Ch. 6 - Managing The Mayday

Question 1

How often should you practice managing the mayday?

Answer 1

At least 4 times a year.

Question 2

What three things must a chief or company officer understand in the event of a mayday?

Answer 2

1. What to expect of his crew.
2. What can and can’t be done.
3. What to expect of himself.

Question 3

What is the first and foremost thing an IC can expect of his crews?

Answer 3

Mutiny.

Question 4

What should be done with on scene crews after the completion of a mayday?

Answer 4

They should be done for that incident, but do not send them home.

Question 5

About how long will brand new turnout gear last in a fire?

Answer 5

About 5 minutes at 500 degrees F.

Question 6

The RIT should be comprised of a minimum of how many members?

Answer 6

4.

Question 7

What should be the first response of the IC after the call for a mayday be?

Answer 7

To order additional alarms or mutual aid.

Question 8

When a mayday sounds, why should the IC remove all non-essential crews from the scene?

Answer 8

1. To stave off freelancing.

2. To gather members who can provide RIT support.

Question 9

When a mayday is called, what are the essential crews?

Answer 9

RIT, any hose line crew in the last know location of the endangered firefighters, any backup crew in the same location, ventilation in progress, any search crew that is available and conducting a primary search for viable victims.

Question 10

How many radio channels should be used at a mayday scene, and for what?

Answer 10

Three.

1. Command channel.
2. Channel for the fire.
3. Channel for the RIT.

Question 11

After the rescue of a firefighter, what are the considerations for returning to normal operations?

Answer 11

1. Conduct another PAR.
2. Reestablish a plan of attack for the original fire.
3. Ask for additional crews to be sent to the scene for relief.
4. Reassign crews currently on scene to necessary sectors.
5. As soon as relief arrives, get original crews on scene to a debriefing.