This policy is to ensure proper recourses are deployed for a firefighter distress call (MAYDAY).

Emergency Procedures

All SCBA-Qualified Firefighters must be aware of the MAYDAY policy and when to call for it.

Missing or trapped firefighter:

A member absent from any team operation should automatically be presumed missing or trapped in the hazardous area until otherwise determined to be safe. Personnel shall immediately report any absent member to the IC. The IC shall immediately request a Personnel Accountability report (PAR) of all personnel operating at the incident to locate the missing or trapped personnel and to verify that other personnel are not missing.

Any firefighter missing, lost, disoriented, in immediate danger, in need to immediate assistance for any reason, out of air, fell through roof or floor or trapped shall take the following actions to alert others of the need for immediate assistance:

• Missing or trapped firefighters shall use the radio to clear the radio channel for their emergency message.
• The Term MAYDAY shall be used to alert others of this dangerous situation. MAYDAY shall only be used when personnel believe they are in danger and need to be rescued from potential life-threatening situations.
• Personnel giving the MAYDAY shall identify their team; provide their location, Fire or hazard conditions and the entry point used.
• PASS device shall be turned from the AUTO to the ON position to provide rescuer with an audible signal for locating missing or trapped personnel.

When notified of missing or trapped firefighters the IC and other personnel on the scene shall focus their efforts in an attempt to protect and rescue those missing or trapped. The following actions shall take place:

1. A minimum of one additional engine shall be requested to the scene, to reinforce the efforts of those already performing rescue, in addition to the personnel needs due to serious potential for fire or hazard extension.
2. Radio messages shall be restricted to emergency traffic only. With this in mind, those involved in the rescue operation should be assigned the tactical channel used by those needing rescue. Other operations shall be assigned different channels.
3. A Rapid Intervention Team/FAST team shall immediately be assigned to the rescue operation. A hose line or lines shall be provided for this effort.
4. Hand lines and master streams (fog 30-60 degrees) shall be directed toward the position of the missing or trapped firefighter in an effort to protect them from the effects of the fire or hazard as appropriate. The operations officer shall coordinate the action.

In the event of a situation where personnel not at the incident hear a MAYDAY transmission and realize that those on the incident scene have not heard it, it shall be the responsibility of personnel who heard such a message to immediately alert the IC and/or communications that a MAYDAY has been transmitted and provide any essential information.

At the conclusion of an incident involving missing or trapped firefighters the IC shall notify all units operating at the scene to return to normal operations and elimination of emergency radio restrictions.

Dispatch

1. IC will notify dispatch of the situation.
2. Fast team will be put into action and all available information will be relayed to the team leader.
3. Dispatch will sound an emergency tone to clear the frequency for emergency radio traffic.
4. Dispatch will alert the next company on the alarm assignment or standby company to move up, one engine to the scene to assist in fire fighter rescue.
5. Additional Paramedic ambulances will be dispatched to the scene for firefighter transport.
6. The IC will keep dispatch informed as to the situation and may request additional resources as need.