CVFD Training – Rescue Operations

CVFD Training – Rescue Operations SFFMA Training Objectives: 9-01.06

Primary Search Rapid but thorough search performed before or during fire suppression Often carried out under extremely adverse conditions Check known/likely locations of victims Confirm fire conditions Firefighter I

Secondary Search • Conducted after fire under control • Conducted by personnel other than primary search personnel • Slower, more thorough search to ensure no occupants overlooked during primary search Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • Standard search priorities • Use buddy system • Appropriate equipment • Radio • TIC • Flashlight • Forcible entry tools • Search rope (Continued) Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • Search may be conducted by • Walking upright • Crawling on hands/knees (Continued) Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • When searching • Move systematically • Search each room completely • Listen for sounds from victims • Start as close to fire as possible • Proceed as directly as possible from entry and pay out tagline (Continued) Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • When searching • Search bathrooms, bathtubs, etc. • Search perimeter of rooms • Extend arms/legs or use tool to reach under furniture • After perimeter searched, search middle of room (Continued) Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • Visibility • May be limited; use TIC • May be obscured by smoke; report to IC (Continued) Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • Making reports • Report essentials to supervisor/Command • Maintain radio contact with supervisor • Negative information also important • Inform IC of unsearched areas (Continued) Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • Search line system • Consists of 200 feet (60 m) of ⅜-inch (10 mm) rope with Kevlar™ sheath • Every 20 feet (6 m) along length, 2-inch (50 mm) steel ring tied into line (Continued) Courtesy of Jeff Seaton. Firefighter I

Primary Search Operations • Search line system • Rings also provide anchor point for lateral tethers • Implementing search line system • May become necessary to search areas perpendicular to search line • Navigator keeps Command informed of progress Courtesy of Jeff Seaton. Firefighter I

Secondary Search Operations • Assigned to personnel other than primary search personnel • Speed not as important as thoroughness • Conducted as systematically as primary search to ensure no spaces missed (Continued) Firefighter I

Secondary Search Operations • Conducted more slowly, carefully than primary search • Any negative information should be reported immediately Firefighter I

DISCUSSION QUESTION When is it safe to remove your SCBA during a secondary search? Firefighter I

Searching Multistory Buildings • Most critical areas are fire floor, floor directly above fire, and topmost floor • Once critical areas searched, intervening floors should be checked (Continued) Firefighter I

Searching Multistory Buildings • During primary search, unless a part of ventilation, doors to uninvolved rooms should be closed • Exits, hallways, stairs should be kept clear as possible Firefighter I

Search Methods • When rooms, offices, apartments extend from center hallway, search line system can be used (Continued) Firefighter I

Search Methods • If search line system cannot be used • Teams should be assigned to search both sides of hallway • Critically important to control access/egress • Entering first room, searchers turn right or left and follow walls around room (Continued) Firefighter I

Search Methods • If search line system cannot be used • As rescuers leave room, turn in same direction used to enter room • When removing victims to safety or exiting, rescuers must turn opposite direction used to enter • Important that rescuers exit through same doorway entered (Continued) Firefighter I

Search Methods • In some departments, small rooms are searched by using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) Firefighter I

If No TIC Available • One member stays at door while other searches • Searcher remains oriented by maintaining constant dialogue with member at door • Searcher keeps member at door informed of progress (Continued) Firefighter I

If No TIC Available • When search completed, two rejoin at doorway, close and mark door, proceed to next room • When searching next room, exchange roles Firefighter I

Marking Systems • Several methods used • Latch straps serve function of preventing other rescuers from being locked out of room • Departmental SOPs usually dictate accepted method (Continued) Firefighter I

Marking Systems • Marks should be placed on lower third of door • Some departments train teams to use a two-part system Firefighter I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What are some examples of marking systems used by your department? Firefighter I

Building Search Safety • Search initiated on arrival • Guidelines for rescuers • Work quickly, operate safely • Always be alert for weakened/hazardous structural conditions • Feel floor to be sure intact (Continued) Firefighter I

Building Search Safety • Firefighters on or directly below fire floor should be alert for sagging floors, etc. to indicate floor/ceiling above or below has weakened Firefighter I

When Searching Within A Burning Building • Open doors cautiously • Feel top of door and door knob to determine heat level • Do not remain in front of door while being opened (Continued) Firefighter I

When Searching Within A Burning Building • Stay on hinge side of outward-opening doors • If inward-opening door difficult to open, do not kick door; place strap behind knob to maintain control while opening Firefighter I

If in Imminent Life-Threatening Danger • Transmit Mayday! • Activate PASS device • Communicate situation to supervisor/Command • Actions when contact made Firefighter I

If Hoseline Can Be Located • Crawl along and feel for couplings • Female – Toward nozzle, has smaller lugs • Male – Toward water source, has lungs on shank • Follow hoseline to exit or nozzle team Firefighter I

If Unable to Retrace Steps • Look for exit from building • Search by locating wall and crawling along while sweeping floor with one hand and sweeping wall as high as possible without standing up (Continued) Firefighter I

If Unable to Retrace Steps • Sweeping hand back and forth on floor will help avoid holes, other openings into which fall may be possible • Sweep walls while crawling to help locate window • Take appropriate actions if outside window found Firefighter I

If Possible to Escape Without Assistance • Take appropriate action if equipped with escape rope • If not equipped with escape rope, safely drop from second story window by removing SCBA and hanging from windowsill by hands Firefighter I

If Door Can Be Found • Secure door with rope/strap attached to knob so can be closed quickly • Check door for heat before opening • If cool to touch, open slowly, carefully • If door leads to closet or fire on other side, continue along wall in same direction Firefighter I

If Exit Through Door/Window Not Possible • Break through interior or exterior wall • Follow guidelines for attempting to breach interior wall Firefighter I

DISCUSSION QUESTION What should be done if the space between studs is not enough to escape through? Firefighter I

If Unable to Exit • Activate PASS device and move close to wall • If exhausted, sit on floor and lean against wall • If unable to reach wall, position flashlight toward ceiling Firefighter I

When Trapped Suffering Injury • Find place of relative safety and activate PASS device • If against wall, tap or pound on wall with tool or hard object • Try to maintain composure to maximize air supply Firefighter I

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) • Must be standing by when firefighters are in hazard zone inside burning building • Composed of at least two firefighters equipped to enter hazard zone to locate/rescue firefighter in distress • IC may decide RIC needs more than two firefighters (Continued) Firefighter I

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) • Members may be assigned nonessential duties as long as they can be abandoned • Other allowable assignments • Location relatively close to hazard zone • Must not require much physical exertion (Continued) Firefighter I

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) • May be more than one at a given fire, especially if interior crews entered building at different points Firefighter I

Actions by Rescuers Searching for Firefighter in Distress • Remember firefighter will probably be wearing SCBA • Try to establish radio contact • IC may order noise-producing devices be shut down (Continued) Firefighter I

Actions by Rescuers Searching for Firefighter in Distress • If actions unsuccessful, attempt to determine last known location • TIC should be used • RIC should stop frequently to listen • Crew members may hold breath for complete silence Firefighter I

Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located • Air supply should be checked • Firefighter should be medically evaluated • Level of consciousness, vital signs should be checked (Continued) Firefighter I

Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located • If unable to walk, use any safe means possible to move (Continued) Firefighter I

Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located • Need to exit hostile atmosphere usually overrides need to stabilize injuries prior to moving • If firefighter has functioning SCBA, carefully move him/her so as not to dislodge mask (Continued) Firefighter I

Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located • If no functioning SCBA, connect mask to functioning SCBA from RIC kit or quickly remove victim from hazardous atmosphere Firefighter I

Tracking Devices • Some departments equip firefighters with digital radio transceivers • Approximately same size as PASS device and mounted on SCBA harness Courtesy of Exit Technologies. (Continued) Firefighter I

Tracking Devices • Have range of approximately 100 feet (30 m) and do not interfere with radios • Operate on 457 kHz • Always turned on when entering burning building (Continued) Courtesy of Exit Technologies. Firefighter I

CVFD Training – Rescue Operations