for PASS device alarms, audible sounds from those injured/trapped, or possible radio/squelch.
  • Such effort can more easily locate trapped/lost firefighters by helping rescuers actively listen.
• The IC requests PAR once rescue information is communicated to the firefighters
• All units must then confirm everyone is accounted for with their supervisor.
  • Reconciling the PAR reports with the "Fire Office Battalion PAR' ensures all personnel assigned to the incident are accounted for.
• When a distressed firefighter is rescued, the IC notifies the LACC and all personnel by transmitting an "all clear".
• Normal radio traffic may then be started again.