BASIC Self Survival Drill

The objective of this drill is to review and reinforce firefighters on "Basic" self survival skills.

To conduct this drill, assemble firefighters with their full PPE, SCBA and portable radio. 

Have the participants don their PPE, SCBA and radio as they would for any fire related call.  For the first part of the drill, have firefighters go on air and actually call a mayday.  As the facilitator, listen to the message for quality and content.  Is the firefighters placing the mic in the best possible position to be understood and is he or she communicating sufficient information for RIT activation and situation status? 

Emphasize that they may only have one chance to call for help, and command one chance to receive their call.  Can each firefighter get to their radio if they are on their side, back or stomach?  What about is their arms are pinned closely to their body or hands restricted? 

Next ask the firefighter to manually activate their PASS device and emergency alert on their radio.  Simply reminding firefighters how their PASS will aid in their rescue, yet interfere with their communications is a valuable lesson.  Firefighters wear their SCBA and radio everyday but may rarely use them.  If you assume they can use them effectively you may be surprised by your findings.  As you conduct this drill, make sure firefighters perform each of the necessary tasks with their firefighting gloves and not their rescue gloves on. 

If you want to take the drill to the next level, ask them to make an adjustment to their SCBA or change to another radio channel with their gloves on.  Remember if you allow them to take their gloves off during training...don't be surprised if they take them off during the real deal.

BE SAFE