A few weeks back, I had the wonderful opportunity to tour the training facilities at the Montgomery County (Md.) Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS). The MCFRS is one of those fire departments that really gets it when it comes to training. They’re focused on training that makes things come out right on the fireground.
One of the things that caught my attention while I was there: the floor collapse and mayday training simulator. The MCFRS understands that certain actions, like calling for help during a high-stress event–such as falling through a floor–should be practiced and then practiced more, because we may only get one chance to get it right.
This month’s Quick Drill highlights one part of the MCFRS program for you to use in your company drill. Specifically, when you’re trapped or missing inside a structure, what information do you need to provide to the incident commander or the rapid intervention team (RIT) that will improve your chances of being rescued?
LUNAR Up Close
Like many departments, the MCFRS uses the acronym LUNAR to help firefighters remember the important information that should be included in any mayday call:
- L-Location
- U-Unit
- N-Name
- A-Assignment and Air Supply
- R-Resources Needed
Although this acronym, or something similar, is probably very familiar to you and your crew, it needs to be practiced often to ensure it’s used by firefighters who are trapped in a hostile environment. Thus, a great company drill is to review each part of the LUNAR acronym and practice making mayday calls that include all the informational elements of LUNAR.
Location
This is a critical piece of information when looking for a missing crewmember. Even if your accountability system is in place and working, it may only give the entry point at which you entered the structure. As you advance deeper into the structure, you become more difficult to find. For that reason, your location report should include the floor of the structure you’re on; whether you’re in Quadrant 1, 2, 3, etc.; the area of the building you’re in; and whether you’re on the A, B, C or D side.
You should also include more detailed information about your surroundings, if you can provide it. Little details that you may not think are important at the time can help you do a little deductive reasoning. Example: What kind of room are you in–an office, bedroom, bathroom, storage closet, etc.? Look and feel around the room for items that will give you clues, such as sinks, beds and file cabinets. Even the floor coverings may help you reach some conclusions.
Any details you can provide may help command and RIT locate you faster. Convey whether you’re on an exterior wall, at a window or at a locked walk-through door or a roll-up door. Can you hear the sounds of the apparatus outside or see the warning lights? The list is almost endless.
Unit
What apparatus are you assigned to today? This information might seem irrelevant when you’re in a life-threatening situation inside a structure, but it gives command a quick, down-and-dirty clue about the part of the fireground to which you were last assigned. Command can also use information from your company officer and other crewmembers, who may have made their way out of the structure.
Name
This is probably the one piece of information that you’ll never forget to provide when calling a mayday! Although it may seem obvious, providing your name is important because it allows command to cross-reference it with the accountability system or whatever system you may use by name. This could be very useful if there is more than one missing member or if there’s another member who command didn’t know was missing but had the good fortune of being located.
Assignment and/or Air Supply
Many departments use predetermined task or riding assignments for their members based on their position on the apparatus. For example, the left rear firefighter on the aerial ladder may be assigned to open the stairwells on the roof. If that member calls a mayday, knowing their assignment can be an excellent starting point for the search and rescue, especially if they don’t know or can’t provide you their exact location.
Air is also a critical resource when you’re in a hostile environment because you can only last a little longer than the supply of air you carried in on your back. Knowing how much you have, and relaying this information when you call the mayday, helps command understand the urgency of the situation. It can also be an excellent way to remind yourself to use self-rescue techniques, such as skip breathing, if needed.
Resources Needed
If you’re trapped or missing, knowing exactly what you need to help you self-extricate can be the game changer. For instance, you can tell command to “throw a ladder to the B side second floor” or “my leg is pinned and I need a pry bar.” This type of information saves time when it’s in short supply by detailing early in the mayday situation exactly what you need. Remember: “Resources” can include just about anything. The basic question that you need to ask is, what equipment and personnel do I need to get myself out of this situation?
Reinforce Continually
Remember that one of the critical elements for making the odds turn in your favor during a mayday event is front-loading information and training on your department’s mayday procedures. This is just one of those operations that must be done prior to the actual event and then reinforced as often as necessary to achieve and maintain proficiency.
