Last year, the Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council formed a task force
to identify and define standard emergency terminology and audible signaling.
The task force was directed to make suggestions which could be adopted statewide
to create common terms for critical events that could occur during emergency incidents.
The Mayday Task Force was made-up of fire-rescue professionals from across the state.
The Mayday Task Force included chief officers, fire instructors USAR team members,
haz-mat team members, and DPSST staff. The Mayday Task Force Report was adopted by the
Governor’s Fire Service Policy Committee this year.
Emergency and Audible Signaling /Terminology
- Abandon
- The term "abandon" is used to direct companies or crews operating in the hazard zone to immediately exit via escape routes to a safe place. Companies or crews abandoning the hazard zone will take only the tools, equipment, and hose lines necessary to permit their emergency egress.
Signal:
All apparatus operators close to the hazard zone will sound their air horn with one long continuous blast lasting for approximately ten (10) seconds.
- Code Zero
- A law enforcement term used to request all available officers to respond code 3 to an incident. To be used only when unable to transmit clear text and someone's life is in imminent danger.
- Emergency Traffic
- The phrase "Emergency Traffic" is used in radio communications to indicate a critical, life safety related message. "Emergency traffic" communications have priority over all other radio communications with the exception of a Mayday message.
- Evacuate
- The term "Evacuate" will be limited to removal of civilians who are exposed, or are potentially exposed to hazards presented by the incident.
- Mayday
- "Mayday-Mayday-Mayday" is the signal phrase used in radio communications to indicate a missing, trapped, or injured firefighter in need of immediate assistance. Mayday messages have absolute priority over all other radio communications.
- Withdraw
- The term "Withdraw" is used to order the controlled tactical movement from current operating positions, to a safer location. Personnel withdrawing from an operating position will remove tools, equipment and hose lines.
- PAR
- Personnel Accountability Report - a report designed to provide the IC with information concerning the identity of individual members of a company or team and their assignments and to account for the assignment of companies.
- Cease Operation - All Quiet:
- Order given by the Incident Commander. Typically used during Search and Rescue Operations when listening for PASS devises or when listening equipment is being used by Technical Search and Rescue crews. This order may be preceded by "Emergency Traffic."
Adopted by Oregon Governors Fire Service Policy Council - 2006
