Fire Ground Survival
Emergency SCBA Operations &
Mayday Procedures
The major causes of firefighter
fatalities inside structure fires are:
• Lost inside the
structure
• Structural collapse
• Fire progress
(including back
draft and flashover)
• Most fatalities 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/Fire
Ground Survival
• SCBA Emergency
Operations
• Firefighter Rescue
NIOSH Recommendations
Mayday Procedure
• 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)
Radio “Mayday”
• Use communications
model to get IC’s
attention
• Radio “Mayday,
Mayday, Mayday,
Command from
Engine 1”
• IC will clear the air
for emergency traffic
for the Mayday
Radio “Mayday”
• Radio your Name, Unit #,
and your PLAN
•
•
•
•
P – Problem
L – Location
A – Air
N – Needs
• “This is Firefighter Jones
from Engine 1. I’m
separated from my crew.
I’m in a closet in the
basement. My air is1500. I
need a crew to lead me
out.”
Mayday Procedures
• IC will activate the
RIT/RIC to location
• IC will also notify
interior crews to
search for the
missing FF or crew
• IC will instruct the
missing FF or crew
to activate PASS,
turn on flashlight,
and make noise
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
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
•
•
•
Mayday
Procedures/Fire
Ground Survival
Emergency SCBA
Operations
Firefighter Rescue
See you there!