Fire Mutual Aid

On February 7th at 15:47hrs, Dispatch began receiving calls for a 2 car mva Rt 12 in front of Welen Eng with entrapment.

First arriving units found 2 cars with heavy damage and entrapment with a total of 3 patients ,2 critical and 1 DOA. At that time Command(Chief Stoddard) requested jaws from Springfield and Bellows Falls Fire Departments and both DHART helicopters.With all hands committed an engine out of North Walpole was requested to assit with the landing zone.

Dispatched has been advised that the driver of the other vehicle died a few days later.

Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid System
Standard Operating Guideline

Subject: Mayday —Rescue of Lost/Distressed Firefighter

Purpose: To identify the procedures for the Communication Specialist to
implement in the declaration of a MAYDAY incident, a report
trapped or lost firefighters.

Scope: The rescue of trapped or lost firefighters in a burning or
collapsed building is especially time sensitive. There is a
very narrow window of survivability for a firefighter who is
out of SCBA air supply and trapped by approaching fire or
heavy structural members. Additionally, it is extraordinarily
difficult to control the well intentioned actions of would be
rescuers. However, the risks and disadvantages associated
with not controlling the fire ground activity effectively during
this time cannot only hinder the operation; it may actually
contribute to firefighter fatalities. Therefore it is vital for dispatch to work as a team with Command to take appropriate actions and make concise decision to increase survivability. This policy is designed to prepare all personnel on what actions to take in case a MAYDAY is declared while they are on duty.

Policy:
1. Declaring a MAYDAY:

1.1 The radio message “MAYDAY” will be used by lost or trapped firefighters to report their status as being in trouble and needing rescue. This message will be transmitted from the distressed firefighter on the tactical channel to Command. Command will notify Dispatch on the dispatch frequency.

1.2 If the distressed emergency responder cannot communicate verbally, the portable radio Emergency button shall be activated.

1.3 By the company officer, group or division officer, or other member who cannot account for an assigned firefighter who is operating in the hazard zone. This “MAYDAY” would generally occur following a PAR that fails to locate/account for the suspected lost member. PAR stands for Personnel Accountability Roll, a procedure used in conjunction with the incident organization chart and the Personnel Accountability System to verify the accountability of all personnel on the scene of an incident.

1.4 By a member who witnesses or has confirmed that a firefighter is lost or in trouble.

2. Communication Specialist Responsibilities:

2.1 Command will advise that a “MAYDAY” has been declared and provide a brief progress report.

2.2 Dispatch will put an alert tone (#2 on console) out on tactical frequency (if possible) and advise all personnel a “MAYDAY” has been declared and only radio traffic pertinent to the incident will be permitted. The alert will also be broadcast over the dispatch frequency to advise personnel. Assigned an additional tactical frequency for all other radio traffic not related to the MAYDAY incident.

2.3 A communication Specialist will be assigned to monitor the tactical channel of the MAYDAY Event. If frequency is no in console use the Astro Radio in the center of console.

2.4 Immediately notify Command of radio emergency button activation and treat as a MAYDAY event until proven otherwise. Provide all pertinent information known about the unit I.D.

2.5 If the firefighter comes up on an unassigned channel, Command shall be advised and Dispatch shall remain with the firefighter on that channel. Never Ask the Firefighter to Change Channels.

2.6 Immediately dispatch the Next Greater Alarm Assignment including an extra ALS unit and RIT unit. RIT stands for Rapid Intervention Team.

2.7 Notify units when MAYDAY event has been concluded by Command.

Southwestern New Hampshire District Fire Mutual Aid System
Director’s Report

December 12, 2006 Keene Central Station

The monthly meeting of the organization was called to order by President manning at 1905 hrs. Directors Manning, Eaton, Liller, Goddard, Howard, Diluzio and Chief Szoc were present. Communication Supervisor Tirrell and Radio Tech. Goodnow were also in attendance. Directors Stoughton, Redin, Zerba, Daley, Lake, Boynton and Hewitt called to advise they would be unable to attend tonight’s meeting.

Minutes of 11/8/06 meeting: M/S/P
Treasurer’s Reports: M/S/P
Coordinator’s Report: Presented by Chief Szoc

Committee Reports:
New Location Committee: Chairman Tirrell gave a presentation on the activities of the committee including a field trip to Lakes Region and Capital Area to view their recently upgraded communication centers. The committee has also reviewed different options on the space requirements for a future center. A proposed layout should be available for the February BOD Meeting.

Capital Improvement Plan: No Report

By-Laws Committee: No report

Regional Training Committee: The next training will be the Gordon Graham Seminar scheduled for January 7, 2007 at 1300 hrs. at the Keene Country Club.

Public Relations Committee: No Report

Old Business:

2007 Budget/Assessment Letter: Chief Szoc advised that letters went out to all members describing the 2007 budget and the 2007 assessments.

Radio Designation Implementation: Director Goddard advised the committee did meet and discussed the private ambulance designations. A recommendation was approved and Director Goddard and Chief Szoc will meet with Rescue Inc. on the committee’s recommendation.

2006 Fire Act. Grant: Chief Szoc was sorry to advise that we received word today that although our grant was worthwhile we were being denied because of lack of funding.

2006 NH Homeland Security Competitive Grant: Chief Szoc advised that the review process on the applications has begun and they hope to make the awards sometime after the 1st of the year.

New Phone System: Chief Szoc advised that we have had a walk-thru with the company and the project is expected to begin the middle of January.

Regional Specialized Teams: Chief Szoc advised that several groups are looking at having specialized regional teams in the future. One group has had Atty. Prigge attend one of the meetings to look at the legal aspects of the proposals. Further discussion and information should be coming in 2007.

Trumpet: The Trumpet has been published and sent out to all members.

New Business:

Web Page: Supervisor Tirrell advised the Web Page has been done over with a new design and format. This new format will allow them to update the information quicker and easier.

Mt. Sunapee Test Site: Chief Szoc advised the test site has been in service for about a month and proves to be a worthwhile addition. Proper license and application forms will be completed to make this a permanent site.

Christmas Certificates: M/S/P to provide staff with Christmas Certificates as in the past.

Deputy Coordinator’s Position: Chief Szoc advised that Mrs. Callahan gave him a book with some of the past minutes of the BOD Meetings. An interesting fact in reading them was that a Deputy Coordinator Position was approved in June of 1987 something many people were not aware of including himself.

1945 hrs. Director Diluzio had to leave the meeting.

Correspondence: Chief Szoc read thank you notes from Chesterfield Fire for the donation and acts of sympathy in the passing of Chief Perham, Dublin Christian Academy for the use of the Fire Safety Trailer and Hinsdale Fire for the use of the Fire Safety Trailer, a donation was also accepted from Hinsdale Fire for the trailer.

Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 2010 hrs.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Szoc, Clerk

On Jan 15,2007, at 1300hrs The Charlestown Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle accident RT12 in the area of the transfer station. Upon arriving untis they found a Ford Explorer that struck a flat bed wrecker head on with heavy intrapment. At this time The Springfield Fire Department was dispatched for their jaws.

Due to the patient’s injuries DHART Helicopter was requested but due to the weather they were unavailable. The patient was transported by The Charlestown Ambulance.