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Dekalb County Fire Rescue Department

Dekalb County Fire Rescue Department. Bill Craddock Firefighter Safety and Survival. Objectives. Discuss reasons for firefighter fatalities Identify Causes of Firefighter injuries and Deaths Define Mayday Discuss the parameters of a Mayday

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Dekalb County Fire Rescue Department

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  1. Dekalb CountyFire Rescue Department Bill Craddock Firefighter Safety and Survival

  2. Objectives • Discuss reasons for firefighter fatalities • Identify Causes of Firefighter injuries and Deaths • Define Mayday • Discuss the parameters of a Mayday • Discuss the IC responsibilities when a Mayday is call • Identify what to do when you call a Mayday • Discuss and practice Self Rescue Techniques

  3. Firefighter Down

  4. Video of Downed Firefighter

  5. 1995……96 1994……104 1993……77 1992……75 1991……109 1990……108 1989……119 1988……136 1987……131 1986……121 1985……126 1984……119 1983……113 1982……125 1981……135 1980……140 1979……126 1978……171 1977……157 On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities:(1977-2005) YearDeaths YearDeaths YearDeaths 2005……115 2004……117 2003……112 2002…...100 2001……441 2000……102 1999……112 1998……91 1997……94 1996……95

  6. Reasons for Firefighter Deaths and Injuries • Ineffective size-up • Improper strategic and tactical decisions • Absence of an effective emergency rescue plan • Lack of training • Poor judgment

  7. Other Identified Causes of Injuries and Deaths • Failure to recognize rapidly deteriorating conditions • Inexperienced Officers • Failure to use safety equipment • Loss of water supply • Freelancing

  8. Sudden Unexpected Events • Lost/trapped or unaccounted for firefighter • Flashover • Backdraft • Rapid fire increase • Explosion • Collapse • Cardiac Emergency

  9. Can’t Happen Right? • You've carefully thought out all the angles. • You've done it a thousand times. • This is a routine fire. • It comes naturally to you. • You are confident. • You know what you're doing, its what you've been trained to do. • Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?

  10. Think Again!!!!

  11. The MAYDAY CALL The life you save may be your own…

  12. MAYDAY VIDEO

  13. What is a Mayday • It is used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications. • It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency by many groups, such as pilots (marine and air), police and fire personnel, and transportation organizations

  14. What is a Mayday (cont.) • The call is always given three times in a row. • Mayday, Mayday, Mayday !!! • This prevents mistaking it for some similar-sounding phrase under noisy conditions. • It means HELP ME

  15. Reasons Firefighters Don’t Call a Mayday • Pride • Overconfident • Denial • Lack of Communication/ Radio Traffic

  16. Reasons To Call A Mayday • FALL • COLLAPSE • TRAPPED / CAUGHT • LOST

  17. Defining the parameters of a “Mayday” The “if” – “then” approach; call a Mayday if: • You fall through the roof • You fall through the floor • You become tangled, stuck or pinned and can not free yourself quickly • You are caught in a flashover • You become lost or disorientated and you can not find the exit door or window quickly

  18. Defining the parameters of a “Mayday” • Your primary exit is blocked by fire or collapse and you are not at the secondary exit in 30 seconds • Your partner collapses Start them early, Cancel them if not needed

  19. Case Scenario • An examination of three Seattle near-misses uncovered some disturbing similarities • None of the firefighters in distress called a Mayday • None of their partners called a Mayday • Nobody activated their emergency button • None of the crew leaders activated their pass

  20. Case Scenario cont.. • Seattle findings cont’d • None of their partners activated their pass • Each firefighter became separated from his partner • Each firefighter ran out of air • Each firefighter suffered debilitating effects from carbon monoxide

  21. What information should I give the IC when I find myself in a Mayday situation? LUNAR • L – Location • U – Unit • N – Name • A –Air (you and partner) • R – Resources (What do I need to help me)

  22. What to do if you find yourself in trouble… • Do not panic. Stop and think about what is occurring, your location in the building and how you got there. This may help you find your way out. • Keep your company together. Discuss your problem and share information. • Admit that you are lost and call for help with the radio and verbally to those that may be near.

  23. What to do if you find yourself in trouble… • Follow a hose line or lifeline. • After you send the Mayday communication, activate your PASS device in a manner that will not interfere with the rescue. • Conserve your air supply. (Air Conservation Drill) • Shine your light and position your PASS to be most effective. • Make noises with a tool.

  24. What to do if you find yourself in trouble… • Search for an opening. • Create an opening. • Wall Climb • Most residential structures have exterior walls that are easy to breach.

  25. Incident Commander Responsibilities • Stay calm • Immediately obtain situation information • L.U.N.A.R. • Identify primary hazards to trapped firefighters • Immediately move fire ground communications to another TAC channel • Immediately call for more equipment • Call a PAR

  26. STANDARDIZED ACTIONSof aLost / Disoriented Firefighter • Control your P.A.S.S. device • Initiate a the “Mayday!” call • L-Location • U-Unit • N-Name • A-Air (you and partner) • R-Resources (needs) • Monitor radio / Update Command • Use flashlight to signal • Use tools or debris to alert rescuers • Stay calm, conserve your air supply • Stay with your partner or crew

  27. STANDARDIZED ACTIONSof aLost / Disoriented Firefighter • Attempt to locate an exit – Seek area of refuge • Move towards visible light • Listen for audible sounds • Search walls for windows, doors, etc. • Search for hose line (Read couplings) • Attempt to locate a life line • Create an exit or opening • Go down steps unless in a basement or sub-floor • Assume defensive posture • Right lateral side • Protect face piece with gloves

  28. Self Rescue Techniques Breach a Wall Use Bail Out Rope Ladder Bailout

  29. Personal Equipment for Rescue • Door chocks • Medical shears or tin snips • Lifeline • Rescue sling/webbing • Bail Out Rope

  30. Outdoor Drills • Air Consumption / Conservation Drill • Airpack Emergencies / Familiarization • Rapid Location of a Window, Clearing window and First Floor Bailout • Disentanglement Drill • Wall Breach / Wall Climb • Ladder Bailouts – “hook 2 reach for 4” • Rope Bailouts • Boot Rappel • Body Rappel

  31. Outdoor Drills WE TRAIN AS WE FIGHT You need all your PPE Hustle Show Support Be safe and don’t get hurt HAVE FUN

  32. Get out of the Classroom you SLACKERS

  33. Rapid Intervention TeamDay II(RIT / FAST) • Objectives: • Define what is RIT / FAST • Recommendations by NIOSH • Identify your responsibilities when assigned RIT • List equipment necessary for RIT • Discuss the two phases of RIT • What to do in RIT activation? • Discuss ways to communicate during a RIT activation • Discuss techniques to rescue a downed firefighter

  34. Definitions • R.I.T. Rapid Intervention Team • F.A.S.T. Fire Fighter Assist & Search Team • R.I.C. Rapid Intervention Crew • I.R.I. Immediate Response Team • F.R.A.T. Firefighter Rescue Available Team • R.D.U. Rapid Deployment Unit • GO-TEAM

  35. Too many firefighters have died needlessly. Their deaths should make us think. In most cases, something prevented their escape or their deaths were caused by something that could have been avoided. The concept and tools for accessing and removing a downed firefighter are the same philosophies that we use to remove trapped occupants. RIT/FAST does not take specialized tools and techniques 99% of the time. Why RIT / FAST

  36. NFPA 1500 Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program • NFPA major recommendations: • Teams entering should operate in teams of two or more • ARE TWO(2) ENOUGH??? • Team members in hazardous areas shall be in communication with each other through visual, audible or physical means or safety guide rope • Minimum team of four members – two in and two out

  37. NIOSH Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters • NIOSH recommendations for firefighters: • Employ “buddy” system whenever firefighters wear SCBA’s • Never allow Firefighters to enter hazardous area alone • Remain in contact • Two firefighters should form a rescue team stationed outside the hazardous area

  38. NIOSH Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters • NIOSH recommendations for IC responsibilities: • Initial size-up and risk assessment • Personnel accountability • Establishing a RIT and ensuring they are in a position to respond efficiently

  39. OSHA says… • At least two properly outfitted firefighters outside: • Must be positioned outside the IDLH atmosphere • Must account for the interior team(s) • Must remain capable of rapid rescue of the interior team(s) Are two enough ??

  40. Equipment for initial RIT/FAST • PPE • SCBA with MASK • Hose line • Flashlight • Portable radio • RIT bag • TIC • Basic Forcible Entry/Egress Tools

  41. RIT/FAST Support Equipment • Additional SCBA • Hose line • Ladders, Saws, Extra Rope, • Specialized Equipment based on request from initial entry team (resources). “The initial RIT/FAST team should communicate any additional resources required to extricate the downed firefighter to the IC.”

  42. RIT Activation • It’s time to go to work! • The access points should already be determined. • Obtain a L.U.N.A.R. • Communicate with the downed firefighter. • Listen for a PASS device. • Follow a hose line if the firefighter was part of fire attack.

  43. RIT/FAST Communications • Rescue operations remain on original TAC channel and all other operations move to another fire ground TAC channel. • This ensures the downed firefighter, RIT/FAST, and the designated RIT/FAST commander to be operating on same channel. NO UNNESSESARY RADIO TRAFFIC

  44. Access to the firefighter • Obtain a L.U.N.A.R. • Take the shortest and safest route based on info • Use a search rope and a TIC • Firefighter with the TIC feeds the rope • Firefighters in back carry equipment • Firefighter up front stays in contact with firefighter with the TIC. This firefighter does not carry the TIC because he or she may need to move obstacles and clear the path.

  45. You’ve reached the firefighter, now what? • Get firefighter to a non hostile/safer area. • Check for breathing • Check SCBA for air level and functionality • Give a L.U.N.A.R. to the IC • Get fresh air to the firefighter if needed • Call for more help • Remove the firefighter

  46. Additional RIT/FAST Duties • Assist with accountability • Monitor access to the hazard area • Establish a secondary means of egress • Throw Ladders • Establish emergency lighting • Rope off the hazard area • Control utilities

  47. Remember Fire Ground Operations Continue • When someone is trapped and the fire is put out 98% of the problem is removed. • NOW the trapped victim (Firefighter, or civilian) needs only air to survive. • Removal/disentanglement/extrication could take a long time. REMOVE THE HAZARD

  48. Outdoor Drills • Searches • Grid • Fan • Mass Area Searches • Packaging • Drags and Carries (1 and 2 Firefighter) • Ladder, Hooks, other tools • Webbing • Girth Hitch • Handcuff Hitch • Airpack Slings

  49. Outdoor Drills cont.. • Getting Victim into the window for removal • Lifting techniques • Ladders and Pike Poles as Fulcrums • Denver Drill

  50. Bottom LineDO YOUR JOB!!!!!!!!

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