MAYDAY Operations (Hard)

Mayday Operations

• A MAYDAY is declared when a firefighter cannot safely exit a hazard zone.
• MAYDAYs should be transmitted as a verbal message on the operation channel.
• Include a CAN Report (Who, What, Where, Needs), and other relevant information.
• The firefighter experiencing a MAYDAY should remain together and self-rescue if possible, seeking an area of refuge if self-rescue is not possible.
• Incident commanders should acknowledge the MAYDAY CAN report and deploy units to assess and address the MAYDAY.
• Fire control efforts should continue during a MAYDAY situation
• Non-suppression crews in proximity to the MAYDAY should assist with the rescue.
• Operations and MAYDAY communications should remain on the same frequency, and all non-essential radio traffic should cease.
• Crews on deck should not self-deploy but should be deployed by the incident commander.
• Firefighter extraction from IDLH environments should be expedited, when possible.

Procedures and Responsibilities

• A MAYDAY should be declared as soon as affected crew anticipate or know they cannot safely exit an IDLH hazard zone.
• Upon initiating a MAYDAY, the firefighter should transmit "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" on the operation channel and do not unclick the microphone.
• Provide a CAN report with the following information:
  • Who: Identify yourself
  • What: State the reason for the MAYDAY
  • Where: Indicate your location
  • Needs: Outline your critical needs to resolve the situation
• Activating the PASS device and conserving air is critical during a MAYDAY.
• The Incident Commander is responsible for:
  • Acknowledging the MAYDAY transmission
  • Identifying the crew involved
  • Obtaining a MAYDAY CAN report
  • Contacting North Comm for Emergency Traffic and formally announcing the MAYDAY
  • Requesting the next greater alarm
  • Developing an IAP and deploying resources to address the MAYDAY using the Help Order.
• The Help Order is the order of actions the IC will take to assist a firefighter experiencing a MAYDAY:
  • Communicate with the MAYDAY firefighter to facilitate self-rescue.
  • Use the MAYDAY firefighter’s company to assist with the rescue.
  • Use other crews in the hazard zone near the MAYDAY firefighter to assist with the rescue.
  • Utilize On-Deck crews to assist with the rescue.
• The IC should assign a chief officer to manage the MAYDAY at the tactical level.
• Incident Command and the Division Supervisor(s) should coordinate fire control activities while managing the MAYDAY.
• Crews continuing with fire control efforts should maintain fire suppression efforts during a MAYDAY incident.
• Operations and MAYDAY communications should remain on the tactical radio channel.
• All non-essential radio traffic should cease with only the following being transmitted:
  • MAYDAY Traffic
  • Priority Traffic
  • Status Changes
  • Staging Announcements
• On-deck crews will be deployed by the IC or Division Supervisors and will:
  • Not self-deploy into the Hot Zone.
  • Be given a clearly defined task.
  • Be deployed to a known location.
  • Be given realistic objectives.
• If a firefighter can be quickly extricated from an IDLH environment, avoid spending additional time on air transfer or excessive packaging.
• Non-suppression crews should be prepared to assist with rescue efforts.
• Extra time and resources may be required to remove firefighters from the hazard zone.
• Be prepared to:
  • Locate the firefighter(s).
  • Air trans filling.
  • Packaging.
  • Extrication of the firefighter(s) from the hazard zone.

This quiz covers the essential procedures for managing MAYDAY operations in fire service. Learn about the significance of the CAN Report, communication protocols, and responsibilities during a critical incident. Understand how to ensure safety and effective rescue for firefighters in distress.