FF Survival

[LtBlondie]

Anyone out there have formal "Mayday" training, I mean when to realize your in trouble and knowing to call for help and how to call for help.
We in Vaughan just implemented our FF survival and RIT training and the "mayday" training was awesome. It involved some classroom discussion and then hands-on where we put guys in full gear blacked out into "situations" where they would run into trouble and have to realize what was going on and call for help.
It was interesting to watch some guys struggle even though we told them they would be calling "mayday" but we all as humans what to fight and potentially run out of valuable air wasting time trying to get out of an entanglement for example.
Just wanted to see if anyone else had an SOG or this kind of training.
Thanks

[colin911]

We don't use the "Mayday" call ... our SOG is to press our emergency button, giving us 15 sec. open mic and broadcast "Emergency Transmission" 3 times and then state what sector you are, what is the problem and where you are (if you know). It's not in the SOG, but our practice is to sit tight, activate your PASS alarm and wait for help.

I think we need something like a Survival/RIT course taught more than just in training and then once in a while when you're on shift.

[Red_Devil]

we have something similar to what you use in brampton Colin. We dont have any real formal or SOG for declaring a mayday, if you think your in ytrouble then you just push the red button on the radio, thats all we got.

[Fireknight]

We also have the "red button" on our radios, but it goes to the dispatch and they can tell what crew and radio has been activated, then they inform incident command, we also go through self rescue training, a pretty intense course.

[iamvff]

We don't particularily have any set signal right at the moment, but I can tell ya that on the 16th we have an airpac course set up and we will be talking a fair bit about that. Good post...thanks. We do however have the pass alerts on our 4 main scba's, and we know how to use the emergency alert on them, but we haven't talked much about it....we will now!

be safe,
iamvff

[bestcoast]

Originally posted by colin911
We don't use the "Mayday" call ... our SOG is to press our emergency button, giving us 15 sec. open mic and broadcast "Emergency Transmission" 3 times and then state what sector you are, what is the problem and where you are (if you know). It's not in the SOG, but our practice is to sit tight, activate your PASS alarm and wait for help.

I think we need something like a Survival/RIT course taught more than just in training and then once in a while when you're on shift.


Same here....:D :D

[wilderness]

We have something along the lines same as the rest of you's
open your mike state emergency emergency emergency state your id and your location, if you are in the building and one is called the a air horn will be sound in three long blast ranging maybe 5 seconds each....

[Techy5]

No offence intended Red but I’m surprised to hear you say that.
I was a RIT "STI" for Toronto Fire before I quit and went to another FD 6 months ago.
I believe, if your “pumpkin book” is up-to-date, you will indeed find an SOG for maydays.
The RIT course being provided by the TFS is 4 days long and one of the most comprehensive courses on the subject you are likely to find. It dedicates almost a full half day to the Mayday SOG and every one of the 16 skill stations begins with you starting the mayday protocol. The final day (night actually) lends considerable time to mayday practice during the scenario and of the several hundred firefighters I took through it most seemed to agree it was some of the best training they had received in 20 plus years on the job. As I understand it “RIT 2” is due to start up in the spring.

Not being a member of the TFS any more I no longer have access to the pumpkin book and therefore am unable to tell you what section details the SOG for mayday, however, a quick phone call to my old brothers and I should be able to get that info for you.


Dave,
BFES

[LtBlondie]

Thanks for your reply Dave I've been to your set - up in TO with Geoff and it's awesome and I guess your lucky to have had the opportunity to go through it, now spread the word help others to learn the awesome techniques you've been taught there. They are hard to come by. I'm begging Geoff to let me sneek into a course he's putting on, what are my chances??
Good luck and look over head!!

[Techy5]

Lt,

Geoff and John, imo, put together a terrific program. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I worked with/for them and the experience helped make my choice to leave the TFS one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life.

You didn’t say if the Geoff course you were trying to sneak into was the RIT course or not. I have about as much pull as a chiwowwa, (spelling!! small dog) but say Hi for me. (A former RIT STI (shift training instructor) of his who gave it all up and went north.) <grin>
Actually, once Geoff has his “RIT II” program up and running, I will be requesting my Chief send me down to attend.


While I’m here, I noticed your post on Lexan. How long ago did that happen? I now work with a former Vaughan FF, name of Andrew V.... who left your neck of the woods about 4 years ago, tells a similar story involving himself. Just wondering if lightning struck twice. The story I heard would have happened… maybe 5 – 6 years back?
A long time ago I used to know a bunch of your guys at stn 2-A. Gord smith still alive?
In fact there is a big fella, Andy....? (I don’t have a hope in hell of spelling his last name) who rappels on my “Canadian Fire” rappelling team.

Stay safe,
Dave

[LtBlondie]

yep that's the same incident andy was on the nozzle. I spoke to Geoff yesterday and I'm taking his RIT course before I head to the FDIC in April, should be a blast.
I work at 72 now and I think you talking about Andy Z-man he's still here as well.Yes Gordie still alive and kicking he's an A PC now. that's stresses him to say the least..