Fire Ground Survival Emergency SCBA Operations & Mayday Procedures January 2011

The major causes of firefighter fatalities inside structure fires are: • Lost inside the structure • Structural collapse • Fire progress (including back draft and flashover) • Most are due to running out of air (smoke inhalation)

Are we prepared if we are lost, trapped, or separated from our crew?

Practical Drills • Mayday Procedures • SCBA Emergency Operations • Firefighter Rescue

Mayday Procedures

• Radio “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Command from Engine 1” • Radio your Name, Location, Conditions, Air, and Needs • “This is Firefighter Jones from Engine 1. I’m in the basement and can’t find my way out. I’m separated from my crew. I have 1300 pounds of air remaining. I need help finding the stairway out.”

EMER Button

• Only use the EMER Button if you cannot verbally report a Mayday • EMER activation will be treated as a Mayday • Takes the user to an EMER talk group • Comm. Center notifies IC and attempts to contact the user

NIOSH Recommendations

• Transmit a distress signal • Activate PASS device • Conserve air • Stay calm and avoid unnecessary physical activity • Determine potential escape routes • Stay in radio contact • Flashlight toward the ceiling • Make tapping noises with a tool on the floor or wall

“GRAB LIVES” Procedure

• G – Gauge (check air) • R – Radio (mayday) • A – Activate (pass) • B – Breathing (control) • L – Low (stay low) • I – Illuminate (flashlight) • V – Volume (make noise) • E – Exit (find an exit) • S – Shield Airway (hood or glove)

5 Reasons to Call a Firefighter Emergency/MAYDAY 1. Separated from Crew or “Lost” 2. SCBA Malfunction or Low Air 3. Injured or Disabled 4. Trapped, Pinned, or Entangled in Debris 5. Any life threatening condition that cannot be resolved in 30 seconds

Rule of Air Management (ROAM) • Know how much air you have in your SCBA • Manage your air so that you leave the hazardous environment BEFORE your low air alarm activates • Report “Team Air” with your CANA radio reports

Practical Skills

• Residential Structure 2818 S. 154 th Street • • • Evolutions Mayday Procedures Emergency SCBA Operations Firefighter Rescue See you there!