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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 503.02 REVISED& RENUMBERED 3-2013_Dispatcher MAYDAY503.02 — Dispatcher's Response to a MAYDAY Effective. 9/5/2009 Revised: 3/5/2013 Replaces: SOG 202.02 VIII.C. I. Guiding Philosophy We recognize that a MAYDAY situation involving a trapped or lost member is a critical time at an emergency incident. Our ability to effect a safe and timely rescue operation in these situations depends heavily on our personnel following an established process for both reporting the MAYDAY and responding to it. The use of this standard procedure is vital to achieving the best possible outcome during an extraordinarily stressful and difficult situation. II. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to communicate the standard actions Fire -EMS Communications Center personnel should take when responding to a MAYDAY that has been called by a firefighter in distress. III. Goals The goal of this policy is to outline the responsibilities of Fire -EMS Communications personnel when a MAYDAY situation is declared. IV. Definitions A. Distressed Firefighter — Lost, trapped, injured, or missing firefighter who needs assistance. B. Emergency Alert Tones — Series of ur���i� � f j tones broadcast by a Fire Dispatcher to announce emergency radio traffic. C. MAYDAY — Term broadcast by a firefighter in distress or in the event of a missing firefighter. D. PAR — Acronym for Personnel Accountability Report. E. RIG — Acronym for the Rapid Intervention Group. V. Dispatcher's Response to a MAYDAY A. The term "MAYDAY" shall be reserved exclusively to report a firefighter in distress at an emergency incident. B. Generally, MAYDAY situations are critically time sensitive and an immediate response must be implemented to take advantage of the limited time element facing firefighters in distress. C. Dispatchers are responsible for assisting in the early activation of a MAYDAY declaration and supporting on -scene operations. D. The Dispatcher's Response to a MAYDAY 1. Upon declaration of a MAYDAY, the Incident Commander shall acknowledge the MAYDAY unit, "(7ear Portable #. t.,omman to Headquarters, tees, there is a MA YDA Y in, progress, " on the assigned tactical channel so that all personnel will cease normal radio traffic. a. The Dispatcher will transmit, "(" ear t.,omman MA YDA Y in, Progress. "' b. The Dispatcher will transmit 1 louiii�il^„ . c. The Dispatcher will transmit, "MA YDA Y in, progress, priority d. Only radio traffic pertinent to the MAYDAY shall be permitted on the current tactical channel. e. If requested by the IC, the Dispatcher will designate another operating channel for continuing non -MAYDAY related operations. f. The Rapid Intervention Group, Incident Safety Officer, the distressed firefighter(s), and a designated dispatcher will remain on the original frequency for the MAYDAY response. g. Radio discipline MUST be maintained throughout the MAYDAY response! 2. Always be alert to the fact that a MAYDAY may not be heard or recognized by the Incident Commander. a. If the Incident Commander does not respond promptly to the MAYDAY call, then immediately notify Command and responders that a MAYDAY call has been declared by utilizing Emergency Alert Tones. b. If the distressed firefighter broadcasts the MAYDAY on an unassigned channel, then the IC, Safety Officer and RIG shall be advised that this channel is now the MAYDAY frequency. 'Illlii�, w 11i^ r��iv ui! III ur 111^�� wm a i uii 4)111,1 1 ! iu i„ dII w arui,l ui i^! Iv iu���! ui 1 ! ui 11i^�������m c. All n on -MAYDAY related traffic on this channel shall be rerouted immediately to another operating channel. If the RIG is activated and Command has not requested an additional alarm, Fire -EMS Communications should prompt Command and deploy an additional alarm. a. Ensure that the units responding for the second alarm are notified of the correct non -MAYDAY tactical channel. SOG 503.02 - Dispatcher's Response to a MAYDAY Page 2 of 3 b. Place the Sabine -Neches Chiefs Association on standby (SOG 501.05 Sabine -Neches Chiefs Activation) c. Monitor status of apparatus City-wide. Initiate notifications and SOG 205.01 Emergency Backup & Deployment Plan, if required. 4. Once a MAYDAY is declared, every effort should be made to have a dispatcher monitoring the MAYDAY frequency. SOG 503.02 — Dispatcher's Response to a MAYDAY Page 3 of 3