Mayday SOG

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Permalink Reply by James Roger on March 3, 2010 at 5:41pm

GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 1 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
Objective:
To establish the training, use and operation of a May-Day procedure. This document
reflects the procedures of the Dutchess County Emergency Communications “May-Day”
adopted May 21,1998.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
The following emergency traffic transmissions are to be used with discretion. The
terms, “MAYDAY” and “URGENT” must only be used as is indicated herein. They are
intended for use in situations where immediate communication is necessary to protect life
or prevent injury. Whenever the terms “MAYDAY” or “URGENT” are transmitted all
communications on the frequency are to cease, only those transmissions between the member
initiating the emergency, the Incident Commander or his designee and the Dispatch Center
are allowed. Normal use may be resumed upon completion of the emergency unless the
Incident Commander orders otherwise.
NOTE:(1) Anytime a building or area is evacuated, all groups / divisions shall account
for all members in preparation for a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) by
the Officer in Command. Missing members are to be reported.
(2) “MAYDAY” transmissions have priority over “URGENT” transmissions.
MAYDAY
To minimize misunderstanding, the terminology used below is mandatory. All
members must be completely familiar with the terminology and use it exclusively for its
intended purpose.
Mayday transmissions are an indication that a life-threatening situation has
developed. It may be used only in the following situations:
Structural collapse has occurred.
1. A member who is aware of the condition shall immediately contact the Incident
Commander in the following format: “Team “X” to Command with a MAYDAY”.
2. The Incident Commander will respond in the following format: “Command to Team
“X”, go ahead with your MAYDAY”.
3. The member giving the MAYDAY will respond with “MAYDAY - THEIR
SITUATION” and provide the location and extent of their emergency.
ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT REVISION DATE
OPERATING GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 2 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
4. The Incident Commander will immediately assign specific crews to assist at the
location of the emergency and simultaneously conduct a PAR (Personnel
Accountability Report) and account for all members.
A Firefighter is unconscious or suffers a life threatening injury. Any serious problems
relating to personnel shall also be considered equivalent to the MAYDAY status.
1. Any member aware of the situation will contact the Incident Commander in the
following format: “ Team “X” Command with a MAYDAY”.
2. The Incident Commander will respond in the following format: “Command to Team
“X”, go ahead with your MAYDAY”.
3. The Unit giving the MAYDAY will respond with “MAYDAY - INJURED
MEMBER” and provide the location, crew identity and extent of injuries.
4. The Incident commander will assign specific crews to assist with t h e i n j u r e d
members.
An officer becomes aware that a member under his supervision is missing. (If the
missing member is an officer, any Team member can transmit this message.)
1. The officer will contact the Incident Commander in the following format: “Team “X”
Command with a MAYDAY”.
2. The Incident Commander will respond in the following format: “Command to Team
“X”, go ahead with your MAYDAY”.
3. The officer responds in the following format: “MAYDAY, MISSING Member” and
provides the missing members assignment, last known location, and whether member
had a portable radio.
4. The Incident Commander will assign specific crews to conduct a search for the
missing member and simultaneously contact each crew and units on the scene to help
locate the missing member.
Member becomes lost or trapped.
1. Any member, who becomes lost or trapped , contacts the Incident Commander in
ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT REVISION DATE
OPERATING GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 3 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
the following format: “Team “X” Command with a MAYDAY”.
2. The Incident Commander responds in the following format: “Command to Team
“X”, go ahead with your MAYDAY”
3. The member giving MAYDAY responds: “Team “X”, MAYDAY-MEMBER
TRAPPED (or MEMBER-LOST)”, and provides the number of members involved,
location if known, last recognizable reference point if location is unknown (ex:
basement near oil burner), and any imminent conditions that might affect trapped
members (fire nearby, out of air, etc.).
4. The Incident Commander will immediately assign specific crews to locate and
rescue members involved.
NOTE:
THE TERM “URGENT” SHALL NOT BE USED FOR ANY OF ABOVE SITUATIONS.
ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS ARE SUFFICIENTLY SERIOUS TO WARRANT
“MAYDAY” TRANSMISSIONS.
“May-Day”
This procedure identifies communications priorities in the event of a report of a
lost or trapped Firefighter. A well-defined communications structure is essential for any
rescue operation. Dispatch and Deployment plays an important role in ensuring an
effective rescue of firefighters.
“May-Day” Radio Message
The radio message “May-Day” will be used by firefighters to report their status as
being in trouble and needing assistance. Any member may use “May-Day” to report a lost
Firefighter. Any report of “May-Day” will receive priority radio traffic followed by the
emergency traffic tone issued by Commands portable or Squad 1's rear mobile. The
emergency traffic tone will then be broadcast on ALL channels being used on the fireground,
and personnel will be advised that we have a missing or trapped Firefighter. The term
“May-Day” will be reserved ONLY to report life-threatening emergencies. The term
“Urgent” will be used to report all other emergencies.
ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT REVISION DATE
OPERATING GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 4 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
Personnel who transmit a Mayday signal should, if at all possible, include the
following information:
A) TYPE OF EMERGENCY
B) LOCATION- THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM TO BE
TRANSMITTED-floor, room, location by direction, side of building (side A,B,C,
D.)
C) SPECIAL TOOLS OR EQUIPMENT NEEDED;
D) HOSE LINE REQUIREMENTS;
E) OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
Incident Commanders who have transmitted a Mayday resulting from a negative
response on a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) must take careful and calculated
deductions as to the probable location of the missing Firefighter(s).
Upon receipt of a Mayday signal, ALL fireground activities underway shall continue.
Members shall not exit the fire building unless specifically told to do so by the Incident
Commander. ONGOING FIRE SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES SHOULD CONTINUE,
UNTIL DIRECTED OTHERWISE.
AFTER A MAYDAY SIGNAL IS DECLARED, THE IC SHALL REQUEST ANY
NEEDED RESOURCES
During the time period of a Mayday, it is imperative that all Fire Department
members put forth their full effort towards bringing a safe ending to the incident. This will
only be accomplished through calm, collective efforts by all personnel. Personnel must be
prepared to respond to any command necessary to fulfill this mission.
It is compulsory that radio communication at any fireground operation, especially
with a Mayday situation, BE KEPT TO AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM ALLOWING ONLY
ESSENTIAL TRANSMISSIONS. As stated previously, ALL fire personnel shall pay close
attention to radio transmissions.
Multiple channels should be utilized at a May-day situation. The Incident
ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT REVISION DATE
OPERATING GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 5 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
Commander may request the Dispatch Center to change the fireground channel to another
frequency after a Mayday has been declared. This will allow for a dedicated channel for the
endangered personnel. Once the fireground channel has been changed and announced by the
Fire Dispatcher, The dispatcher shall send the alert tone and announce the new fireground
channel. ALL fireground personnel shall switch to the newly designated fireground channel
as indicated by the dispatcher. The Incident Commander shall assign personnel as aides to
monitor this channel.
All Command Officers shall use the fireground channel. The Incident
Commander shall assign personnel to monitor the command frequency. If a Chief Officer
wishes to use the command frequency, that Chief shall switch to the command frequency talk
around to communicate with the Incident Commander, and return to the fireground channel
after finishing the transmission.
URGENT
The URGENT transmission is used to indicate that a member has suffered a serious
injury that is not immediately life threatening, or to inform members of a serious change in
conditions. It shall be used as indicated in the following:
When a member suffers an injury that is not immediately life threatening but which
requires medical attention and hospital care.
1. A member aware of the injury contacts the Incident Commander in the following
format: “ Team “X” Command, URGENT ”
2. The Incident Commander responds in the following format: “Command to”Team
“X”, go ahead with your URGENT”
3. The member responds: “Team “X”, URGENT-INJURED MEMBER” and provides
the location, unit and the nature and extent of injuries.
4. The Incident Commander will assign specific units to assist injured members.
An interior attack is to be discontinued and an exterior attack instituted.
1. The Incident Commander transmits the following message: “URGENT - ALL UNITS
- URGENT, BACK OUT, BACK OUT”. On transmission of the message, all crews
withdraw from the building.
ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT REVISION DATE
OPERATING GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 6 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
2. Following the transmission of this message, the Incident Commander immediately
contacts each crew individually by radio to confirm receipt of this message.
3. The Incident Commander will then conduct a PAR (Personnel Accountability
Report) of all units and account for all members.
Discovery of a structural problem indicating the danger of collapse.
(Imminent collapse feared)
1. A member discovering the problem contacts the Incident Commander in the
following format, “Team “X” to Command, URGENT.”
2. The Incident Commander responds in the following format: “ Command to Team
“X”, go ahead with your URGENT”.
3. The member responds in the following format “Team “X”, URGENT - COLLAPSE
FEARED” and provides location and conditions discovered.
4. The Incident Commander determines the actions required.
Fire is discovered entering an exposure to a degree that any delay may considerably
enlarge the fire problem.
1. A member discovering the extension transmits to the Incident Commander in the
following format: “Team “X” to Command, URGENT”.
2. The Incident Commander responds in the following format: “Command to Team “X”
go ahead with your URGENT.”
3. The member responds in the following format: “Team “X” URGENT - FIRE
EXTENDING” and provides the location and nature of extension.
4. The Incident Commander assigns specific units to deal with the extension.
Loss of water which would endanger members.
1. A member aware of the situation transmits to the Incident Commander in the
ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT REVISION DATE
OPERATING GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 7 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
following format. “ 3211 to Command, URGENT.”
2. The Incident Commander responds in the following format: “Command to 3211,
go ahead with your URGENT.”
3. The member responds in the following format: “ 3211 URGENT - WATER LOSS”
and states the problem and identity of the units with lines effected.
4. The Incident Commander contacts, by radio, all crews effected by the water loss, to
ensure they are aware of the problem. If necessary the Incident Commander will back
crews out of the exposed area and then conduct a PAR to account for all members.
DEFINITIONS OF RADIO CHANNELS
FIREGROUND CHANNEL- Channel to be utilized by ALL fireground personnel.
Channel 48 is the standard automatic fireground for all AFD firematic incidents. .
MAYDAY CHANNEL- once declared by the Incident Commander, this channel is to be
used only by the endangered personnel. This channel shall be monitored by an aide
appointed by the Incident Commander.
COMMAND CHANNEL- For IC only. This channel shall be monitored by an aide
appointed by the Incident Commander. Command Channel 3 is to be used between
Command and the Dispatch Center. Channel 4 shall be used between the IC and
Commanding Officers on the scene.
It is important to remember that all incidents are unique. Thus the primary tactics will
have to be adapted to the existing conditions. Manpower at an incident involving a Mayday
will normally be taxed to the utmost. It shall be of primary importance that ALL personnel
promptly obey the commands given by Officers.
Fireground personnel shall be prepared to respond to complex and exacting
directives. Fire conditions may be such that the Incident Commander may order the use of
multiple hand lines and fire streams may be placed into operation in various configurations,
including but not limited too, exterior, tandem, and/or opposing attack profiles.
It is imperative to remember that not all possibilities can be specified. Therefore, the
tactics used must be conducive to maintaining survivable conditions for the trapped or
missing members.
ARLINGTON FIRE DISTRICT REVISION DATE
OPERATING GUIDELINES November 13,
2001
SUB DOCUMENT RESCUE
MAY DAY PAGE 8 OF 8
AFD # 24-D
In order to ensure that these signals are received by the Incident Commander, the
following guidelines shall be adhered to:
A. The member who initiates the “Mayday” or “Urgent” transmission must, if possible,
repeat the signal until it is acknowledged either by the Incident Commander, an
officer or Dispatch.
B. Any officer hearing a “Mayday” or “Urgent” signal and realizing that it is not being
acknowledged by the Incident Commander, must initiate the following:
1.Acknowledge the signal and ascertain the nature.
2.Promptly relay all information to the Incident Commander.
C. The “ MAYDAY” procedure is to be used in conjunction with other Operating
Guidelines
Associated Operating Guidelines
Below is a list of associated Operating Guidelines that are used directly within this
document:
Rescue Procedures
Rescue-Firefighter Survival
Rescue-Command Responsibilityi
Radio procedures
RIT/FAST


Michael This is our operating guidelines for mayday ops. it hasn't been updated for a while but this should get you started. If you need anything ells let me know Jim

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Permalink Reply by Michael Cooper on March 3, 2010 at 5:45pm

Great thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Frozenhosehead on March 3, 2010 at 7:02pm

There are a few things that need to be changed on my career dept. SOP from my viewpoint since we are currently manning our truck full time instead of cross manning it like before. Also would like to see us incorporate LUNAR and immediately activating your pass and radio emergency buttons as soon as a mayday is called instead of waiting or not having verbal comm. Our is 4 parts and only one section covers mayday. If you see anything we can change or add to ours to make it better please let me know and I'll pass it up the chain.

TCSS

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