Which radio traffic priority category does a MAYDAY fall under?

A MAYDAY situation represents an imminent threat to life or safety, typically indicating that a firefighter is lost, trapped, injured, or in distress. Because of the seriousness of these circumstances, a MAYDAY call is treated with the utmost urgency. This ensures that all available resources can be deployed quickly to assist the individual in distress.

The highest priority designation for a MAYDAY signal is critical as it allows for immediate recognition and response from Incident Command and other responding units. This level of urgency is essential to maximize the chances of a successful rescue and to mitigate further risks to personnel and civilians. The prompt response associated with the highest priority helps streamline operations and directs resources where they are most needed. In contrast, other priority levels, such as low, medium, or standard priority, do not convey the same level of danger or immediacy, thereby underscoring the exceptional nature of a MAYDAY in emergency communication protocols.