IAFF National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Report of the Month

Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

This National Near-Miss Reporting System report discusses a structure fire requiring a Mayday from an interior attack crew and serves as a reminder of the importance of an ongoing size-up on the fire ground.

One of the goals of every fire department is to prevent the need for a Mayday or subsequent Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) operation. Given the fuel loads in the average residential or commercial structure, there is only a small window of survivability for a fire fighter who is out of air or trapped. Fire fighters must not delay reporting to Command if they become lost, trapped or otherwise in need of assistance.

Structure fires in today’s fire service have never been more dangerous. The materials that are burning are in excess of 21,000 BTUs on arrival and the potential of pre-flash conditions on entry are a reality. Personal protective gear affords better protection and the ability to get deeper inside a structure. Unfortunately, it can also get fire fighters in trouble, while the indicators of a dangerous atmosphere may be missed.

“Our department was dispatched to a reported structure fire. On arrival, the first due engine advised of a single story residential (wood frame construction) structure with no hazards showing. Command was established and an investigative mode was initiated. Fire fighters encountered a light haze of smoke inside the building with low heat. Both fire fighters donned their SCBA.

“The fire fighters continued to search for the origin of the smoke. Prior to entering a bedroom, the fire fighters decided to leave the hose line in the hallway outside the bedroom door. Seconds after entering the bedroom, a fire erupted in size and intensity that I have never seen before. The lieutenant declared a working fire and began attacking the fire with a charged hose line. Within seconds of this transmission, a Mayday was declared. The room and exterior went from nothing showing to fully involved.”

To read the entire report, visit www.firefighternearmiss.com, click on search reports, and keyword search Mayday. Scroll down to report 09-1033 or select other Mayday-related reports.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Command officers and Chiefs, what is your department’s policy on Mayday procedures?

2.  Officers, what can you do to prevent a Mayday from occurring and when was the last time you drilled on Mayday procedures?

3.  Fire fighters, do you know how to transmit a proper Mayday, including who, what, where?

4.  When was the last time you practiced fire ground survival skills?

If you have experienced a Mayday event, help your brothers and sisters by submitting a report to the National Near-Miss Reporting System at www.firefighternearmiss.com. The lessons you learned yesterday will help another fire fighter tomorrow.


Note: The questions posed by the reviewers are designed to generate discussion and thought in the name of promoting fire fighter safety. They are not intended to pass judgment on the actions and performance of individuals in the reports.