1 Wellington County Fire Departments Firefighter Safety and Survival

2 Objectives Discuss reasons for firefighter fatalities Identify Causes of Firefighter injuries and Deaths Define Mayday Discuss the parameters of a Mayday Discuss the IC responsibilities when a Mayday is call Identify what to do when you call a Mayday Discuss and practice Self Rescue Techniques

3 Firefighter Down

4 Reasons for Firefighter Deaths and Injuries Ineffective size-up Improper strategic and tactical decisions Absence of an effective emergency rescue plan Lack of training Poor judgment

5 Other Identified Causes of Injuries and Deaths Failure to recognize rapidly deteriorating conditions Inexperienced Officers Failure to use safety equipment Loss of water supply Freelancing

6 Sudden Unexpected Events Lost/trapped or unaccounted for firefighter FlashoverBackdraft Rapid fire increase ExplosionCollapse Cardiac Emergency

7 Can’t Happen Right? You've carefully thought out all the angles. You've done it a thousand times. This is a routine fire. It comes naturally to you. You are confident. You know what you're doing, its what you've been trained to do. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right ?

8 Think Again!!!!

9 The life you save may be your own…

Mayday Video of a simulated Mayday Video of a simulated Mayday “Firefighter Mayday Training” “Firefighter Mayday Training” 10

11 What is a Mayday It is used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications. It is used to signal a life- threatening emergency by many groups, such as pilots (marine and air), police and fire personnel, and transportation organizations

12 What is a Mayday (cont.) The call is always given three times in a row. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday !!! This prevents mistaking it for some similar- sounding phrase under noisy conditions. It means HELP ME

Mayday Recordings Toronto Firefighter Mayday 4 / 25 / 10 Toronto Firefighter Mayday 4 / 25 / 10 13

14 Reasons Firefighters Don’t Call a Mayday 1.Pride 2.Overconfident 3.Denial 4.Lack of Communication/ Radio Traffic

15 Reasons To Call A Mayday  FALL  COLLAPSE  TRAPPED / CAUGHT  LOST  LOW ON AIR

16 Defining the parameters of a “Mayday” The “if” – “then” approach; call a Mayday if: You fall through the roof You fall through the floor You become tangled, stuck or pinned and can not free yourself quickly You are caught in a flashover You become lost or disorientated and you can not find the exit door or window quickly

17 Defining the parameters of a “Mayday” Your primary exit is blocked by fire or collapse and you are not at the secondary exit in 30 seconds You are low on air and cannot exit immediately Your partner collapses Start them early, Cancel them if not needed

18 Case Scenario An examination of three Seattle near-misses uncovered some disturbing similarities None of the firefighters in distress called a Mayday None of the firefighters in distress called a Mayday None of their partners called a Mayday None of their partners called a Mayday Nobody activated their emergency button Nobody activated their emergency button None of the crew leaders activated their pass None of the crew leaders activated their pass

19 Case Scenario cont.. Seattle findings cont’d None of their partners activated their pass None of their partners activated their pass Each firefighter became separated from his partner Each firefighter became separated from his partner Each firefighter ran out of air Each firefighter ran out of air Each firefighter suffered debilitating effects from carbon monoxide Each firefighter suffered debilitating effects from carbon monoxide

20 What information should I give the IC when I find myself in a Mayday situation? LUNAR L – Location U – Unit N – Name A –Air (you and partner) R – Resources (What do I need to help me)

21 What to do if you find yourself in trouble… Do not panic. Stop and think about what is occurring, your location in the building and how you got there. This may help you find your way out. Keep your crew together. Discuss your problem and share information. Admit that you are lost and call for help with the radio and verbally to those that may be near.

22 What to do if you find yourself in trouble… Follow a hose line or lifeline. After you send the Mayday communication, activate your PASS device in a manner that will not interfere with the rescue. Conserve your air supply. (Air Conservation Drill) Shine your light and position your PASS to be most effective. Make noises with a tool.

23 What to do if you find yourself in trouble… Search for an opening. Create an opening. Wall Climb Most residential structures have structures have exterior walls that exterior walls that are easy to breach. are easy to breach.

24 Incident Commander Responsibilities Stay calm Immediately obtain situation information L.U.N.A.R. L.U.N.A.R. Identify primary hazards to trapped firefighters Identify primary hazards to trapped firefighters Immediately move fire ground communications to another TAC channel (discuss this point-may not be practical) Immediately call for more equipment Call a PAR

25 Remember Fire Ground Operations Continue Fire Ground Operations Continue When someone is trapped and the fire is put out 98% of the problem is removed. When someone is trapped and the fire is put out 98% of the problem is removed. NOW the trapped victim (Firefighter, or civilian) needs only air to survive. NOW the trapped victim (Firefighter, or civilian) needs only air to survive. Removal/disentanglement/extrication could take a long time. Removal/disentanglement/extrication could take a long time. REMOVE THE HAZARD

26 STANDARDIZED ACTIONS of a Lost / Disoriented Firefighter 1.Control your P.A.S.S. device 2.Initiate a the “Mayday!” call  L-Location  U-Unit  N-Name  A-Air (you and partner)  R-Resources (needs) 3.Monitor radio / Update Command 4.Use flashlight to signal 5.Use tools or debris to alert rescuers 6.Stay calm, conserve your air supply 7.Stay with your partner or crew 1.Control your P.A.S.S. device 2.Initiate a the “Mayday!” call  L-Location  U-Unit  N-Name  A-Air (you and partner)  R-Resources (needs) 3.Monitor radio / Update Command 4.Use flashlight to signal 5.Use tools or debris to alert rescuers 6.Stay calm, conserve your air supply 7.Stay with your partner or crew

27 STANDARDIZED ACTIONS of a Lost / Disoriented Firefighter 8.Attempt to locate an exit – Seek area of refuge  Move towards visible light  Listen for audible sounds  Search walls for windows, doors, etc.  Search for hose line (Read couplings)  Attempt to locate a life line 9.Create an exit or opening 10.Go down steps unless in a basement or sub- floor 11.Assume defensive posture  Right lateral side  Protect face piece with gloves 8.Attempt to locate an exit – Seek area of refuge  Move towards visible light  Listen for audible sounds  Search walls for windows, doors, etc.  Search for hose line (Read couplings)  Attempt to locate a life line 9.Create an exit or opening 10.Go down steps unless in a basement or sub- floor 11.Assume defensive posture  Right lateral side  Protect face piece with gloves