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The Importance of Understanding and Training on the Portable 

Radio Emergency Alert Button (EAB) during a Mayday.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

(NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention 

Program (FFFIPP) recommends fire departments and 

municipalities ensure all firefighters and dispatchers:

 Understand what the EAB is and how it functions when 

activated

 Know the specific EAB functions present on their

portable radio and their communication system 

capabilities

 Know that the EAB prioritizes transmissions for the

portable radio when activated 

 Are proficient in Mayday standard operating

procedures, guidelines, and training that involve the 

EAB function

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS on page 2

FFFIPP INVESTIGATION 

On August 11, 2021, a captain responded to a fire in a large residential structure in Maryland. While 

extinguishing the fire, he fell through the first floor into the basement. The captain initially survived and 

transmitted numerous times on his portable radio. A review of radio rejection logs from the captain’s portable

radio indicated his transmissions were rejected 17 times by other transmissions on the fire ground. He did 

not activate his EAB button on his portable radio prior to calling his Mayday, nor was he prompted to do so by 

command or dispatch. Crews worked to rescue the captain from the first floor and basement level. The rapid 

intervention team located and removed the captain from the basement; however, he had exhausted his 

breathing air and was unconscious. The captain was in cardiac arrest when he was removed and received 

advanced life support measures at the scene. He was flown to a hospital trauma center where he was 

pronounced dead.

EAB (orange buttons) on a radio and remote speaker

microphone. Photo by Chief Barakey, Suffolk VA Fire & 

Rescue.
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 The Importance of Understanding and Training on the Portable Radio 

Emergency Alert Button (EAB) during a Mayday

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What are your communications center system features and portable radio EAB capabilities? 

Ensure that when your EAB is activated, your radio’s ability to transmit over others is prioritized in the radio 

system and the user will receive highest transmitting priority over other users. Training with your 

communications division will also help firefighters understand their specific communications system features 

and portable radio EAB capabilities. Radios operating on a trunked radio system will receive priority access 

when the EAB is activated as a system design feature. Radios operating on a conventional or simplex channel 

may only receive priority access if the other users on the channel recognize the EAB activation and maintain 

strict radio discipline.

How is the EAB activated? 

The EAB is activated by pressing either button for at least 1 second but no more than 3 seconds. Once 

activated, information is transmitted in priority mode until the EAB is reset.

What can fire departments do to ensure firefighters understand the proper use of the EAB and how it interacts 

with the communications center? 

Fire departments should conduct routine training in full personal protective equipment, so all users are

proficient with their radios and Mayday procedures. Departments should partner with their communications 

center when conducting training to understand each other’s role during a Mayday.

Can a portable radio’s EAB be activated remotely in the event a firefighter cannot activate their EAB? 

Some communication centers may be able to remotely activate an EAB from the dispatch console or from a 

command center/post in the event a firefighter cannot reach or activate their EAB. Firefighters and 

communication centers should understand this capability and use it as needed.

Did you know that your portable radio may have additional features? 

Certain radios can be remotely “pinged” to emit a sound that may provide a general location of a trapped 

firefighter. Some EAB options include a hot mic feature that provides open mic for a pre-programed amount of 

time and a trapped firefighter could speak without using their hands. Certain radios may also be able to emit 

an audible sound (similar to PASS device) to assist in locating a trapped or lost firefighter. 

Where can fire departments find information on the features of portable radios and communications center 

systems? 

The manufacturer’s instruction manual provides information on the specific capabilities of the system. NFPA 

1802, 2021 edition, includes information on portable radios. NFPA 1225, Standard for Emergency Services 

Communications, 2022 edition, includes information on radio system features.

Find NIOSH products and get answers to workplace 

safety and health questions:

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) | TTY: 1-888-232-6348

CDC/NIOSH INFO: cdc.gov/cdc-info | cdc.gov/niosh

FFFIPP: cdc.gov/niosh/fire/

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2023-100 | October 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2023100

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