What should be done immediately in the event of a mayday call?

In the event of a mayday call, the immediate response should be to activate the emergency response plan, assess the situation, and deploy the Rapid Intervention Team. The mayday call indicates that a firefighter is in distress and requires immediate assistance. Therefore, prioritizing the safety of the individual in trouble is crucial.

Activating the emergency response plan ensures that all personnel are aware of the situation and that a coordinated effort is initiated. This plan typically includes specific protocols for handling emergencies, such as deploying a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) that is specially trained to quickly respond to downed or trapped firefighters. The RIT is equipped and prepared to perform rescue operations, which is vital in such situations.

Assessing the situation is also essential; it allows incident commanders and personnel to understand the conditions on the ground and make informed decisions about the safest and most effective response. This step involves gathering information about the location and status of the distressed firefighter and evaluating any potential hazards to the team.

In contrast, waiting for further instructions can cause delays that may worsen the situation, and evacuating all personnel could be unnecessary if the incident does not require it. Continuing operations without interruption would disregard the urgency of the mayday call and could result in increased risk to the distressed firefighter