Mayday question

E82T31B27 · Oct 5, 2026

What would be verbally issued for a radio mayday for a backdraft or flashover sound like if such scenarios occurred?

GFD70 · Oct 5, 2026

Mayday vs. Urgent Radio Guidelines

Mike Terpak explains why these two types of transmissions must have a clear definition and association and a clear and easily recognizable set of parameters.

www.firehouse.com

Excellent summary by Chief Terpak from Jersey City. Not sure if the FDNY has their own policies.

If a member is caught in either of those conditions, it should be transmitted as a mayday. If they are simply broadcasting those conditions, it should be an urgent transmission.

E82T31B27 · Oct 5, 2026

GFD70 said:
Mayday vs. Urgent Radio Guidelines

Mike Terpak explains why these two types of transmissions must have a clear definition and association and a clear and easily recognizable set of parameters.

www.firehouse.com

Excellent summary by Chief Terpak from Jersey City. Not sure if the FDNY has their own policies.

If a member is caught in either of those conditions, it should be transmitted as a mayday. If they are simply broadcasting those conditions, it should be an urgent transmission.

I tried to get to that but it became a 404. Thank you though!

JohnnyGage · Oct 6, 2026

The Mayday transmission is an indication that a life threatening situation has developed. This term is used **only** in the following situations:

1. Imminent collapse feared
2. Structural collapse has Occurred
3. A firefighter is Unconscious or suffers a life threatening injury
4. An officer becomes aware that a member under his/her supervision is Missing. (If the missing member is an officer, any team member can transmit this message.)
5. Member becomes trapped or Lost
(Memory jogger: “I owe u my life” I- Imminent collapse O-occurred collapse U-unconscious or life threatening injury M-missing member L-lost or trapped member.)

An URGENT transmission is used to indicate that a member has suffered a serious injury that is not immediately life threatening, or to inform members of a serious change in conditions. The term urgent may be used in the following situations.

1. When a member suffers from an Injury that is not immediately life threatening but which requires medical attention and hospital care.
2. Loss of Water, which would endanger members.
3. An Interior attack is to be discontinued and an exterior attack instituted.
4. Discovery of a structural problem indicating the danger/Fear of collapse.
5. Fire is discovered entering an exposure to a degree that any delay may considerably enlarge the fire problem.

In FDNY, most likely a flashover or back draft would be an urgent message. I know I would certainly not use a Mayday for a flashover or backdraft unless of course firefighters are trapped, then that becomes a totally different animal.

captaindewey50267021@gm · Oct 10, 2026

What is said above is right on point. Add to the above TWO additional situations. AND A CATCH ALL
1. ANY LIFE TREATENING SITUATION TO A FIREFIGHTEER/S
2. ANYTIME A FIREFIGHTER IS ABOUT TO DO ANY STYLE OF BAILOUT it is a MAYDAY!
Any URGENT Transmission the BECOMES LIFE THEATENING to a FIREIGHTER/S IS NOW IN FACT A MAYDAY!
That includes Flashovers or Back Drafts that are Life Threating to a Firefighter/s.
Many Fire Departments outside of NYC have a FAST/RIT Truck Company AND R.I.C.E. =Rapid Intervention Company Engine PLUS A FAST/RIT Chief respond on working fires AS WELL as a Dedicated to Firefighters ONLY Advanced Life Support and/ Or Rescue Medic Unit.
This includes I believe Chicago, Boston San Francisco and L.A. F.D.s and more.
I have taught F.A.S.T. Tactics and Procedures and try to keep up on the latest thinking.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired

E82T31B27 · Oct 11, 2026

JohnnyGage said:
The Mayday transmission is an indication that a life threatening situation has developed. This term is used **only** in the following situations:

1. Imminent collapse feared

2. Structural collapse has Occurred

3. A firefighter is Unconscious or suffers a life threatening injury

4. An officer becomes aware that a member under his/her supervision is Missing. (If the missing member is an officer, any team member can transmit this message.)

5. Member becomes trapped or Lost

(Memory jogger: “I owe u my life” I- Imminent collapse O-occurred collapse U-unconscious or life threatening injury M-missing member L-lost or trapped member.)

An URGENT transmission is used to indicate that a member has suffered a serious injury that is not immediately life threatening, or to inform members of a serious change in conditions. The term urgent may be used in the following situations.

1. When a member suffers from an Injury that is not immediately life threatening but which requires medical attention and hospital care.

2. Loss of Water, which would endanger members.

3. An Interior attack is to be discontinued and an exterior attack instituted.

4. Discovery of a structural problem indicating the danger/Fear of collapse.

5. Fire is discovered entering an exposure to a degree that any delay may considerably enlarge the fire problem.

In FDNY, most likely a flashover or back draft would be an urgent message. I know I would certainly not use a Mayday for a flashover or backdraft unless of course firefighters are trapped, then that becomes a totally different animal.

What would the transcript be like when it’s issued for example

ZombieFire · Oct 11, 2026

E82T31B27 said:
What would the transcript be like when it’s issued for example

Fore this example I'm going to use a collapse in the rear. How it is said may differ from department to department. "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Engine 1 to Command, We have a collapse of the C Side Wall!"

captaindewey50267021@gm · Wednesday at 12:51 PM

One difference is that FDNY does not use "A, B, C, D," as designations for sides or Exposures of the fire building. FDNY uses Numbers, the front of the building or the location of the command post if incident is not in a building as Exposure 1, Exposure 2 is to the left of the front of the building,
Exposure 3 is the rear of the building; Exposure 4 is to the Right of the front of the building. Also, FDNY wants the Mayday message to include more information. Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! we have had a major collapse brick wall on the Exposure 4 side of the building, possible members trapped, a Roll Call is under way. Remember Maydays! are used in situations where the lives of firefighters are in jeopardy = life threatening.
If the I.C. knows all members were well clear of the fire building and out of the collapse zone, and no firefighter are injured with life threatening injures, the I.C. or whom ever is giving the information my use Urgent! In truly non-life-threatening situations. This is a judgement call.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.

E82T31B27 · 2026-10-17T21:57:15-0400

captaindewey50267021@gm said:
One difference is that FDNY does not use "A, B, C, D," as designations for sides or Exposures of the fire building. FDNY uses Numbers, the front of the building or the location of the command post if incident is not in a building as Exposure 1, Exposure 2 is to the left of the front of the building,
Exposure 3 is the rear of the building; Exposure 4 is to the Right of the front of the building. Also, FDNY wants the Mayday message to include more information. Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! we have had a major collapse brick wall on the Exposure 4 side of the building, possible members trapped, a Roll Call is under way. Remember Maydays! are used in situations where the lives of firefighters are in jeopardy = life threatening.
If the I.C. knows all members were well clear of the fire building and out of the collapse zone, and no firefighter are injured with life threatening injures, the I.C. or whom ever is giving the information my use Urgent! In truly non-life-threatening situations. This is a judgement call.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.

Thank you, Sir!