Difference between revisions of "Rapid Intervention Teams/Calling the MAYDAY"

Revision as of 07:03, 22 March 2016

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

210.04 Mayday

PURPOSE:

To establish a method for the reporting and rescue of a lost, downed, trapped or missing firefighter(s) on the emergency incident scene.

DEFINITIONS:

• Emergency Alarm- Activated by pressing the recessed orange button on top of a portable radio that is turned on, or for mobile radios in running vehicles, press the EMER button. No sound is noted or light activated, and the display remains the same on the activated radio. An emergency message is received in the Communications Center. Turn off the radio to deactivate the alarm.
• Emergency Traffic – term used by Command to alert all personnel of an emergency and/or fire ground hazard. When this announcement is made radio silence is initiated.
• Mayday – term reserved only to report missing, trapped or firefighters in distress. It is verbalized three consecutive times, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
• Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) – A roll call, by unit, of all personnel assigned to the incident, conducted by the IC or designee, and completed visually or by radio.
• Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) – Team of three or more firefighters assigned to provide rescue for firefighters in emergency situations.
• Tactical Airwave Channel (TAC) – Radio channel designated for communications purposes.

RESPONSIBILITY:

• The term Mayday will be reserved only to report a lost, downed, trapped, or missing firefighter(s), and is declared by the immediate report (via radio) to command of the Mayday situation.
• All Mayday notifications will be done by stating the term Mayday three times in rapid succession, i.e.; “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”, and should include the company designation or person reporting the Mayday, the best known location of the firefighter(s) in trouble, the amount of air left if self-initiated, and the nature of the emergency. Any member may declare a Mayday event. Speed is of the essence when a firefighter is endangered. Notification should occur as soon as a firefighter identifies that they or their team member is in trouble.
• A Mayday event shall be declared for the following events:
  1. Firefighter(s) trapped, disoriented, injured, running out of air, or otherwise unable to safely exit an IDLH atmosphere. (May or may not be self-initiated)
  2. Firefighter(s) lost in an IDLH atmosphere or wildfire (Self-initiated).
  3. Firefighter(s) cannot be accounted for during a PAR after three attempts (Initiated by IC)
  4. The loss of communications, both directly and by radio with firefighter(s) or units operating in an IDLH atmosphere, after three attempts have failed to establish contact (Initiated by IC).
• Actions of the lost or entrapped firefighter (if able to communicate).
  • Initiate the emergency feature of the radio.
  • Declare via radio Mayday, Mayday, Mayday followed by LUNARS:
    • L: Location (end of 1 ¾” handline, kitchen area, etc.)
    • U: Unit Number
    • N: Name
    • A: Assignment
    • R: Reason for Emergency (lost, low on air, failed equipment, collapse/trapped)
    • S: Status of SCBA Air (amount of air remaining)
  • Activate PASS device intermittently (10-20 seconds) allowing for radio communications.
  • Stay calm and conserve air. Attempt to locate exterior doors or windows.
  • Lost or trapped firefighters shall remain together.
  • If trapped, attempt to free yourself or team member.
  • If possible, follow hose line or lifeline out of hazard area.
  • Position flashlight towards the ceiling and attempt to make tapping noises with tools.
  • Assume a horizontal position on the floor to maximize the sound effects of the PASS device.
  • Communicate your location and surroundings to assist in rescue efforts.

Command Responsibilities:

When a Mayday has been declared: The Incident Commander shall initiate the following actions immediately following the declaration of the Mayday Event:

• Declare Emergency Radio Traffic, and all firefighters shall immediately adhere to Radio Silence while the IC attempts to contact the member(s) involved in the Mayday.
• If personnel are missing, announce their radio ID, rank, name and last known location over the radio for all crews to hear.
• Activate the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) to locate and remove the missing or endangered firefighter(s).
• Establish a back-up RIT for the activated RIT and a replacement fire ground RIT.
• Request an additional alarm assignment. Call for any additional resources as needed (i.e. Squad, Technical Rescue, etc.) Ensure the presence of a ready rescue for the potential victim(s).
• Determine which operations should be continued, altered or stopped to best support the rescue and commit all required resources necessary to quickly locate and remove the missing or endangered firefighter(s).
• Those not assigned to the RIT operations should continue with their assigned mission. There will be no freelancing or crews engaging in any rescue efforts with the approval of command. It is imperative that all personnel operating on the emergency scene remain calm and shall follow the directions of their supervisors and command, continue with their assigned duties, and listen carefully to radio transmissions.
• Command shall determine whether or not fireground operations should be reassigned to another radio Tac. (If this is a short rescue operation, the OIC may decide to leave all fireground units on the same Tac as the RIT). (The firefighter declaring a May Day shall not be asked to change Tacs)
• Command must insure that firefighting efforts continue. Efforts should be made to keep the fire away from the rescue area and provide appropriate ventilation and lighting.
  

Crews will immediately complete a PAR of their own company to ensure they do not have the missing member(s) and report to Command immediately if they know the location of the missing member(s).

Company Officers and crews shall maintain their current positions and/or assignments (unless otherwise directed by the Incident Commander)

The IC shall announce when units shall return to normal operations. The Incident Commander shall transmit “May Day all clear- resume normal radio traffic”. Dispatch shall initiate the emergency tone and repeat.

CISM – consider the emotional impact of this type of operation.