Mayday

Your responsibility as the “Mayday Firefighter”

·         When in doubt, Call “Mayday”!!

·         Call “Mayday” sooner than later!!

·         Announce “Mayday” x3

·         The absolute worst results of calling an unnecessary “Mayday”:

1.      You error on YOUR Safety

2.      We have practiced for a real event

·         Continue calling “Mayday” until you are positive it was acknowledged.

·         At a minimum announce: Unit, Location, and Problem

The following is to help you remember Mayday information.

1.      Acronym “LIPS”

ü  Location-advice command of your location.

ü  Identification-Give your Company and Name. (Capt. Doe Engine 100)

ü  Problem- low on air, lost, trapped, entangled.

ü  Survival-start self-rescue and survival skills. (Turn on PASS)

2.      Acronym “MUSL” (muscle)-

ü  M-MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY

ü  U-Unit ID

ü  S-Structure Side (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie or Delta) DO NOT USE singular letters

ü  L-Location (bathroom, second floor bedroom, utility closet)

·         Stay on initial Radio Frequency [B1]

·         The IC will stay on this frequency with you (everyone else will move up one channel [B2])

Your responsibility if you hear a “Mayday” given

·         Move up one channel [B2]

·         Emergency Traffic only until completion of Roll Call

·         Prepare for Roll Call by confirming crew integrity/accountability

·         Continue performing your task or assigned duty. (Despite your urges to assist the “Mayday” firefighter, don’t. Remain focused on your task. Fire/event stabilization will be more beneficial to the “Mayday” firefighter than an unorganized, “blind” search)

·         RIT group will have a charged 1 ¾ line with them. Do not grab this line out of convenience or to use “just for a second”. If you need or instructed to get another line, get it from the attack engine. Only take the RIT’s charged line in case of emergency or if it’s immediate use will be a “game changer”.

·         If given the order to Evacuate the structure, Evacuate! (Don’t become part of the problem)

Your responsibility if you are assigned as the RIT engine

·         If assigned a different engine due to positioning, make sure you can pump it. If not, notify IC.

·         Get/confirm your or assigned engine has established a water supply

·         Maintain a charged 1 ¾ line for RIT (If this line is needed/taken for the fire, charge another line. All fires will have a minimum of 2 charged 1 ¾ lines on the ground)

·         Until all engine companies are trained in the new RIT procedures, a RIT group leader and RIT Safety Officer will be selected from the Squad and Ladder companies. As the RIT engine, you will be under their direction. In the event RIT is deployed, a Chief Officer will assume the role of the RIT group leader.

·         Be prepared to assist RIT Squad/Ladder as needed, i.e. getting tools and equipment, laddering the structure, removing burglar bars/plywood, maintaining RIT group accountability, being the house team for the RIT entry, etc… Do what is asked!

·         If RIT is activated, and you are assigned to RIT, move up two channels [B3]

·         Please remember that you are assigned to the RIT group. Only as directed by the IC or other Chief Officer are you to get involved with any fire suppression activities. As hard as it will be to “just” stand-by, keeping RIT group integrity is a must.