BY KENNETH SCANDARIATO
The Norwich (CT) Fire Department (NFD) recently conducted its annual departmentwide Mayday training, which focused on the Mayday protocol, effecting a rescue with available resources, and identifying the additional demands on command in simultaneously managing the suppression and rescue efforts.
Studies have shown that firefighters who become trapped and disoriented represent the largest portion of structural fireground fatalities. The NFD has been aggressively preparing its personnel for these situations. Consistently, smoke, low visibility, lack of oxygen, structural instability, and an unpredictable fireground can instantly overwhelm even the most seasoned firefighter. Typically, because of short staffing, companies may overextend themselves to cover more ground in rescue operations, which can lead firefighters into trouble. In 2007 and 2008, the NFD had two Mayday situations with subsequent injuries. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to prepare our firefighters and command staff, adjust our protocol, and train our personnel to survive these situations.
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