Rapid Intervention Teams/Calling the MAYDAY

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

210.04 Mayday

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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.