MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY PDF

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY PURPOSE The purpose of this procedure is to assure that all personnel operating at the scene of an emergency can be made aware of a MAYDAY call by a trapped or lost firefighter. Generally these situations are critically time sensitive and an immediate respo...

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY PURPOSE The purpose of this procedure is to assure that all personnel operating at the scene of an emergency can be made aware of a MAYDAY call by a trapped or lost firefighter. Generally these situations are critically time sensitive and an immediate response must be implemented to take advantage of the limited survivable time element facing these firefighters in this time of distress and need. To ensure actions that will be set forth in order to locate and rescue those personnel. SCOPE This procedure shall apply to all personnel operating at the scene of any emergency incident. RESPONSIBLITIES The Incident Commander will be responsible for implementing this procedure according to the guidelines presented in this procedure. Everyone operating at the scene of an emergency is responsible for noticing developing dangerous conditions and be familiar with the actions that need to be taken if personnel become lost or trapped and a MAYDAY is called. Division/Group Officers are responsible for the activities occurring within their assigned division. These activities include company integrity, continuation of attack plan priorities, and/or the implementation of rescue efforts within their division. Company Officers/Team Leaders are responsible for maintaining crew integrity at all times, and immediately reporting to the IC when a crew member becomes lost, trapped or separated. All Firefighters will be responsible for their safety and crew integrity while performing assigned tasks on the emergency incident. GUIDELINES The rescue of a lost or trapped firefighter in a toxic IDLH environment is critically time sensitive due to the limited air supply in a SCBA. The survival of the firefighter is dependant upon a combination of: o Early notification that a firefighter or company is missing or in trouble. o Predictable self-survival actions by the lost or trapped firefighter or company. o Actions by IC and RIT that is standardized, prioritized, and aggressive.  o Each member or company collectively performing their assigned tasks as directed by IC and/or division officers to ensure the overall scene is managed in such a way as to maximize the rescue efforts. These are some basic rules that should be followed to ensure that each emergency scene has minimal chances of a firefighter becoming lost or trapped or calling a MAYDAY. o Firefighters entering the hazard zone must be part of an organized company. o Each organized company/team must have an assigned task and be supervised by a designated company officer/team leader. o At a minimum, the company/team will consist of two members that remain intact while operating in the hazard zone. o Members must monitor hazards within the environment in which they are working. o Company officers/Team Leaders must have accountability of all crew members assigned to them. The term MAYDAY shall be reserved exclusively to report a firefighter in trouble within the hazard zone. Any member on the fire ground may make this transmission if they feel it is warranted. Situations where a MAYDAY message would be mandatory include but are not limited to: o Any personnel on the fire ground who witnessed an event of firefighters in trouble in the hazard zone. o A firefighter or company reporting that they are lost, trapped or in trouble within the hazard zone. o A company officer that cannot account for an assigned firefighter operating within the hazard zone. DECLARING A MAYDAY When an emergency responder identifies that he/she or a member of his/her team, is lost, trapped, disoriented, or injured and in need of assistance, he/she shall (if possible) transmit a verbal message on the fireground operation channel to COMMAND and state: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” The individual reporting shall provide the following information: L: Location U: Unit Number N: Name A: Assignment (per Incident Management System) R: Resources needed The PASS device shall be activated. Lost or trapped firefighters shall remain together. Attempt to find key indicators to aid the RIT in locating the lost or trapped firefighter o Stay close to wall o Tap or strike tool on ground o Shine flashlight up to ceiling to illuminate your location If possible, lost or trapped firefighters shall attempt to see an area of refuge. COMMAND RESPONSE TO A “MAYDAY” Upon receipt of a MAYDAY, the IC shall declare “Emergency Traffic Only” and advise all personnel that all radio traffic must cease. Only radio traffic pertinent to the MAYDAY shall be permitted on the fire ground operations channel. Assure that the fire ground units are directed to another channel. Leave the IC, RIT, MAYDAY firefighter and a designated dispatcher on original frequency. It is critical that IC acknowledges the MAYDAY transmission and immediately implements action for the rescue of the firefighter(s). Request an additional alarm. Provide a BRIEF PROGRESS REPORT to the Commcenter and request an additional radio channel for fireground operations not associated with the MAYDAY event. Include a specific notation if a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) has been deployed. Immediately conduct a Personal Accountability Roll-call (PAR) on the newly assigned radio channel. Determine if firefighter(s) is entrapped or lost, and what resources might be needed if firefighter is able to tell IC. Commit the RIT to the most appropriate location to initiate a rescue. Establish a Rescue Division/Group and assign a Safety Officer. Assign another RIT(s) to standby immediately. IC shall notify the Commcenter to announce the conclusion of the MAYDAY event. COMMCENTER RESPONSE TO MAYDAY Utilize Emergency Alert Tone to alert all personnel operating on scene of the MAYDAY. Immediately assign all operations not pertaining to the MAYDAY to a new radio channel thus clearing the current channel for rescue operations. Immediately request initial/additional EMS unit. Ensure that additional responding units are aware of new operations channel. If firefighter comes up on an unassigned radio channel, IC shall be advised and the Commcenter shall remain with the firefighter on that channel. Dedicate an operator to monitor that channel of the MAYDAY event if possible. Determine if IC wishes to call for the next due alarm. If requested, dispatch next alarm units to the scene with back-ins where applicable.