Command: MAYDAY

Command: MAYDAY

Purpose Statement

  1. The Mayday feature provides critical emergency functionality within the command module, enabling incident commanders to immediately identify, track, and manage personnel in distress situations. This specialized system creates distinct operational protocols, visual indicators, and management tools specifically designed to prioritize firefighter safety and coordinate rescue operations while maintaining overall incident command structure.

Background Information

  1. Mayday situations represent the highest priority emergency within fireground operations, requiring immediate command attention and specialized response protocols. The Mayday feature transforms the command board interface to prioritize distressed personnel while maintaining operational capability for ongoing incident management. The system creates dedicated tracking areas, specialized checklists, and restricted editing capabilities to ensure Mayday situations receive appropriate focus and documentation. All Mayday activities are comprehensively logged for post-incident analysis and accountability.

Required Permissions

Users must have the appropriate level of the Incident Commands permission configured in their role:

  • Read: View command boards in read-only mode
  • Update: Modify command board settings and information
  • Create: Initiate new command boards and add custom items
  • Delete: Remove command board elements and complete incidents

Additional permissions may be required for specific functions like messaging and roster access based on integrated modules.

Video 


Step by Step Guide

1. The MAYDAY feature is activated by pressing the MAYDAY button:






2. When MAYDAY is activated, a popup window will appear displaying:
2A.   Search option to find a specific Unit.
2B.   All the Units (assigned and unassigned) that are attached to the Incident Command Board. Units selected for the MAYDAY will turn RED.
2C.   A Field to enter a log entry for the initiation of the MAYDAY.
2D.  MAYDAY button to confirm the start of the MAYDAY or Cancel button to abort.






3. After MAYDAY activation, several changes will occur to the Command Board:
3A.   A MAYDAY Checklist will appear next to the MAYDAY button. 
3B.   A MAYDAY Assignment will be automatically created and added to the assignments list in the first position.
3C.   Units selected for the MAYDAY will turn red and will be unable to edited or moved.
3D.  Each selected MAYDAY Unit will also appear in the MAYDAY Section on the right side of the Command Board.






4. Menu features for the MAYDAY units and the Assignments also are affected:
4A.  Each selected MAYDAY Unit no longer has any menu options available, and cannot be moved to another assignment, or to the Unassigned Units. 
4B.  Any assignment that has a MAYDAY Unit assigned to it can no longer be Edited, Deleted or marked Complete













5. The MAYDAY Checklist can be configured within Command Setup and is automatically generated on MAYDAY Activation with the following features:
5A.  Displays the number of Items to be completed
5B.  Ability to add additional MAYDAY Checklist items
5C.  Ability to complete individual items or all items at once (Complete All)
5D.  Edit Items with the pencil icon
5E.  Delete Items with the trash can icon






7. Units in the MAYDAY Section have a new menu available:
  1. At Crew (Time Stamp Only).
  2. Self Rescued (Time Stamp Only).
  3. Rescued (Time Stamp Only).
  4. Transported (Time Stamp Only).
  5. No Issue (Removes Unit from the MAYDAY Section and places Unit in the Unassigned Units).
  6. Remove  (Removes Unit from the MAYDAY Section and places Unit in the Unassigned Units).
  7. Log Entry.







8.  MAYDAY operations can only conclude in one of two ways within the Command Module:
  1. Complete.
     or
  2. Canceled.







9. When MAYDAY operations are marked as Complete or Cancelled, and confirmed by selecting yes in the popup window, several actions will occur before the Command Board returns to normal operations:
9A.  A pop-up confirmation will appear. Either MAYDAY Completed or MAYDAY cancelled.
9B.  The Mayday Button will return to MAYDAY and the MAYDAY Checklist will disappear.
9C.  Any units within the MAYDAY Assignment and the MAYDAY Area will be returned to the Unassigned Units area.
9D.  The MAYDAY Assignment will be marked complete denoted by a large green checkmark.
9E.  The MAYDAY section is removed from the Command Board.



Best Practices

Do:

  • Activate Mayday immediately when personnel accountability is lost
  • Use specific status updates to track Mayday unit conditions
  • Assign additional resources to Mayday assignment for rescue operations
  • Complete Mayday checklist items systematically
  • Document all Mayday activities thoroughly in log entries
  • Resolve Mayday situations promptly once personnel are accounted for

Don't:

  • Delay Mayday activation if personnel safety is in question
  • Attempt to move or edit Mayday units during active operations
  • Cancel Mayday situations without confirming personnel safety
  • Use Mayday feature for non-emergency accountability issues
  • Ignore Mayday checklist requirements during operations

Tips:

  • Pre-configure Mayday checklists in Command Setup before incidents
  • Train all command personnel on department specific Mayday procedures during exercises
  • Use status updates to maintain accountability without removing units
  • Coordinate Mayday operations with safety officers and rescue teams
  • Review all Mayday logs during post-incident analysis

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: I can't move a unit that's highlighted in red. Is this normal?
A: Yes, Mayday units are locked in their last known assignment and cannot be moved until the Mayday is resolved.

Q: Can I still assign other units to assignments that have Mayday units?
A: Yes, you can add additional units to assignments containing Mayday units, but you cannot edit the assignment itself.

Q: What's the difference between "At Crew" and "Remove" status options?
A: "At Crew" updates status but keeps the unit in Mayday section. "Remove" takes the unit out of Mayday and returns it to unassigned units.

Q: How do I know if the Mayday checklist is complete?
A: The Mayday checklist functions like regular checklists with completion indicators and counters.

Q: Can I have multiple Mayday situations active simultaneously?
 A: Yes, multiple units can be in Mayday status at the same time, all managed through the Mayday section.

Q: What happens if I accidentally cancel a Mayday?
A: Canceled Maydays are logged in the system. If personnel are still unaccounted for, reactivate the Mayday immediately.

Q: Do Mayday operations affect PAR checks?
 A: Mayday units have special status and may require different accountability procedures than standard PAR checks.


    • Related Articles

    • Command Setup: MAYDAY Checklist

      Purpose Statement The Mayday checklist feature in First Due provides incident commanders with a critical safety tool that automatically populates when the Mayday feature is activated during emergencies. This specialized checklist ensures systematic ...

    • Command: Units

      Purpose Statement The units management system within the command module provides comprehensive control over all emergency response resources assigned to an incident. This feature enables incident commanders to track, organize, and deploy units ...

    • Command: Notes

      Purpose Statement The notes feature in the command module allows incident commanders and operators to create, manage, and track important information throughout an incident enabling organized documentation and communication of critical incident ...

    • Command: Messaging

      Purpose Statement The messaging feature in the command module enables incident commanders and authorized personnel to send communications to users within the First Due system during emergency operations. This integrated messaging system supports ...

    • Command: Assignments

      Purpose Statement The assignments feature in the command module enables incident commanders to organize tactical operations into specific groups or tasks, providing structured resource deployment and progress tracking throughout emergency response ...