June 2010

Fire Fighter Survival

Topic 4: The FF Emergency

June 2010

Terminal Learning Objective

●Preventing the emergency

●Recognizing a FF emergency situation

●Procedures for calling "Mayday"

●Dealing with the FF emergency

June 2010

Enabling Learning Objectives●The term "Mayday" and its

meaning on the fireground●Ways to prevent a FF

emergency incident●Situations that create or

may create a FF emergency situation

●Proper procedures for calling "Mayday"

June 2010

Consider inserting a video showing an example of communications

such asGerman Coast Guard Trainee

June 2010

Mayday Defined●From the French term "m’aider" or

help me●Adopted as the universal distress call

in 1927●International radio language,

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" = Life is in danger.

Send help immediately.

June 2010

FIRESCOPE/ICS 910NFPA 1500 & 1561 Standards●Terms that can be used by a fire fighter in

distress on the tactical frequency○"Mayday," "Help," "Responder down"

●Term that should be used by the IC○"Emergency traffic"○Used to gain control of the frequency

●Clear text used to identify the emergency

June 2010

Consider inserting a video showing an example of calling

"Mayday" on the fireground such as Houston Fire Captain Abbt

June 2010

Early Recognition●Recognize the need for help early

○Allows for more expedient assistance●Factors delaying early response

○Pride ○Denial○Loss of situational awareness○Fear of retribution – firehouse ridicule ○Lack of procedural knowledge

●The emergency can always be cancelled

June 2010

Recognizing the Emergency

●Some situations can be mitigated prior to calling "Mayday"

●Call your crew for assistance○Collapsed roof or floor ○Entanglement in wires or cables○Separation from hoseline, crew, interior walls○Low air activation and an unknown exit point○Rapid fire progression

June 2010

Calling "Mayday"Factors that limit communications

●Air remaining in the SCBA●Rate of fire spread●Degree of entrapment●Severity of injuries to the fire fighter●Radio traffic

June 2010

Early Recognition●Trapped fire fighter stays on same

tactical frequency●All other traffic moves to a secondary

tactical frequency●Use clear text●Limit traffic to trapped fire fighter and

operations (if possible) on original frequency

June 2010

Transmit

L Location (Where Are You?)

U Unit (Apparatus Assigned?)

N Name (Who Are You?)

A Assignment/Air (What Were You Doing?)

R Resources (What Do You Need?)

June 2010

Transmit

N Name

U Unit/Assignment/Location

C Conditions

A Actions

N Needs

June 2010

Personal ProceduresAfter the call has been transmitted●Communicate your surroundings●Activate pass device

○ Assure device is off when transmitting on radio ●Monitor and control your air●Look for exits●Stay clam●Stay low●Never give up – help is on the way

June 2010

Consider inserting a video of a successful rescue

following a FF emergency

June 2010

When in doubt, call it out!