This month we remember Lieutenant Jason Menard of the Worcester (MA) Fire Department. On November 13, 2019, Worcester firefighters responded for a fire in an apartment building with people reported to be trapped. Crews found heavy fire conditions on the second floor. High winds and hoarding conditions made firefighting operations more difficult.
At approximately 20 minutes into the incident, Lieutenant Menard was operating on the third floor with his driver. They found themselves surrounded by fire and needing a hoseline. He transmitted a Mayday message and relayed the need for a hose. As they tried to locate stairs and were not successful, Menard pushed the firefighter out a window, removing him from danger. The lieutenant then retreated to a storage closet in an effort to seek refuge from the fire.
- Firefighter Basics: Calling the Mayday
- Training Minutes: Calling the Mayday
- The IC’s Guide to a Mayday Response
Rescue attempts to get to the lieutenant “were hindered by wind gusts, hoarding conditions within the building, hole in the floor, a burned-through hoseline, and large volumes of fire” (From page 10 of the board of inquiry report). He was removed 47 minutes after his Mayday call. To read more about this incident, please review the following reports:
Skill/drill
This month’s skill/drill is to practice calling a Mayday. This skill needs to be routinely trained on so that it becomes muscle memory. Along with practicing the radio report, discuss when to call a Mayday. Retired FDNY Lieutenant Mike Ciampo suggests the acronym I-O-U-My-Life to remember when to call a Mayday.
Survival Options for the Down Firefighter
Here is the breakdown:
I (Imminent collapse). Any time a member recognizes the building is coming down. This situation warrants an emergency message. If possible, the member issuing the warning should advise of the area of danger.
O (Collapse occurred). This message is for the collapse of a portion of the building, not of a firefighter or person. Again, when transmitting the Mayday, give a location.
U (Unconscious or serious life-threatening injury). If you or a member is seriously injured and need immediate assistance, transmit a Mayday. Include in your message the location, extent of injury, and any assistance required.
My (Missing member). If you lose contact with a team member, a Mayday should be issued. Provide as much of the L-U-N-A-R information as possible. This info will help the rapid intervention team.
Life (Lost or trapped member). If you are cutoff from your exit or cannot locate a way out, provide as much information as possible.
These five situations are life threatening for firefighters and help is needed. A Mayday will alert others on the fireground of the extreme emergency. There may be more firefighter emergency situations than these five, and any member who feels they need help should call a Mayday. Until next month, get the radio out and practice your Mayday message. See the attached skill sheets (PDF) for training suggestions.
Tony Carroll is deputy chief of operations with the Louisa County (VA) Fire & EMS Department.
