Transcript Firefighter Safety and Survival

Wellington County
Fire Departments
Firefighter Safety and Survival
1
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
2
Firefighter Down
3
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
4
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
5
Sudden Unexpected Events
Lost/trapped or
unaccounted for
firefighter
Flashover
Backdraft
Rapid fire increase
Explosion
Collapse
Cardiac Emergency
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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 ?
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Think Again!!!!
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The life you save may be your
own…
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Mayday
Video of a simulated Mayday
“Firefighter Mayday Training”
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What is a Mayday
It is used internationally
as a distress signal in
voice procedure radio
communications.
It is used to signal a lifethreatening emergency
by many groups, such as
pilots (marine and air),
police and fire personnel,
and transportation
organizations
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What is a Mayday (cont.)
The call is always given three times in a
row.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday !!!
This prevents mistaking it for some similarsounding phrase under noisy conditions.
It means HELP ME
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Mayday Recordings
Toronto Firefighter Mayday 4 / 25 / 10
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Reasons Firefighters Don’t Call a
Mayday
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pride
Overconfident
Denial
Lack of Communication/
Radio Traffic
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Reasons To Call A Mayday





FALL
COLLAPSE
TRAPPED / CAUGHT
LOST
LOW ON AIR
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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STANDARDIZED ACTIONS
of a
Lost / Disoriented Firefighter
1. Control your P.A.S.S. device
2. Initiate a the “Mayday!” call
 L-Location
 U-Unit
 N-Name
 A-Air (you and partner)
 R-Resources (needs)
3. Monitor radio / Update Command
4. Use flashlight to signal
5. Use tools or debris to alert rescuers
6. Stay calm, conserve your air supply
7. Stay with your partner or crew
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STANDARDIZED ACTIONS
of a
Lost / 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
9. Create an exit or opening
10. Go down steps unless in a basement or subfloor
11. Assume defensive posture
 Right lateral side
 Protect face piece with gloves
8.
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