Mayday Mayday Mayday

As a firefighter my biggest fear is dying in a burning building. We train how to breach walls and even jump out of windows to self rescue. So far 42 firefighters have died this year in the United States alone. Often a part of our training is to listen to the recordings of these events.

Recently I visited the dispatchers for the Edmonton Fire department. I never thought of what these dispatchers go through during these mayday events. In many communities these dispatchers are friends and family with the emergency workers they work with. They are the ones speaking with fallen police officers and firefighters during their last moments. They may not be on scene but managing communications during these events is crucial to a successful rescue.

This piece is for all the dispatchers who have managed a mayday event while at work. Thank you.

Stay safe brothers and sisters.

DanSun

Mayday