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Promotional Scenario #8
Managing the May-Day
In our promotional preparation seminars for the rank of Chief Officer, we often assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a Chief Officer by introducing a change, or having something go wrong in the middle of an incident. This is done primarily to assess the candidate’s composure , and adaptability skills. As part of our preparation, we often assess the candidate’s ability to “Manage a May-Day.” To assist you with your preparation we have enclosed an answer key that reflects the minimum you would need to do if you are confronted with a May-Day transmission on a promotional exam. As with all exercises, specific information or challenges within the incident exercise may also need to be addressed, but at the very least we think this is a good list to build from.
MAY-DAY Checklist:
- Clear the “air”, declare Emergency Traffic on the radio
- Acknowledge the MAY-DAY transmission
- Obtain information from the MAY-MAY firefighter(s)
- May-Day Information: L.U.N.A.R. – Location, Unit, Name, Assignment, Resource needs (National Fire Academy SOP)
- May-Day Information: Who, What and Where (Jersey City Fire Department SOP)
- Move non-affected or non-involved units to a fire suppression radio frequency
- Dedicate the May-Day radio frequency for the rescue operation.
- Commit the Rapid intervention company(s)
- Transmit an additional alarm(s)
- Assign a new/replacement Rapid intervention Company
- Notify/advise EMS
- Assign a Rescue Group Supervisor for the MAY-DAY Operation
- Assign a Suppression Group Supervisor for fire operations
- Conduct a PAR to confirm missing member(s)
- Reinforce active firefighting positions
- Reinforce/support rescue operations
- Ventilate to draw the fire away from the May-Day/Rescue
- Direct hose line(s) to protect the rescue operation
- If information in the May-Day transmission was vague or not clear, attempt to obtain more information by asking:
- "Can you tell us the best/closest access route to you”?
- “Can you hear a hose stream or saw operating nearby”?
- “Are you near a staircase, shaft-way, wall, or other building feature”?
- “Can you give the condition of the injured member(s)”?
- “What tools and equipment will we need”?
- Change Incident Action plan (IAP) to prioritize Rescue and Removal
- Assign an Operations Officer to oversee and coordinate the Fire Suppression and Rescue efforts
- Assign multiple Safety Officers
- Assign a Planning Officer to prepare for extended operational/rescue periods
- Assign a Logistics Officer for Rescue Supplies and Support
- Assign an Information Officer to handle the Media
- Assign a Liaison Officer to coordinate the efforts of any assisting or cooperating agencies that were requested.
- Remove all non-essential personnel
- Coordinate and control all operations
- Tighten the span of control
- For multiple rescues, Establish a EMS Branch with Triage, Treatment and Transportation Groups
- For multiple rescues, assign a Victim Tracking Coordinator
- Notify area Hospital(s)
- Have Police prepare for a EMS escort to the Hospital
- Seek Progress Reports
- Rescue and remove all members
- Assign FD Liaison to the Hospital for injured members
- Provide relief and rehab for Rescue members/All members
- Once Under Control- Conduct a “Hot Wash”- on scene review
- After the Incident – Conduct a formal Post Incident Analysis
- Provide Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) for all members
- Notify Family(s) of the injured firefighters
- Assign FD members to assist family members with transportation and hospitality concerns.
- Maintain FD contact with family members 24/7
- Notify senior FD staff and Chief of Departments office
- Notify FD clergy
As we stated above, specific information in the exercise may require that you do, or request more. Examples: Identifying your Collapse Rescue plan, Search Rope procedures, Air Management, Thermal Imaging, etc. The promotional scenario will present additional challenges. Address and fix all of them!
Good Luck!
The Staff @ Promotional Prep
Student Note: As you know from our seminars, the above is a bulleted list of information. You will need to expand your oral communications to clarify your thoughts!
References:
Promotional Prep, Lt./Captain Promotional seminars
Fire Ground Size-Up, Terpak – Jersey City
Assessment Center Strategy and Tactics, Terpak - Jersey City
Fire Ground Operational Guides, Terpak – Jersey City/Viscuso – Kearny NJ
Collapse of Burning Buildings, Dunn – New York
For additional information:
Text Books:
- Assessment Center Strategy and Tactics from Fire Engineering Books
- Fire Ground Operational Guides from Fire Engineering Books
- Fire Ground Size-Up from Fire Engineering Books
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