1. Dekalb County Fire Rescue Department
Bill Craddock
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. Video of
Downed Firefighter

5. On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities: (1977-2005)
Year Deaths
Year Deaths
Year Deaths
1995……96
1994……104
1993……77
1992……75
1991……109
1990……108
1989……119
1988……136
1987……131
1986……121
1985……126
1984……119
1983……113
1982……125
1981……135
1980……140
1979……126
1978……171
1977……157
2005……115
2004……117
2003……112
2002…...100
2001……441
2000……102
1999……112
1998……91
1997……94
1996……95

6. 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

7. 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

8. Sudden Unexpected Events
Lost/trapped or unaccounted for firefighter
Flashover
Backdraft
Rapid fire increase
Explosion
Collapse
Cardiac Emergency

9. 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 ?

10. Think Again!!!!

11. The life you save may be your own…
The MAYDAY CALL
The life you save may be your own…

12. MAYDAY VIDEO

13. 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

14. 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

15. Reasons Firefighters Don’t Call a Mayday
Pride
Overconfident
Denial
Lack of Communication/ Radio Traffic

16. Reasons To Call A Mayday
FALL
COLLAPSE
TRAPPED / CAUGHT
LOST

17. 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

18. 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
Your partner collapses
Start them early, Cancel them if not needed

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

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

21. 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)

22. 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 company 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.

23. 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.

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

25. Incident Commander Responsibilities
Stay calm
Immediately obtain situation information
L.U.N.A.R.
Identify primary hazards to trapped firefighters
Immediately move fire ground communications to another TAC channel
Immediately call for more equipment
Call a PAR

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

27. STANDARDIZED ACTIONS of a Lost / Disoriented Firefighter
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
Create an exit or opening
Go down steps unless in a basement or sub-floor
Assume defensive posture
Right lateral side
Protect face piece with gloves

28. Self Rescue Techniques
Breach a Wall
Use Bail Out Rope
Ladder Bailout

29. Personal Equipment for Rescue
Door chocks
Medical shears or tin snips
Lifeline
Rescue sling/webbing
Bail Out Rope

30. Outdoor Drills Air Consumption / Conservation Drill
Airpack Emergencies / Familiarization
Rapid Location of a Window, Clearing window and First Floor Bailout
Disentanglement Drill
Wall Breach / Wall Climb
Ladder Bailouts – “hook 2 reach for 4”
Rope Bailouts
Boot Rappel
Body Rappel

31. Be safe and don’t get hurt
Outdoor Drills
WE TRAIN AS WE FIGHT
You need all your PPE
Hustle
Show Support
Be safe and don’t get hurt
HAVE FUN

32. Get out of the Classroom
you
SLACKERS

33. Rapid Intervention Team Day II (RIT / FAST)
Objectives:
Define what is RIT / FAST
Recommendations by NIOSH
Identify your responsibilities when assigned RIT
List equipment necessary for RIT
Discuss the two phases of RIT
What to do in RIT activation?
Discuss ways to communicate during a RIT activation
Discuss techniques to rescue a downed firefighter

34. Definitions R.I.T. Rapid Intervention Team
F.A.S.T. Fire Fighter Assist & Search Team
R.I.C. Rapid Intervention Crew
I.R.I. Immediate Response Team
F.R.A.T. Firefighter Rescue Available Team
R.D.U Rapid Deployment Unit
GO-TEAM

35. Why RIT / FAST
Too many firefighters have died needlessly. Their deaths should make us think. In most cases, something prevented their escape or their deaths were caused by something that could have been avoided.
The concept and tools for accessing and removing a downed firefighter are the same philosophies that we use to remove trapped occupants.
RIT/FAST does not take specialized tools and techniques 99% of the time.

36. NFPA 1500 Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program
NFPA major recommendations:
Teams entering should operate in teams of two or more
ARE TWO(2) ENOUGH???
Team members in hazardous areas shall be in communication with each other through visual, audible or physical means or safety guide rope
Minimum team of four members – two in and two out

37. NIOSH Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters
NIOSH recommendations for firefighters:
Employ “buddy” system whenever firefighters wear SCBA’s
Never allow Firefighters to enter hazardous area alone
Remain in contact
Two firefighters should form a rescue team stationed outside the hazardous area

38. NIOSH Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters
NIOSH recommendations for IC responsibilities:
Initial size-up and risk assessment
Personnel accountability
Establishing a RIT and ensuring they are in a position to respond efficiently

39. OSHA says… At least two properly outfitted firefighters outside:
Must be positioned outside the IDLH atmosphere
Must account for the interior team(s)
Must remain capable of rapid rescue of the interior team(s)
Are two enough ??

40. Equipment for initial RIT/FAST
PPE
SCBA with MASK
Hose line
Flashlight
Portable radio
RIT bag
TIC
Basic Forcible
Entry/Egress
Tools

41. RIT/FAST Support Equipment
Additional SCBA
Hose line
Ladders, Saws, Extra Rope,
Specialized Equipment based on request from initial entry team (resources).
“The initial RIT/FAST team should communicate
any additional resources required to extricate the
downed firefighter to the IC.”

42. RIT Activation It’s time to go to work!
The access points should already be determined.
Obtain a L.U.N.A.R.
Communicate with the downed firefighter.
Listen for a PASS device.
Follow a hose line if the firefighter was part of fire attack.

43. RIT/FAST Communications
Rescue operations remain on original TAC channel and all other operations move to another fire ground TAC channel.
This ensures the downed firefighter, RIT/FAST, and the designated RIT/FAST commander to be operating on same channel.
NO UNNESSESARY RADIO TRAFFIC

44. Access to the firefighter
Obtain a L.U.N.A.R.
Take the shortest and safest route based on info
Use a search rope and a TIC
Firefighter with the TIC feeds the rope
Firefighters in back carry equipment
Firefighter up front stays in contact with firefighter with the TIC. This firefighter does not carry the TIC because he or she may need to move obstacles and clear the path.

45. You’ve reached the firefighter, now what?
Get firefighter to a non hostile/safer area.
Check for breathing
Check SCBA for air level and functionality
Give a L.U.N.A.R. to the IC
Get fresh air to the firefighter if needed
Call for more help
Remove the firefighter

46. Additional RIT/FAST Duties
Assist with accountability
Monitor access to the hazard area
Establish a secondary means of egress
Throw Ladders
Establish emergency lighting
Rope off the hazard area
Control utilities

47. Fire Ground Operations Continue
Remember
Fire Ground Operations Continue
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.
Removal/disentanglement/extrication could take a long time.
REMOVE THE HAZARD

48. Outdoor Drills Searches Packaging Drags and Carries Grid Fan
Mass Area Searches
Packaging
Drags and Carries
(1 and 2 Firefighter)
Ladder, Hooks, other tools
Webbing
Girth Hitch
Handcuff Hitch
Airpack Slings

49. Outdoor Drills cont.. Getting Victim into the window for removal
Lifting techniques
Ladders and Pike Poles as Fulcrums
Denver Drill

50. Bottom Line DO YOUR JOB!!!!!!!!

51. In Memory
William “Bill” Craddock