“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”

1. “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” Managing the Fireground Mayday: The critical link to firefighter survival. Battalion Chief Daryl Smith Sandy Springs Fire Department June 13, 2008

2. INTRODUCTION Over the past several years, the fire service has placed a new emphasis on firefighter rescue, an emphasis never before considered to be necessary. Prior to the inception of NFPA 15OO (Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program) and programs such as “Get Out Alive” and Saving Our Own”, few if any firefighters could ever fathom the possibility of needing to rescue one of our own.

3. Definition • Mayday as defined by Webster's Dictionary: an international radio-telephone signal word used as a distress call. • The mere phrase “Mayday” has forever changed the careers and lives of many dedicated fire service professionals.

4. Firefighter Distress Signal • Initiation or transmission of a firefighter distress signal produces more stress and potential chaos than any other single type of incident we may encounter throughout our careers. As firefighters, fire officers and trainers, we must develop a standard plan of action that allow us to properly manage and overcome these chaotic and stressful events.

5. Preparing & Planning for a “MAYDAY” call • The lack of pre-fire planning has claimed the lives of many fire service professionals in the recent past. • Fire service managers today must use pre-fire planning to serve as a safety net when managing the fireground. • Proper risk management coupled with a structured firefighter survival program enables today’s firefighters to understand the associated risks they are to encounter.

6. Pre-fire planning / Pre-fire Analysis • Case studies have shown that the success or failure of any “Mayday” incident is a direct result of effective IM and pre-fire planning. • The best preparatory effort given to the fireground commander is the pre-plan or the pre-fire analysis.

7. Five Pre-fire Indicators that can lead to a potential “Mayday” incident and/or compromise fireground operations: • Weight - excessive weight in the overhead should be of immediate concern to the IC when deciding to deploy additional firefighters during a rescue effort. This may include: HVAC units, large billboards, storage tanks, etc. • Fuel Loads - Excessive fuel loads (flammable or combustible) are an indication of potential rapid-fire spread which may lead to firefighters being trapped or overcome during initial firefighting. • Building History – Previous fires, structural collapses, renovations (known & unknown) to the IC may lead to the entrapment of firefighters.

8. Pre-fire Indicators (con’t) • Deterioration– A factor to the fireground continues to be vacant buildings or buildings in ill repair. As firefighters we’re taught early on that all buildings are occupied until proven otherwise. Pre-fire planning should enable the IC which buildings require absolute defensive operations to support firefighter safety and survival. • Support Systems / Truss Construction – Examples of firefighter fatalities have been shared with the fire service for years. Bowstring and light weight truss construction must be of utmost importance to the IC.

9. Truss Collapse • Being under a burning truss , is like playing Russian Roulette with a loaded revolver. (Most notable bowstring truss collapse is the Hackensack, NJ fire which killed several firefighters). • As fireground commanders begin to consider deploying RIT teams for rescue efforts, careful consideration must be given to the potential of truss collapse, which could further complicate if not compound the rescue efforts. (This should also be considered before deploying interior attack teams).

10. On-Scene Indicators and how they can potentially lead to a “Mayday” incident: • Prolonged burn time - continued or heavy fire throughout the structure. • Smoke showing through walls - extensive structural damage, gas accumulations. • Inadequate ventilation - flammable gas accumulations, potential for rapid fire development.

11. On-Scene Indicators (con’t) • Two or more floors involved in fire – multi point structural compromise. • Sagging floors, bulging walls, interior collapse – major damage to structural integrity. • Water between bricks, excessive water in building – excessive downward force. • Unprotected steel – direct flame impingement or structural components, collapse pending.

12. Firefighter Survival Training • Firefighters who have been properly trained in self-survival skills can greatly enhance the possibility of a successful RIT team rescue. Standardized, predictable actions of a trapped, lost or disoriented firefighter will enable rescuers to locate and remove the firefighter in a more timely and effective manner.

13. Actions to take if you become trapped or disoriented: • Initiate an emergency “Mayday” / Activate Emergency Distress Button. • Stay “calm” and preserve your air supply. • Activate P.A.S.S.

14. Actions to take if you become trapped or disoriented (con’t): • Provide a situation / problem report. • If trapped or disoriented as a crew, it’s imperative to “stay together”. • Search for an exit – look for light. • Attempt to follow a hose line or life line to safety.

15. Actions to take if you become trapped or disoriented (con’t): • Retreat to an area of safety. • Assume a horizontal position (if possible) to enhance the audible signal of your P.A.S.S. and enhance thermal protection. • Use your flashlight as a beacon device and attempt to making tapping noises using tools or other objects.

16. Fireground Preparations: Proactive fireground preparations for survival cannot be over stated! • Proactive ladders - provide secondary means of egress and serves as an immediate access point for RIT members • Scene lighting at entry point or all 4 sides if possible – provides enhanced firefighter accountability and directional orientation for lost or disoriented firefighters. • Back-up / Safety lines – provides an additional line of support in case of rapid-fire development.

17. Standardization / Predictability • Standardization creates predictability, and predictability enables fireground commanders to manage and forecast the needs of the fireground. • SOP’s / SOG’s – well established SOP’s / SOG’s create operational effectiveness for fire departments across the country. The safe and effective management of a Mayday incident is dependent upon a structured, predictable fireground based on firm rules of engagement.

18. Standardization / Predictability (con’t) • Incident Management System – Strong, early presence of a fireground commander is paramount to effective fireground management. Any fire ground that lacks an early command presence is destined for disaster. • Standardized Communications – this continues to be an ongoing problem in the fire service. “It is imperative that on-scene operations be given fire ground tactical radio channels that are separate from the normal dispatch frequencies”.

19. Discipline / Enforcement • Strict discipline and strong enforcement enable fireground commanders to adequately account for and assign the necessary crews to complete the task without the fear of freelancing or contradictory actions. • RIT – In the event of a Mayday incident, physical and mental limitations will be taxed to the limit, rescuers must be forced to follow rules of personal safety at all times. Teams that fail to follow the directions of the IC and their respective RIT Officer will most likely become victims themselves.

20. Discipline / Enforcement (con’t): • Suppression Personnel – Personnel assigned to fire attack / suppression operations must overcome the desire to get involved. Previously assigned fire attack/suppression crews must maintain their position in order to limit the threat of flame impingement on the trapped or disoriented firefigter(s). • A trapped or disoriented firefighter has two factors working against them: 1) limited air supply and 2) flame impingement barring the fact that direct physical trauma is not involved.

21. LODD - Recent Case Histories • Funeral services will be Monday afternoon for the firefighter who died in a house fire early Friday morning. Visitation will be today, Sunday from 2-9 p.m. at Bayside Baptist Church and Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral at 1 p.m. for 24-year-old Shane Daughetee. This is in the Chattanooga area. • Firefighter Daughetee was leading a search for a family member when he fell into the basement area. Other firefighters tried to rescue him, and one actually had a hold of his airpack, but was not able to hold on. A ladder was lowered to him, but firefighters had to retreat when the roof started to collapse. No one realized that the family had already gotten out safely. • The 5,000-square-foot, $500,000 house was a total loss....the cause was accidental (electrical). According to the homeowners, they awoke to a popping sound and found the basement full of smoke and fire. They evacuated the home with their daughter and called 9-1-1.

22. Case Histories (con’t) • Regretfully, we have been advised that 1 of the firefighters injured at the working house fire in Washington City, Washington County, PA this morning, has died. Initial reports are that there was a roof collapse and members were trapped. The on-scene RIT team was immediately deployed and trapped members were extricated, but unfortunately the 1 firefighter from Washington City FD succumbed. Other members at that fire were injured as well. • The firefighter who was killed was in his early 20's.

23. ATLANTA FIRE BUREAU LODD • This is the actual fireground communication from the last Atlanta Fire Bureau LODD. • Pay close attention when the IC asks for a PAR and the response the unit gives back. • Accountability is a “MUST” on any scene.

24. Tragic Training Memories: • Firefighters in Boulder (CO) and around the nation are remembering one of its worst days when two of their own died during a training exercise. On January 26, 1982, Fire Engineer Bill Duran and FF Scott Smith died when the fire flashed and ran through the abandoned garage where the live fire training was held.

25. Tragic Training Memories (con’t) • The flashover also forced surviving FF Dan Cutler through a wall...ending up with burns over 60 %. Hearings were held to figure out what caused the deaths and found there were still combustible ceiling tiles in the building. There were also no water supply established, no back-up engine companies for the training and firefighters did not do a walk thru to find the exits....amongst other problems. This tragic LODD was "the final straw" for the creation of NFPA 1403, “Standard for Live Fire Training”.

26. Critical Factors to Consider • Fireground Command- as the IC during a “Mayday” incident in which a firefighter(s) is lost, trapped or disoriented within a structure, your composure, self-control and self-discipline are sure to be tested. The IC must immediately begin to build a support staff for immediate and post-incident needs.

27. Critical Factors (con’t) • Activation of the Rescue Action Plan – The IC must understand that regardless of his/her experience, training level and personal confidence, the initial plan may not always be the best plan; reevaluation and willingness to compromise is the key to success (this should be done throughout the entire incident).

28. Critical Factors (con’t) • Personnel Safety – as rescue efforts begin, adrenalin often times overruns our ability to think clearly which may inevitably lead to rescuer injuries which further complicates the rescue operation. “Be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem”. • Communication – The IC must maintain constant communication with RIT team(s) throughout the incident.

29. Critical Factors (con’t) • Progress Reporting – Good, clear, concise and regular progress reports are a absolute necessity. • Emergency evacuation signal – RIT teams typically operate under conditions that are or will potentially become too hazardous to safely operate in. As an additional measure of safety all personnel should be made aware of and/or reminded of the emergency evacuation signal/procedures prior to making entry.

30. Critical Factors (con’t) • Restricted entry – Following the initial PAR report, the IC should immediately restrict entry to only those members of the RIT team. • Crew continuity – this is an absolute necessity throughout the incident for proper accountability during firefighter rescue operations. “STAY TOGETHER”

31. Call for PAR Calling for an immediate PAR is three-fold; • enables the IC to quickly and effectively identify the number of personnel involved. • identifies the general area of the structure involved. • potentially identifies the extent of the rescue effort.

32. PAR (con’t) PAR’s should be first requested from the personnel in the area of most danger. This cannot be overstated, it enables the IC to prioritize the fireground.

33. Deployment of the RIT • RIT should be deployed only after a quick briefing of known facts from the IC. • By adequately identifying the last known location, number of personnel involved and the possible cause of deployment of RIT, personnel can properly prepare themselves for assignment and ensure proper equipment is deployed.

34. 3 Things the IC should consider when deploying RIT personnel • Initial RIT (Reconnaissance Team) • Locate the downed, trapped member(s) • Establish a tractable means of access to the victim(s) • Determine additional needs (air, water, fans, extrication, thermal imaging cameras, etc.) • Suggested team size: 2 firefighters, 1 officer

35. Deploying RIT personnel (con’t) • Secondary RIT (Stabilization/Removal Team) • Provide equipment and personnel as requested by the Recon Team • Begin extrication process, clear debris for rapid egress • Suggested team size: 2-4 firefighters

36. Deploying RIT personnel (con’t) • Third and subsequent RIT (Support Team(s) • Provide external support as requested by initial teams • Provide personnel to relieve initial teams As a general rule, the IC should try to stay one alarm ahead of the incident demands. Mutual aid in small departments should be requested early to ensure relief and support personnel are available as necessary.

37. Termination of Rescue Efforts Although no firefighter, fire officer or IC ever wants to terminate a rescue effort, firefighter safety “must” remain the top priority. As unfortunate as it may be, the IC must terminate the rescue efforts when conditions begin to jeopardize the safety of those involved. No decision, order or assignment ever given by an IC during their career will ever bare equal weight. It’s decisions of this nature that will ultimately decide the number of members lost or injured.

38. Summarizing a “MAYDAY” Incident • PAR – upon immediate distress signal, call for a PAR of on-scene units. • Initiate RIT Operations – utilizing a technique that is expedious. • Hazard Assessment – Upon locating downed firefighter(s), RIT personnel must quickly perform a hazard assessment to ensure their own safety.

39. Summary (con’t) • Identify victim needs – air supply, fire impingement, extrication needs, etc. • Initiate victim removal (if possible) – an initial progress report of findings and/or actions should be relayed to the IC. • Provide medical care – upon removal from the hazard area, on-scene EMS personnel should provide immediate care / transport.

40. Summary (con’t) • PAR – once victim(s) have been extracted from hazard area, another PAR should be given by all on-scene companies. • Post-incident analysis / debriefing – following all RIT deployments a formal post-incident analysis should be conducted to review, revise and update existing procedures. Request (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) CISD team if needed.

41. Conclusion After you (the IC) have assessed the situation and have a known rescue operation keep this in mind: • Assume the worst and prepare for the worst. By doing this you will enable yourself to overcome anything less than the worst with positive results. Preparing for anything less will put you in a reactionary or catch-up mode during a high stress, high emotional incident in which the lives of fellow firefighters lie in the balance. • Are there any questions?