SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
F. The RIT leader should attempt to ascertain the location of the person(s) calling the MAYDAY.
Once this is done the RIT will enter the structure with full PPE, SCBA and all necessary
equipment and attempt to locate the lost, downed or trapped firefighter(s).
G. If/when the subject(s) of the MAYDAY are located, and situational assessment made, the RIT
leader shall notify the Incident Commander of their condition and communicate a plan of action as
soon as practically possible.
H. The RIT should continue searching for the source of the MAYDAY until personnel are found or it
is determined that the structure is no longer safe or tenable, a team member can no longer proceed,
or the Incident Commander gives an order to retreat from the building or area.
I. Once it is determined that a RIT is no longer needed on the fire ground, these personnel should be
returned to service as soon as possible.
“MAYDAY”
The rescue of lost, trapped or missing firefighter(s) in a burning building or collapsed building is especially
time sensitive. There is a very narrow window in survivability for a firefighter(s) who is out of air supply,
trapped by approaching fire or by heavy structural collapse.
Therefore, rapid, concise decisions and actions must be taken to increase survivability. The MAYDAY
program is designed to prepare all personnel for any sudden life threatening occurrence that may injure,
trap, disorient or distress any emergency response personnel during an emergency incident. MAYDAY will
be the radio signal used for any distressed firefighter needing assistance for any reason. No other term shall
be substituted. The following guidelines shall be used when declaring a MAYDAY
A. Declaring a MAYDAY
When an emergency responder identifies that he, or a member of his team, is lost, trapped,
missing, disoriented or injured and in need of assistance, he shall (if possible) transmit a verbal
message on the tactical channel to Command and state, “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”.
The person transmitting the MAYDAY shall, if possible, advise the following:
1. Their apparatus assignment number, their rank and their last name.
2. Their last known location: floor, room, side of building, etc. and number of personnel
involved.
3. Problem: trapped, lost disoriented, out of air, etc.
4. Their needs: hose line, ladder, air cylinders and rescue tools, etc.
If a firefighter is unable to communicate verbally, he should activate the alarm on his PASS
device.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 274
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley