Firefighter training drill by Forest Reeder
This could be the most important drill we hope you never have to use. The reality is that firefighters do get into trouble for many reasons on the fireground. In order to launch a successful rescue attempt, firefighters must provide critical information to the incident commander and RIT.
This drill is designed to help you identify the situations that would require a Mayday message and evaluate your skills in doing so. To facilitate this drill, distribute page 1 to each member participating in the drill and have them indicate reasons for a Mayday message. Page 2 may provide some sample situations for calling Mayday that can be used in the evaluation checklist on page 3.
Assign members to conduct the practical training and provide them with a Mayday situation from the previous steps. They should include their emergency situation in their situation report. As always, consult with local SOG for terminology and procedures for completing this training session.
Download this week’s firefighter training drill as a PDF HERE.
MAD Training and Response Solutions
Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1978 and retired as fire chief of the Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department in 2021. He has worked extensively in the areas of instruction, firefighter safety, and officer development and earned his Master of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration in 2004. He is the author of Fire Department Incident Safety Officer 4th edition (2025) and co-author of Fire Service Instructor Principles and Practices, now in its 3rd edition. Forest presents nationally on fire service leadership, safety, and instructor development. He was inducted into the Moraine Valley Community College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2020 and awarded the Distinguished Alumnus award in 2021. In 2008, he received the ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year, considered to be the highest recognition for fire service instructors in the nation.
