Promotional Scenario #8

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