“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY!”
It’s a call that no one wants to hear on the radio, and one that no firefighter ever wants to make. Still, it’s a very real part of life in the fire service, and we must train on the procedure as much as we train on other fireground activities.
Following the tragic death of a fire captain in Frederick County, MD last year, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) has put together an important advisory regarding training on the Portable Radio Emergency Alert Button (EAB).
It’s not enough to know that the little red button is there. It’s extremely important to understand why it’s there, and what its job is. The EAB, when properly utilized, can help rapid intervention crews quickly gain the necessary information to rescue a trapped firefighter.
The IAFC is proud to support NIOSH’s efforts to improve firefighter safety. Please take a moment to read this important advisory.