The U.S. Fire Administration has announced the National Fire Academy will deliver a free Web-cast class titled "Firefighter Safety: Calling the Mayday" next week.

The Web-based training broadcast will be Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

"This on-line course regarding the call for a Mayday contributes greatly to our nation's efforts to reduce the loss of firefighters' lives," said U. S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. "This effort represents our continued commitment to maximize all available training delivery methods for the fire service. With our 2000 students per day average in our distance learning programs of the USFA, this learning tool developed by Firehouse.com continues to expand the reach of all programs designed to support firefighters, and ensure Everyone Goes Home."

Dr. Burton A. Clark, EFO, CFO, and a Training Specialist at the USFA and Chair of the Management Science Program at the NFA, will conduct the on-line course. Dr. Clark has been researching, writing and lecturing throughout the nation on Mayday Doctrine for more than four years. This course will be of interest to all fire service levels, from firefighter to command officer to others who enter an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) environment and are faced with calling a Mayday for themselves.

Students who complete the pre-course reading assignment, participate in the on-line delivery, and pass the on-line exam will receive a NFA Certificate.

The Webcast is in partnership with Firehouse.com Training Live. Go to www.firehouse.com/clark to sign up for this free course offering.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

1. Define Mayday

2. Identify the reasons for failure or delay to call Mayday

3. Identify the Mayday decision-making parameters

4. Identify the process for calling a Mayday

5. Identify Mayday training and drill needs/methods for the fire service

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.