1. Fire/EMS Safety Stand Down
Mayday  Self Rescue and the Rapid Intervention 

2. 1. Unearthing the FACTS about Maydays through Research
2. Mayday Self Rescue keeps them coming back
3. When You Absolutely, Positively Had To Call Mayday, What if RIT was too late?

3. Partners

4. Mayday and the RIT Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements:
Chief Don Abbott (Retired)
Secret List
NVFC
NFPA
IAFF
FSRI
Dr. Burton A. Clark EFO
Acknowledgements:
SHS
IAFC
ISFSI
First Arriving
IFSTA
Florida Firefighters
OSHA
USFA

5. Mayday and the RIT Objectives:
The Member will understand when firefighters call Mayday and will know tactical options
The Company Officer will understand when firefighters call Mayday and know response options
The Command Officer will understand when firefighters call Mayday and know strategic options

6. Mayday and the RIT Introduction: Training for a First Alarm Event
Does Your department have established common terminology?
Response plans
Do you know the statistics?
Did you know 67% of Maydays occur when command is mobile?
“Project Mayday” has accumulated 1,327 Radio traffic audio and 173 dash/video tapes, confirming almost
all of our information and data, along with tactical worksheets, notes, dispatch logs, SOPs, Mayday training information,
follow-up reports, internal investigation documents” (Don Abbott, 2016)
As you will see later in the program, Mayday events most often occur early in an event. What Mayday training is included in your basic Firefighter I/II classes? Problem-solving and critical thinking skills need to be taught as early as possible in the firefighter’s career if we expect a positive reaction to the unforeseen event. To quote Gordon Graham, if it is predictable, it is preventable. Training on policy and procedure prepares members. Which leads us to the next topic, response plans. What are your response plans (Policies and Procedures), should a Mayday occur early in an event? Has senior staff researched and run exercises to be certain your procedures work for your organization? There are many excellent procedures available, but as a small department, you may not have the resources to utilize large city policy and procedure. Understand what works for your organization, then train. The first building block is the establishment of common terminology. The second is training and re-training on vetted realistic policy and procedure. Chief Abbott suggests every six months.
These ideas are just ideas if you don’t know the statistics. Thanks to the work of Don Abbott data is available. The obvious is that we stay prepared for the unexpected. With data, we can build response plans, then train on the predictable. In the next several slides there is a review of the data collected by Chief Abbott. These statistics are from approximately 1000 significant events. Did you know 67% of Maydays occur when the command is mobile?

7. Mayday and the RIT Objective:
The Member will understand when firefighters call Mayday and will know tactical options

8. Mayday and the RIT Firefighter ages: Experience:
50% are between ages 32-40
Experience:
6-15 years
Predictable, then preventable! Don Abbott’s research shows that victims of a Mayday are typically what we would consider in their prime. These responders were at or near their peak age for fitness and had ample experience. Is it training or response planning that let them down? We know it can be both. Some factors gleaned from the research suggests that several common problems confront the responder during a Mayday situation. They include distortion of time, disorientation, reluctance to relinquish control, loss of situational awareness, and pride or denial of a problem.

9. Mayday and the RIT Emotional event: A lot of yelling
Slide 9– timestamps (some interesting ones that I recorded)
:31 – Size Up
Communications with Low Air Alarms
11:00
13:50
17:00
21:00
29:29
15:00 – 3rd Alarm
20:45 – RIT Established
31:45 – Mayday Called
34:14 – Switched Operations to different TAC Channel
40:25 – Two victims located and removing
After listening to many posted audios of Mayday events, there is no doubt that the emotions run high during an event. Rather than going back to training the trapped firefighter can be heard pleading for help, rather than use clear reports such as U-CAN. You can hear command officers yelling at other command officers about air time or responsibilities. Is this because of the lack of basic training or a good response plan? Or is a lack of drills? Have our members been taught the needed discipline to remain calm and give a clear U-CAN or LUNAR report?
We all know that it is impossible to get the emotion out of an event that could cost the lives of our friends. With solid policy and procedures that we have trained on, we can reduce the stress. Part of this year's Safety Stand Down message to train, stay calm and execute the plan. That will give us the best chance for a positive outcome.
Real life experience, backed up by studies, has been demonstrated that responder revert to their basic train when during stressful events. Does the basic training provided in your department provide the skill set that you firefighters and command officers need?

10. Mayday and the RIT Time of Day Shift
The majority of Maydays occur between midnight and 0300, with a full 50% occurring between midnight and This is useful data to know, but we have to drill down into the why. We know that most residential/civilian fatal fires occur at night. Are firefighters simply offered more opportunities to conclude that they are willing to take a huge risk at night? Is a poor risk assessment done due to fatigue at the end of the shift? Can we make good rational decisions within minutes of awakening from a deep sleep? According to the survey, 73% of Maydays occur during the second half of a 24-hour shift. Research into the effects of rotating shift work on health, social, and performance indices suggests significantly more health concerns and judgment errors and poorer sleep patterns in shift workers on rotating versus nonrotating schedules. ( retrieved on 11/2/16 (See the abstract below)
Increasing Awareness of Sleep Hygiene in Rotating Shift Workers: Arming Law-Enforcement Officers against Impaired Performance
Mark I. Holbrook⇑
Melinda H. White
Michelle J. Hutt
University of Southern Maine
Address correspondence to Mark Holbrook, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth Street, Portland, Maine 04103
Abstract
Research into the effects of rotating shift work on health, social, and performance indices suggests significantly more health concerns and judgment errors and poorer sleep patterns in shift workers on rotating versus nonrotating schedules. 31 male and seven female law-enforcement officers voluntarily participated in a training session on sleep hygiene practices. On the Sleep Hygiene Awareness and Practice Scale administered before and after training were significant increases in awareness of sleep hygiene and knowledge of nicotine, caffeine, and hypnotics. We predicted that use of this knowledge would increase sleep satisfaction. However, 1-mo. follow-up scores on the Post-sleep Inventory of Webb, et al. reflected no change. It appears that scheduling demands, coupled with feelings of low self-efficacy toward managing those demands, resulted in little or no practice of sleep hygiene. A more productive approach may be to incorporate a comprehensive behavioral program within departments to instill and reinforce better practice of sleep hygiene.
Accepted July 28, 1994.

11. Mayday and the RIT Understanding the situation is key
“We should have a recording of a good and bad on scene report here.”
As stated on Close Calls.com Size-up is Key. No Size-Up = Higher opportunity for a Mayday. According to Chief Abbott’s survey “When no on scene radio size-up was given by the first unit, the incidence of Mayday at scenes grew exponentially.” From the report on career departments, 57.1% of the times a Mayday was called, there was no 360 and 26.5% of the time there was an incomplete 360.
The question then is “does your on scene report cover the necessary information? What is your policy? Do you train on it?
What should be in your policy? To review, the on-scene report starts with identifying yourself, unit ID and address. Followed by the type and class of structure, size, and number of stories. Is there anything showing, do I have water and what is my strategy. And of course, the on scene report concludes with a command statement, who and where.
If you are unable to complete the 360 size up, assign someone else to complete it.

12. Mayday and the RIT Terminology RIC: Rapid Intervention Crew
RIT: Rapid Intervention Team
FAST: Firefighter Assistance and Search Team
It is important for mutual aid departments to come up with common terminology. The chaos and emotion surrounding a Mayday will be stressful. Not using the same terminology will only add to the chaos and stress.

13. Mayday and the RIT Terminology
LUNAR: Location – Unit – Name – Assignment – Resources
NUCAN: Name – Unit (Assignment/Location) – Conditions – Actions – Needs
UCAN: Unit – Conditions – Actions – Needs
Again, it is important for mutual aid departments to come up with common terminology. The confusion and emotion surrounding a Mayday will be stressful. Not using the same terminology will only add to the chaos and stress. Which acronym are your members trained to use?

14. Mayday and the RIT For local add on Review your on scene policy here
This slide was designed for the locality to insert their policy.
“The on-scene report gives the initial arriving company officer the opportunity to gather more detailed information. The on-scene report should paint an image of the building type and conditions upon arrival to other incoming units. The on-scene report should be concise, but provide sufficient information to incoming units to permit for proper apparatus placement and crew deployment. The information contained in the on-scene report should include the position of first arriving apparatus (side of the building), what is evident upon arrival, occupancy type, and exposure concerns.” NOVA Manual

15. Mayday and the RIT Which unit is most often involved in a Mayday?
1st Unit On Scene 52%
2nd Unit On Scene 23%
3rd Unit On Scene 17%
4th Unit On Scene 5%
Given the data from Chief Abbotts study, What are the risk reduction measures we can put into place?
Have your members discuss the options. It is suggested that you give them 15 minutes for a brainstorming session. Record the suggestions and pass them on to senior officers or the training division.

16. Mayday and the RIT
We suggest a video be inserted here relevant for your locality.

17. Mayday and the RIT Crew size when Mayday is called 2 Person 21%
According to Chief Abbott’s study these are to average crew sizes when a Mayday is called.

18. Mayday and the RIT Engines Ladders Rescue Bat Chiefs 2- 16% 1- 67%
Number of Apparatus on scene at the time of the Mayday
Engines
Ladders
Rescue
Bat Chiefs
2- 16%
1- 67%
1- 66%
1 – 83%
3 – 47%
2 – 31%
2 – 44%
2 – 11%
4 – 23%
3 -2%
3 - 6%
5 – 9%
6 – 5%
It is interesting that the majority of the time, 83%, there is a Chief officer on scene and that there are resources, (3 engines) 47% of the time. What can be the problem? Again have the members do a brainstorming session to come up with the potential issues.

19. Work/Shift Hours – Overtime
Mayday and the RIT
Work/Shift Hours – Overtime
1371 departments complete component 2 of the study. 37.6% (33) Maydays were called when the member was on overtime or passed the normal 24-hour work shift. 62.4% (55) Maydays were called when the member was on overtime or passed the normal 48-hour work shift. Which raises the obvious question of fatigue; How many hours should firefighters work without a break? What cautions should be in place when we are aware of the fatigue factor??

20. Sleep deprivation videos
Mayday and the RIT
Sleep deprivation videos

21. Mayday and the RIT
Again, using the 1371 departments that responded to Chief Abbotts 2nd component, Falls from the roof, Falls into the basement and Lost/Separated from the hose comprise 62% (850) of the Mayday calls. What safety considerations are provided during training in your department provide?

22. Mayday and the RIT
The most significant data collected is that 87% (1178) of the total reported rescues in component 2 of the study were done by the member, the member's crew or another crew already operating in the interior. All crews working on the scene have to be ready to act when a member has a problem. Does our basic training provide that training and do we, as mentioned earlier, reinforce those skill every six months to ensure muscle memory?

23. Mayday and the RIT Call the Mayday when: Falls Collapse Alarms
Caught – entangled
Lost – disoriented
Trapped
FALLS • Anytime you experience a fall you
should initiate a Mayday.
• COLLAPSE • Anytime you experience a collapse you should initiate a Mayday.
• ALARM • Any situation which leads to you activating your PASS, whether it is distress or low air; you should
initiate a Mayday. (Call via radio before activating PASS)
• CAUGHT • Anytime you are entangled you should initiate a Mayday.
• LOST • Anytime you are disoriented, separated or lost you should initiate a Mayday.
• TRAPPED • Anytime you become trapped you should initiate a Mayday.

24. Mayday and the RIT Other factors:
ZVC (Zero Visibility Conditions) - 36% of the time
PZVC (Prolonged Zero Visibility Conditions) – 23% of the time
ZVC and PZVC lead to disorientation and/or becoming lost. Once disoriented the member starts to use up limited resources. That is air and energy. As these are expended, the time we have to wait on the RIT is minimized. Do you know strategies to re-orient yourself or conserve your limited resources?

25. Mayday and the RIT
“The capability of our protective gear can now consistently out perform the natural limits of our anatomy and physiology…just because you can go someplace on the fire ground doesn’t mean you should go there … simply our modern turnouts can live a lot longer than our old fashioned bodies.” Chief Alan Brunacini

26. Mayday and the RIT

27. Mayday and the RIT
“The only way to guarantee a successful outcome of a “Mayday” is to prevent it!”
(From Project Mayday)
“ You will not rise and stay to an occasion, but will sink to the level of your training.” Josh Medcalf

28. Mayday and the RIT Objective:
The Company Officer will understand when firefighters call Mayday and know response options

29. Mayday and the RIT The Path to Mastery Process and Practice Training
Unknown
Learning
Drop
Plateau
Training
New Plateau
Process and Practice
The Path to Mastery

30. Mayday Victim – Personal Thoughts From Project Mayday
Collect your thoughts and control your breathing
BOA Control your breathing, Organize and take Action
Call the Mayday
Advise the IC of your intentions
Make noise without wasting air
It’s difficult to hear (PASS alarm / Vibralert)
Monitor distance into the structure
Be accountable to someone
AIR = TIME = SURVIVAL
INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL SURVEY – Mayday VICTIM In each individual personal survey – Mayday victim were instructed that the surveys were confidential, department name or victim’s name would NOT be shared with anyone. It was requested that all information be factual and honest. A request was made to each fire department for permission, that each Mayday-victim complete the individual personal survey – Mayday victim. INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL SURVEY – Mayday VICTIM 1,081 / 1,371 Male: 1,052 Female: 29
Project Mayday
Collect your thoughts and control your breathing
Remember BOA Control your Breathing, Organize and Act

31. Mayday and the RIT
On the following slides are a sampling the results of individual personal survey questions asked of Mayday victims during Component 2 of Project Mayday. Would your members’ percentage of yes answers be higher?
Stress that a positive answer to each or all of these question contributes to better situational awareness.

32. Mayday and the RIT
Did a discussion take place amongst the crew about the incident prior to arrival? YES … 17%
Was there a pre-plan for your “Mayday” (commercial building)? YES … 9%
Was 360 conducted by a crew member? YES … 27%
Facilitate a discussion on the importance of each topic.

33. Mayday and the RIT Was a water supply line laid and charged? YES … 61%
Were specific orders given to crew members by the CO? YES … 54%
Did each member of the crew have a radio? YES … 47%
Was accountability started? YES … 46%
Was there a basement identified? YES … 31%
Facilitate a discussion on the importance of each topic.
 Mayday radio traffic should take priority over all other traffic on the fire ground and should be clear and direct.

34. Mayday and the RIT
Were there any signs of a confirmed rescue? (dispatch information, someone on the scene confirming someone inside, etc.) YES: … 6%
Were there cars in the driveway, lights on inside the structure? YES … 17%
Did the structure show signs of being vacant? YES … 21%
CO stayed outside to be the IC? YES … 71%
Facilitate a discussion on the importance of each topic.

35. Mayday and the RIT Were you masked up prior to structure entry?
Always ….. 69% Most of the time …. 29% Seldom …. 2%
How often do you leave your hoseline by more than 10ft in near zero visibility?
Most of the time ….. 81%
How often do you check the nozzle setting prior to entry into the structure?
Most of the time …. 17% Seldom ….. 53%
Facilitate a discussion on the importance of each topic.

36. Mayday and the RIT Did you sounded the floor on S/FA? YES: … 11%
Was water applied prior to the Mayday? YES … 66%
Did you request a second crew to assist? YES … 23%
Was an air check conducted, prior to Mayday? NO … 78% …. Estimated amount of air at the time of your Mayday? 1600psi
Facilitate a discussion on the importance of each topic.

37. Mayday and the RIT Do You Know The Way Out?
Use the hose line as a guide out. If the first coupling you feel is the female coupling (smooth end followed by short lugs), then the male coupling (long lugs), you are headed towards the exit. Fire ground survival often depends on your awareness of the soundings.

38. Mayday and the RIT Objectives:
The Command Officer shall understand when firefighters call Mayday and know strategic options

39. Mayday and the RIT What does your FD use for initial Mayday report?
LUNAR ……. 41%
NUCAN ….. 11%
GRAB LIVES …… 32%
LIP ….. 5%
PCAN ……. 5%
UCAN ….. 4%
other ……. 2%
What is your department policy?
Have you trained on the procedure?
Having a system in place will give more consistent outcomes.

40. Mayday and the RIT From the Command Officer’s Seat:
Fire Ground Survival is ensured through prevention
What happens with radio channels when a Mayday is called?
Have you done a PAR?
Do you have a checklist to use during a Mayday?
Fire Ground Survival is ensured through prevention. We must always stress good size-up and training.
Can the victim communicate with command
Was the victim given adequate time to communicate
Does command offer reassuring advice
Is the pass turned off to aid in clearer communications
What action do you train the firefighter to perform
Have you called for a PAR: Personnel Accountability Report
The use of checklists during a Mayday can help ensure that key operational components of the response are addressed
Studies have shown that it takes 12 firefighters to rescue a downed firefighter?

41. Mayday and the RIT From the Command Officers Seat:
What post event actions do you take?
Were you involved in any follow-up investigation YES ….. 34%
Was your PPE inspected after your Mayday? YES … 39%
Were you involved in any follow-up investigation YES ….. 34% - Why can’t we make this 100%?
The following need follow-up as well:
Was your PPE inspected after your Mayday? YES … 39% -
Were you issued any new PPE? YES ….. 31% -
How was your peer interaction after the incident? The same …. 38%, question my actions ….. 24% thought less of …. 16%, thought more of …. 32% - Were you requested to take any special training? YES …. 16% -
Did not have all my PPC on: NO … Hood … 31%, Gloves … 4%

42. Mayday and the RIT
From Project Mayday, the following are comments victims of the reported Maydays made.
Why did you agree to do this survey?
I needed to share my story.
I wanted people to learn from my mistakes.
Did I do what others have done?
Other comments
CO should not stay outside - Never enter a hoarder's house - I didn’t trust who was on the IRIC team sent inside to rescue me (Interesting comment)

43. Mayday and the RIT On deteriorating conditions:
Came faster than expected
Couldn’t react fast enough
Crew passing on situation awareness was slow or never came to all crew members
Moved faster than we should have
Got off hose line farther than I should have
NIOSH LODD investigations have proven that firefighters are still dying because of the three C’s. The three “C’s” are C-rew continuity C-omplacency C-ommunications? (FGS, IAFF, Ch.1 Background)

44. Mayday and the RIT On deteriorating conditions:
Spacing off the hose line was to far
When we fell into the basement, someone should have passed us a line
TIC didn’t work as expected on the first floor with fire in the basement
There should have been ladders at a third floor window for escape, instead of jumping

45. Considerations / Recommendations From Project Mayday
The three most common reasons firefighters need to be rescued:
inadequate fire experience
Inadequate fire training
poor leadership at the company level
Lack of situational awareness

46. Considerations / Recommendations From Project Mayday
Restful Sleep vs Stressful Sleep
Declaring a Mayday without a radio:
assume position that offers the most safety
activate the PASS
tap on hard objects, pipes, wall, etc.
shine flashlight at the ceiling
draw attention to your location

47. Considerations / Recommendations From Project Mayday
Complete size-up, conduct a 360
Smoke and fire reports/information need to be consistent and accurate
At a certain point a person must accept they need help and must know and follow the procedures to do so

48. Considerations / Recommendations From Project Mayday
WHY DO WE WAIT SO LONG?
Tunnel vision, become to focused on the wrong things
Underestimate existing conditions and NOT forecasting what they could become
YOU CALLED A Mayday … Now What?
Collect your thoughts, control your breathing
What are you intentions?
Can you do those things ask by the IC?
Keep mask on
Have a plan when you start to run low on air!
Exercise your Mayday call (LUNAR, GRAB LIVES)
Don’t give up
The firefighter who has called a Mayday should keep calling on the radio until someone answers and activate their pass device

49. Considerations / Recommendations From Project Mayday
Be realistic with your training needs, what is your weakest area, then work hard with your training.
Become the rescuer that you want to be … that would rescue yourself.
When working with a new officer or crew, under- stand their expectations.
As a officer have fire ground rules that your crew must follow.

50. Mayday and the RIT
Chief Abbott recommends that we continue to train on our MayDay procedures.
What program for continuing training do you have for your Fire Department??
The IAFC , the SHS section , NVFC and other supporters thank you for taking your time to focus on safety.