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SIMPLE MATH

I have never been very good at math, but even a cartoonist can solve this equation: ((EGO + PRIDE) x BRAVADO) - MAYDAY TRAINING = TROUBLE!!!

Don't get me wrong, I am all for aggressive tactics and training to keep yourself out of trouble. Understanding building construction, fire behavior, the laws of gravity upon a structure being assaulted by fire, proper air management... I get it! However the simple truth is, no matter how many years you have on the job or how educated you may be, bad crap happens!!! Then what? Too many times our ego and pride prevent us from calling for help early enough for help to arrive - whether it be from fear of ridicule, the sense of failure, or simply a case of ego. There's no excuse for not calling a MayDay if you, or your team, are in trouble! Period!

Here are a few links to articles regarding MayDays. There are many other articles on Fire Engineering's website - just do a search for MayDay. If you know of others, please share.

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/03/the-mayday.html

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-153/issue-8/de...

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/09/destefano-mayday.html

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/08/drill-activated-pas...

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/08/troubleshoot-scba.html

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-156/issue-8/de...

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-162/issue-2/fe...

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/06/preventing-mayday.html

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-163/issue-6/de...

To see more of my work or to purchase a print of this cartoon, visit: www.artstudioseven.com

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Comment by Paul Hasenmeier on October 16, 2011 at 6:52pm: Well done Paul! Here's a link to the video by Columbus Fire after Lt Polaski went down in a bread and butter basement fire. It's an incredible educational piece. Polaski Video

Comment by Michael M. Dugan on October 11, 2011 at 7:13pm: Paul,

Right on target as usual. Any Officer or Chief who has not scheduled a "Mayday Drill" or who allows someone to be abused for calling a Mayday should be made to sit and listen to people whose company or department went through a LODD. Do they wish a Mayday had been called or called sooner?
Thanks for being proactive. Mike Dugan

Comment by Mike France on October 7, 2011 at 11:23am: Common Sense

Comment by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on October 6, 2011 at 7:58pm: And it might help if EVERYONE inside has a radio.

Unfortunately, there are still fire departments out there who don't do it.

Excellent depiction...again.

Comment by Ron Ayotte on October 6, 2011 at 7:50pm: Excellent as usual... On the fireground...if you think that you are in trouble. you probably are!

Comment by John K. Murphy on October 6, 2011 at 6:16pm: Too much math for me.

I was a simple student: common sense + self preservation + training = survival to fight another day

Great illustration - thank you

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