FGS - Chapter 5 Flashcards
After Mayday: Redefine Incident Priorities
- Life safety.
- Limiting growth of the fire.
- Saving property.
- Preserving the environment.
During Mayday: Maintain Suppression Efforts
- Provide survivable space.
- Put out the fire.
- Protect egresses.
- Ventilate.
- Lighting.
Pre-Mayday: Assign RIC Resources
RIC Leader to CP.
RIC Assigned Early to Soften Building: • Keep access and egress routes clear. • Tool and equipment cache. • Ladders. • Light egresses. • Remove bars. • Hose line protection.
After Mayday: Communication
Return incident communications to normal operations
During Mayday: Notify all Resources
Inform units of Mayday and instruct them to continue their assigned tasks until further notice.
Pre-Mayday: ID Geographical References of Structure
Assign divisions:
-Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta
Multiple floors:
-1, 2, 3, etc.
Pre-Mayday: Position Command Post
- “Cold zone”.
- Visualize 2 sides.
- Uphill, upwind.
- Out of the way, nearby.
- Easy to locate.
After Mayday: Direct Post-Incident Review
• Before leaving scene IC assigns investigation team:
– Re-create incident for post-incident analysis.
– Personnel assigned to incident share what they
learned.
• Lessons learned from a Mayday incident can result in
improved department SOGs.
Pre-Mayday: Assure Appropriate Levels of Resources Staged
Assume a Mayday will be called…and be ready with resources.
Pre-Mayday: Medical Resources On Scene
Stage EMS Units:
• Easy access.
• Dedicate unit for fire fighters.
During Mayday: Expand ICS to accommodate Mayday
Assign RIC Group Supervisor:
• Manage rescue.
• Communicate with RIC and fire fighter.
• Allows IC to focus on incident operations.
• If not possible, then IC to focus on Mayday.
During Mayday: Advise all Resources
Maintain current tactical assignments
Switch tactical frequencies if possible
Self-Survival Training
- Fire fighters self rescue.
- Training.
- Know emergency evacuation.
Pre-Mayday: Establish Communication Plan
- Dispatchers are Mayday trained.
* Uninterrupted contact with fire fighter.
Competence
Leaders should calm down, not spin up, during a Mayday. Focus energy, don’t create it. Quiet, steady competence is what people need from leaders during crisis.
During Mayday: Reevaluate the Incident Action Plan
- Building structurally compromised?
- Fire complicating RIC operations?
- Can operation affect a rescue?
- Do fire fighters need rehab?
During Mayday: Expand the Command Support Team
Consider Adding: • Additional Safety officers. • Personnel to monitor radio. • Accountability officer. • Sit-Stat/ Re-stat. • Additional Chief Officers.
Need for Culture Change
• Calling a Mayday often seen as a failure or weakness.
• IC must set expectations
for calling the Mayday.
• Fire fighters must KNOW they have support.
During Mayday: Obtain PAR from each unit in “Hot Zone”
- PAR should not disrupt rescue.
- Performed by company officers and division/group supervisors.
- Face to face if possible.
- Transmitted using roll call.
Pre-Planning
- Lightweight construction.
- Joist hangars, gang nail plates.
- KNOW DANGERS!
After Mayday: Determine need for Investigation Team
- Establish a perimeter.
- Limit unnecessary personnel.
- Possibility of the incident becoming a crime scene.
During Mayday: Obtain Follow-up Reports from RIC
• RIC Situation Report – Conditions – Actions – Needs • Short and concise
During Mayday: Terminate the Mayday
- Conduct PAR after rescue confirmed.
- IC terminates Mayday when all accounted for.
- IC confirms all injured fire fighters treated and/or transported.
During Mayday: Communications
Control communications on radio channel used by fire fighter calling Mayday.
