Operating in chaos: Managing the stresses of a mayday on the fireground
Operating in chaos: Managing the stresses of a mayday on the fireground
Location: Middlesex County Fire Acdemy
Friday, March 20, 2026 and Saturday, March 21, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 15:30 p.m.
DFS Credit: 1.0 Instructor (Technical)
Instructors:
Bob Disbrow, IAAI-CFI, Fire Captain/Investigator (Ret.)
Robert Seeburger, Battalion Chief Special Operations Command (Ret.)
Brendan Rhodes: Chief Middlesex County US&R/Chairman UASI Metro Strike Team /Task Force Leader / FEMA NJTF-1
* Students must attend both days to receive credit
** Please note when registering for this course you must select one of the roles listed below in which you will be participating in for Day Two’s HOT (Hands on Training).
Refer to the requirements needed to ensure you are prepared.
1. Hands on participant (company level officer/firefighter)
2. Mayday Incident Commander
3. Dispatcher
4. EMS
Certification Requirements: Firefighter 1 for all firefighters.
Firefighter 1 and Incident Management Level 1 (minimum) for all officers.
Course Description:
Day 1: Friday, March 20, 2026; Firefighter Safety & Survival
Day One’s seminar will consist of strategies and tactics to keep our members safe during emergency operations. We will discuss multiple case studies on Mayday incidents both successful and unsuccessful.
Course Description:
Day 2: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Mayday / FF Rescue HANDS ON TRAINING
The class is designed for Chief Officers, Company Officers, Firefighters, Dispatcher and EMS personnel.
Day 2 will take place at the Middlesex County Fire Academy and consist of multiple scenarios based on recent Maydays in the fire service. Maydays are dynamic events that occur regularly in the fire service. The HOT portion is designed for all ranks.
Members will work on dealing with the stresses of a Mayday at the company level to the IC.
Chief Officers will be placed in command positions to manage not only fire ground operations but mayday operations. The IC will be given the tools to successfully manage the fireground. Fireground Command and Control skills will be discussed.
Tactical worksheets and communications plans will be provided. PPE/SCBA is not required for chief officers but is recommended. ALL MEMBERS OPERATING OUTSIDE OF THE IDLH ARE REQUIRED to wear helmets and eye protection.
Company officers and firefighters will operate on the fire ground in real-world situations. Companies will perform engine, ladder, and RIT company tasks. The companies will practice the skills required to correctly announce a Mayday at an incident. The RIT teams will be deployed to locate, package, and remove a downed member. The company-level participants are required to have PPE/SCBA to operate within the IDLH. The scenarios will be as close to the real world as possible, including assistance from dispatch.
Trained dispatchers will be available to provide the necessary tools, including portable radios, frequencies, evacuation signals, and TIM.
Emergency Medical Personnel will operate outside of the IDLH to assist with Triage, Treatment, and Transport of rescued Firefighters. EMS personnel will be assigned to the EMS branch and will work to assist the IC with any medical emergency needs. Proper PPE is needed to participate. *PLEASE NOTE: No New Jersey EMS CEUs will be available for this course.