ROCKY HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT

STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURE

 

May Day Protocol

 

 

Purpose:           To ensure proper and efficient deployment and actions of all personnel operating on a MAYDAY

 

Scope:              To provide a life saving rescue effort for all department personnel signaling a distress call.

 

Definition:         MAYDAY-A plain language radio transmission indicating that a firefighter or crew of firefighters is in immediate or life threatening distress.

 

                        When To Call A MAYDAY

·        Disorientation

·        You become separated from you crew

·        Falls or Collapses

·        Entanglement or Entrapment

·        Other instances where you need immediate assistance.

 

Personnel Calling the MAYDAY

·        Clear radio channel by announcing  ‘MAYDAY’ 3 times.

·        Activate portable radio emergency call button

·        After MAYDAY acknowledgment from IC next message will information based on the acronym LUNAR:

1.      Location

2.      Unit designation

3.      Number of members in group

4.      Air supply [approx]

5.      Resources needed to handle environment and rescue

·        Activate Pass Device

·        Turn on Flashlight

·        If possible, locate a window, doorway, or exterior wall.

·        Assume, if necessary a horizontal position to minimize exposure

 

Responsibilities:  Other Operating Units

·        Stay off operating or MAYDAY frequency

·        Remain with assignment or company officers unless otherwise directed

·        Company Officer—Take an immediate PAR and report same when requested.

 

Responsibilities: Incident Commander

·        Immediately acknowledge MAYDAY and have all companies transfer to ‘fireground’ [only units involved in RIT/Rescue shall use the MAYDAY freq.]

·        Assign an operations officer to conduct ‘fireground’ frequency operations

·        Conduct an immediate PAR.

·        Immediately brief and deploy RIT and other rescue units.

·        Establish a new safety officer and additional RIT

·        Request Task Force

·        Request additional EMS

·        Establish a PIO

 

NOTE:  When a MAYDAY is declared all units must continue to operate at their assigned task unless otherwise directed.  Fire suppression activities are vital to the safety of the individuals in distress.

 

 

Date: 01-01-07

Proponent: RHFD Staff

Replaces: New