Mayday Operations

Mayday Operations

• A MAYDAY is declared when a firefighter cannot safely exit a hazardous area.
• Firefighters should remain together and attempt self-rescue when possible.
• If self-rescue is impossible, they should seek refuge.
• Incident Commanders must acknowledge MAYDAY reports and deploy units for rescue.
• Fire control efforts should continue during a MAYDAY situation.
• Non-suppression crews in close proximity to the MAYDAY should assist with the rescue.
• Operations and MAYDAY communications should remain on the same frequency.
• Non-essential radio traffic should cease.
• Crews on deck should be deployed by the Incident Commander with a plan and clear objectives.
• Firefighter extrication from Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments should be expedited, with limited packaging time.
• North Comm will issue an additional alarm upon hearing a MAYDAY.

Declaring a MAYDAY

• Transmission should state "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" on the operation channel to Command.
• A CAN Report is provided to identify who, what, where, and the critical needs.
• Conserve air and activate the PASS device.
• Lost or trapped firefighters should remain together and attempt to resolve the problem and exit the structure.
• If resolution is not possible, they should seek an area of refuge.

Incident Commander Responsibilities

• Acknowledge the MAYDAY, identify the company or firefighter(s) involved, and obtain a MAYDAY CAN Report.

• Contact North Comm for Emergency Traffic, announce the MAYDAY on the tactical channel, and request the next greater alarm.

• The Incident Commander will deploy resources to resolve the MAYDAY using the Help Order:

  • Communicate with the MAYDAY firefighter to encourage self-rescue.
  • Use the MAYDAY firefighter’s company to assist with the rescue.
  • Utilize other crews in the hazard zone near the MAYDAY firefighter to assist.
  • Utilize On-Deck crews to assist with the rescue.

• Assign a chief officer to the division with the MAYDAY as the Division Supervisor to manage the event at the tactical level.

• Confirm that the Division Supervisor received the MAYDAY transmission.

• The Incident Command and the Division Supervisor(s) will coordinate and manage the event.

Fire Operations During a MAYDAY

• Continue with fire suppression efforts in the MAYDAY area.
• Operations and MAYDAY communications should remain on the tactical radio channel.
• Non-essential radio traffic should cease.
• On-deck crews will be deployed by the IC or Division Supervisors.
• On-deck crews will not self-deploy into the Hot Zone.
• On-deck crews will be deployed with a clearly defined task, known deployment location, and realistic objectives.
• If a firefighter can be quickly extricated from an IDLH situation, avoid additional time on air transfer or excessive packaging.
• Non-suppression crews in proximity to the MAYDAY should be prepared to assist with rescue efforts as part of the Help Order.
• Situations may require extra time and resources: locate the firefighter(s), air trans filling, packaging, and extrication.

This quiz focuses on the procedures and protocols for declaring a MAYDAY in firefighting scenarios. You will learn about the roles of firefighters, Incident Commanders, and the essential steps to follow during a Mayday situation. Test your knowledge on how to manage communications and rescue efforts effectively.