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300-002 Firefighter Mayday Guideline Effective Date: 3/26/08 Reference: December 11th, 2013 revised to reflect orange emergency activation button on the UHF Digital Trunked Radio System Next Review: Modified Date: 04/23/2025 CLASSIFICATION: STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Issued By: Michael Biviano, County Chiefs President Scott Roman, Director DOERC Purpose: The purpose of this guideline is to establish a method for firefighters to summon assistance at a fireground emergency. Method: If a firefighter finds themselves trapped, missing, or in need of assistance, it is vital that the firefighter take the following steps to ensure that assistance is received immediately. Fireground Emergency 1. If the firefighter is able to reach their radio, they shall transmit a “MAYDAY” in the following manner: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday – Firefighter Name with the Mayday” 2. The Firefighter should then wait for the Incident Commander to acknowledge their Mayday. Upon acknowledgment the Firefighter shall state their name, location, situation and what assistance they need. 3. Once Command has this information, they will request radio silence, put firefighter rescue measures in place and as soon as practical notify Fire Control of the Mayday providing them the same information the Firefighter in distress provided to them. 4. Fire Control at the time will activate their Alert Tone 2 transmitting the Mayday over Fire Dispatch. The Incident Commander can request this to be done over the Department’s Operating Talk Group for the incident as well if they choose. 5. In the event the MAYDAY is not acknowledged the firefighter shall then press the Orange Emergency Evacuation Button on either the speaker mic or the top of the radio for three to five seconds. This will send an emergency alert to the Communications Center, and the Incident Commander if his/her radio is scanning, and any radio scanning the 911Priority talk group. The Orange Emergency Activation button press will take the firefighters radio to the 911 Priority Talk Group for direct communication with the Communications Center and the Incident Commander. ---PAGE BREAK--- 6. After pressing the orange emergency button, the Firefighter shall transmit a “MAYDAY” in the following manner: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday – Firefighter Name with the Mayday” 7. The Firefighter should then wait for the 911 Dispatcher to acknowledge their Mayday. Upon acknowledgment the Firefighter shall state their name, location, situation and what assistance they need. 8. Once Fire Control has this information, they will immediately contact the Incident Commander notifying them of the Mayday, relaying the information provided by the Firefighter calling the Mayday and advising Command that the Firefighter Mayday is on Priority – Channel 16 Bank 1 . 9. After Command has acknowledged the Mayday, Fire Control at the time will activate their Alert Tone 2 transmitting the Mayday over Fire Dispatch. The Incident Commander can request this to be done over the Department’s Operating Talk Group for the incident as well if they choose. 10. The firefighter should then turn on their flashlight to assist the RIT Team or those firefighters assigned in locating the Distressed Firefighter(s). The decision to activate the MAYDAY firefighters PASS alarm should be coordinated between the Incident Commander, the RIT Team Leader or the firefighters assigned, and the RIT search team or firefighters assigned. Turning on your PASS alarm can cause excess confusion and noise; activation MUST be coordinated between all parties. 11. The Incident Commander may request additional manpower to the scene and or an additional RIT Team, if available. 12. It is Imperative that all firefighters stay focused on their current assignments unless directed otherwise by an officer. A SUDDEN OUTBREAK OF FREELANCING COULD HAVE DISASTROUS RESULTS. 13. Upon completion of the MAYDAY situation, the Incident Commander shall advise all units operating at the incident and the Communications Center that the MAYDAY has been handled and radio traffic may resume normal operations. Michael Biviano - County Chiefs President Scott Roman- Director DOERC