Fire Ground Survival Emergency SCBA Operations

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Fire Ground SurvivalEmergency SCBA Operations
Mayday Procedures
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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)

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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

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NIOSH RecommendationsMayday 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

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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)

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Radio Mayday

• Use communications model to get ICs attention
• Radio Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Command from
  Engine 1
• IC will clear the air for emergency traffic for
  the Mayday

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Radio Mayday

• Radio your Name, Unit , and your PLAN
• P Problem
• L Location
• A Air
• N Needs
• This is Firefighter Jones from Engine 1. Im
  separated from my crew. Im in a closet in the
  basement. My air is1500. I need a crew to lead me
  out.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Practical Skills

• Mayday Procedures/Fire Ground Survival
• Emergency SCBA Operations
• Firefighter Rescue
• See you there!