Let’s say, that in the course of doing what we do, we are as diligent as possible in preparing and delivering our training. Yet we certainly
can run the fire that flashes over on the crew, the building suffers a partial collapse, God forbid, a brother goes down. We are now faced with a definitive Mayday situation but, have we prepared our personnel for this situation? Do they call a Mayday for a partial collapse? Do they know what a Mayday situation is? Or, are they waiting for someone else to call it?
We all know that you cannot expect compliance out of personnel if there is not standard for them to be held accountable for. Ok, to simplify it: if your members have never been taught what Mayday triggers are, how we can expect they will recognize when to call one?
I think we have all heard, “Oh, I would know when to call a Mayday”. Is that really accurate? Are we willing to take that gamble?
At a minimum, we should train our firefighters that these four situations should be reserved as Mayday triggers:
1. SCBA / Air emergencies and unable to exit quickly (low/out of air, cracked facepiece, malfunctioning air)
2. Trapped by fire.
3. Lost / disorientated.
4. Discovery of a downed FF
Fortunately for us, some have spent the time to develop and share what they expect of their personnel. Here are a few Mayday Trigger lists to review:
1. Mark Lusk, Amarillo Fire, http://www.amarillofire.com/
2. Montgomery County Fire & Rescue, Maryland, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/firerescue/psta/stp/ssff/sectlmayday
So, the question of the day is:
Have you determined and taught what the MAYDAY Triggers are for your department? If so, what are your Mayday triggers?
You never know… the skills you teach today may save a brother’s life at the next fire they go to. Keep sharing what you have learned, that, is all part of being Combat Ready.
Also on TraditionsTraining…
- None Found
Recent Comments