Firefighter Safety and Survival: Understanding Mayday Calls and Self-Rescue Techniques

1. Wellington CountyFire Departments 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. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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?

8. Think Again!!!!

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

10. Mayday Video of a simulated Mayday “Firefighter Mayday Training”

11. 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

12. 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

13. Mayday Recordings Toronto Firefighter Mayday 4 / 25 / 10

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

15. Reasons To Call A Mayday • FALL • COLLAPSE • TRAPPED / CAUGHT • LOST • LOW ON AIR

16. 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

17. 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 • You are low on air and cannot exit immediately • Your partner collapses Start them early, Cancel them if not needed

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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)

21. 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 crew 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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 (discuss this point-may not be practical) • Immediately call for more equipment • Call a PAR

25. 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

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