Which action is part of a Mayday drill to improve readiness?

• A. Practice calling for help.
• B. Establish a rapid rescue plan.
• C. Review unrelated department policies.
• D. Document the drill results after the fact.

Answer: (B)

Mayday drills test how the team responds when a firefighter is in distress, with the focus on getting the trapped member out quickly and safely. Establishing a rapid rescue plan is the best fit because it creates a rehearsed sequence of actions, assigns clear roles (such as a rapid intervention crew), and defines how the team will locate, reach, and extract the downed member. This direct, practiced approach reduces hesitation and ensures everyone knows what to do the moment a mayday is declared, which is exactly what readiness is about.

Practicing calling for help is important, but the drill’s emphasis is on the plan that gets the person out fast. Reviewing unrelated department policies doesn’t train the on-scene response, and documenting the drill results after the fact is about after-action review rather than the immediate readiness exercised during the drill.