Signal 42

[Bull66]

Have any departments actually transmitted this signal since its inception about 2 years ago???

And does anyone know the parameters for the use of it...?

[tellmware2go]

First you have to define exactly what an MCI is. You could probably ask 20 different experts what an MCI is and you probably get 20 different interpretations. There's probably only a handful of departments that actually incorporated the signal into their procedures. I think, just like most signals ex: signals 28, 29, 35, 36, and 37 most of the time, the signals aren't used, just plain language.

[mfddispatcher30]

ITS A SIGNAL HERE AND I KNOW WE USED IT ON AT LEAST 2 ACCIDENTS...

[mfd333]

personally in reference to an mci and what it is i feel that it is anything above and beyond what your department can handle if you have 4 buses but it is a day time call and u can only man 2 so u mutual aid 2 other departments that could very well be an mci i feel if you have tapped all personal resources and must go outside the department to help with the incident it is an "mci" granted you lose 1 bus right at the start as your command post/triage bus

[tl254truckie]

i know i haven't heard too many...maybe even any 42's transmitted...i think that may be due to all of the things that puts into play...sometimes the resources it calls for aren't really needed....as for criteria i believe NYS categorizes a single incident of more than 4 or 5 patients an MCI per the EMT protocols...but as was said above most people just use plain language for things like that

[grumpydispatcher]

It's basically just another useless signal that was put in effect. Chiefs don't want to transmit signal 10's for fires for one reason or another. Why would they want to transmit (if they actually even remember) signal 42?? Plain english is just the best way to go.

[mfd39dispatcher]

this signal was made up by somebody sitting in an office behind a desk with nothing better to do. Just say we have multiple aided , its clear and to the point and it will leave less people scratching the heads wondering what the hell is a Sig 42

[mfd333]

agreed i think that it is much easier multiple aided and then you take care of business

[mfddispatcher30]

Grumpys got a point....

[jrsl2362]

yes once again plain english is the best way to go, it gets the message across, and clearly.

If i recall i only heard it transmitted once and that was when the signal was brand new, I do not remember what department it was.

[tellmware2go]

Franklin Square transmitted it when it first became a signal and has it in their procedures.

JRS, you want plain English, well in plain English zero is a number and "O" is a letter. You can start with your J O B teaching them exactly how plain English language works. "O" BOIY!

[jrsl2362]

cant change how my J O B does it, it rubs off on ya after a while, sorry...O

[Firebird40622]

We just had an MCI drill not too long ago and in my town it is said to be an incident involving more than () people, cant remember the number. It's probably 4 or more. It calls for the same manpower as a general alarm. On mva's its just a single engine goes but if its MCI the whole dept. responds plus mutual aid buses.

[tillerman]

Well youngster you are almost right in the response policy for mva's. The district engine goes with resuce and the "floodlight/heavy rescue unit" there is no general alarm for an mci. However it goes out on general tones.