FHWorld16: Maydays Spike Adrenalin; Calm RICs Required

Mayday!

That one word sends firefighters’ adrenalin skyrocketing.

And, knowing instantly what to do when that word is transmitted is essential. There’s no time to think.

That’s what Capt. Paul Strong emphasized to his class at Firehouse World 16 last week.

The only way for crews to react not only quickly but appropriately when they hear a firefighter is down, there’s been a collapse is to practice in a realistic environment

And, that’s what more than 400 in South King County, Wash. area have experienced as they were put through the paces in a prop that Strong built in an empty warehouse.

“When the RIC  is deployed, they need to grab equipment and go to work…”

Teams going into the prop to rescue colleagues were faced with a number of challenges, just like they may on the fire ground.

At times, the prop shook. Crews heard and felt collapses, metal clanged as fog created a smoky atmosphere.

“It’s noisy. I tried to recreate what they would deal with during a rescue. And, it’s anything but quiet…”

During his class, RIC for Real, Strong said crews have to be at their best and able to perform in difficult environments. Their lives as well as those they go in to assist depend on it.

“Air management is essential. They have to make critical decisions. Do we have enough air to continue or should we back out? Some became trapped themselves, and had to call for rescue.”

Strong pointed out that many NIOSH reports point out there were either no RIC in place when firefighters became lost or the rescuers lacked the proper training.

He stresses the need for training. “…They have to pay attention to detail. Every second counts…”

If a firefighter is already low on air, they have to decide if breaching a wall is the best option since it will take extra effort. Should the crew call for assistance at that point or forge ahead?

He spoke of the importance of departments that run together to train together.

As for equipment carried in the rescue bags, he said it’s important to take careful inventory to make sure they contain only the essentials. “One crew’s pack had so much, it weighed 60 lbs., which was slowing them down.”

Firefighters shouldn’t just be ready to react to a Mayday, but know when to call one as well. NIOSH investigators often point out that the department had no policies or training on the subject.

“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to build the prop in a vacant warehouse. I wanted to make it as stressful as possible…”

• Photos: Day 1 - Future Firefighter Program
• FHWorld16: Firehouse Ambassadors Get Lessons in Values
• FHWorld16: Fireground Air Management - A US/UK Perspective
• FHWorld16: Building a Robust Fire Dynamics Training Program
• FHWorld16: The Halligan Is a Valuable Tool on the Fireground
• FHWorld16: Sendelbach Poses Challenge to Fire Service
• FHWorld16: Chief Hood Says It's 'Time to Own It'
• FHWorld16: Leading Health Risks on the Modern Fireground
• FHWorld16: An International Look at Firefighting
• Photos: Day 2 - Firehouse World 2016
• FHWorld16: Strategies & Tactics for Residential Attic Fires
• FHWorld16: Safety in the Decision-Making Process
• FHWorld16: Trust Between Officers, Chiefs Critical to Fireground Operations
• FHWorld16: Weathering Organizational Change Takes the Efforts of Many
• FHWorld16: Fresno Fire Chief Donis Addresses Cortland Incident
• FHWorld16: Each Firefighter Controls Integrity, Virtues
• FHWorld16: Baltimore Chiefs Discuss Response, Challenges During Riots
• FHWorld16: Liability Related to Use of Force on the Incident Scene