Continuing Education
for the Fire Fighter
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
Structural Search, Victim
Removal, and Firefighter
Survival
Module 1
Chapter 9
Copyright: IFSTA, Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations, 6th Edition
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Summarize the
impact of building Summarize
safety
construction and
guidelines
floor plans on for structural
structural search search and
techniques. rescue.
Explain size-up
Differentiate Recognize
and situational
between basic search
awareness
primary and methods.
considerations
secondary
during
search
structural
techniques.
searches.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe victim removal
methods.
Demonstrate the
procedure for conducting
a primary search.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Demonstrate
the Demonstrate
procedure for the seat
conducting a Demonstrate lift/carry —
secondary the webbing Two-rescuer
search. drag. method.
Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate
the incline drag. the cradle-in- the
arms extremities
lift/carry — lift/carry —
One-rescuer Two-rescuer
method. method.
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FIREFIGHTERS MUST KNOW HOW BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION AFFECTS FIRE DEVELOPMENT.
Helps
Direction Speed Collapse
predict
Alerts
Safe Obstacles
firefighters areas to exit
Escape
to
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FIREFIGHTERS MUST KNOW LAYOUT OR FLOOR PLAN TO
SEARCH STRUCTURE EFFECTIVELY.
Pre
Inspections incident
surveys
Knowledge
Personal
Architectur
observatio
al plans
n
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FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD TAKE EVERY
OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE BUILDING LAYOUT.
Other structures in response Zoning meetings, open
Residential dwellings
area houses, and building officials
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SIZE-UP IS A MATTER OF SAFETY FOR ALL
PERSONNEL AT AN EMERGENCY INCIDENT.
Officer in Charge
All personnel
First Firefighter on scene
What has
happened?
What is
happening?
What is going
to happen?
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USE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AT ALL TIMES
TO KEEP ALL FIREFIGHTERS SAFE.
Courtesy of Bob Esposito
Begins at arrival Communication
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USE YOUR SENSES AFTER ENTERING A STRUCTURE
TO INCREASE YOUR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.
Listen to sounds that
indicate fire Watch for color of
becoming more smoke
intense
Feel wall, door with Sound floor before
back of hand advancing
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BE AWARE OF KEY INDICATORS OF
STRUCTURAL INSTABILITY.
Listen for sounds of structural
movement
Look for sagging support elements,
obvious structural displacement
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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
FOR STRUCTURAL SEARCH AND RESCUE.
Do not enter structures when survivors unlikely
Avoid extreme fire behavior
Do not freelance
Maintain contact with IC
Monitor radio traffic, fire conditions
Continuously monitor fire conditions
Accountability system
Be aware of entry/egress
Full PPE, SCBA, PASS
Work in teams, keep in contact
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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
FOR STRUCTURAL SEARCH AND RESCUE.
Use strap to control door
Close door to fire, report condition
Search systematically
Stay low, move cautiously
Monitor and communicate changes
Mark entry, remember direction
Maintain contact with wall and lines in low visibility
Have staffed, charged hoselines whenever possible
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FOLLOW THESE GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
FOR STRUCTURAL SEARCH AND RESCUE.
Coordinate with IC and ventilation teams
Report rooms not searched
Report completed searches
Keep supervisor informed of progress of fire
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FIREFIGHTERS MUST BE PREPARED BEFORE ENTERING
ANY AREA IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND
HEALTH (IDLH).
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WITNESSES CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION
ABOUT OCCUPANTS STILL INSIDE STRUCTURE.
Assume structure
Are there witnesses,
No is occupied until
escaped occupants?
searched
Question Relay info to
Verify
witnesses, IC and
Yes information if
escaped incoming
possible
occupants units
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FIRE ATTACK AND VENTILATION IMPROVES
CONDITIONS WHEN DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH
SEARCH.
Fire attack
Survivable
conditions
and improved
visibility
Tactical
ventilation
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THE DECISION OF WHEN TO BEGIN SEARCH
PROCEDURES WILL DEPEND ON THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fire control
before search Search while
advancing hoseline
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STRUCTURAL SEARCH AND RESCUE HAS
TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES.
Searching for life
Assessing fire conditions
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PRIMARY SEARCHES ARE CONDUCTED IN THE
MOST CRITICAL AREAS FIRST.
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SECONDARY SEARCHES ARE CONDUCTED AFTER
INITIAL SUPPRESSION AND VENTILATION.
Different personnel,
“fresh eyes”
Slower, thorough
systematic search
Report any changes
Do not remove SCBA
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GENERAL METHODS FOR PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY SEARCHES FOLLOW A SYSTEMATIC
PATTERN.
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USE ORIENTED-SEARCH METHOD FOR
ROOMS THAT EXTEND FROM HALLWAY.
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PERFORM A QUICK SURVEY BY GETTING LOW
TO THE GROUND.
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HOW FIREFIGHTERS MOVE DURING SEARCH
DEPENDS ON CONDITIONS.
Crawl in extreme
Walk if possible Using stairs
heat and smoke
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VICTIMS MAY SEEK SHELTER FROM FIRE OR
BE FOUND IN PATHS OF EGRESS.
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SEARCH THE PERIMETER AND CHECK WHERE
OCCUPANTS MAY BE OVERCOME WITH SMOKE WHILE
ATTEMPTING ESCAPE.
Floor below windows
On top of beds and furniture
Under beds and furniture Behind doors
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PLACE A TOOL AGAINST THE WALL AND EXTEND WITH
ARM OR LEG TO SEARCH THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM.
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TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS IF VISIBILITY IS
LIMITED DURING A PRIMARY SEARCH.
Identify Do not move
objects by objects, can be
touch disorienting
Search all sides Report to IC if
of any object smoke
obscures vision
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REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHILE
CONDUCTING STRUCTURAL SEARCHES.
Maintain radio contact with supervisor, IC
Report progress and new information
Close doors unless ventilating
Clear unused equipment from exit paths
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USE THE ORIENTED-SEARCH METHOD WHEN
WORKING IN TEAMS.
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USE THE WIDE-AREA-SEARCH METHOD FOR
LARGE OR COMPLEX AREAS FILLED WITH SMOKE.
Steel ring tied to
Identifying tag Lead and navigator
search line
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KNOTS TIED AFTER EACH RING INDICATE
DISTANCE AND DIRECTION.
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RINGS PROVIDE ANCHOR POINTS FOR LATERAL
TETHERS USED FOR SEARCHING AREAS
PERPENDICULAR TO SEARCH LINE.
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COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL WHEN
USING SEARCH LINES AND TETHERS.
Maintain Navigator
voice contact provides
when off constant
main search updates to
line the IC
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THERMAL IMAGERS HELP FIREFIGHTERS SEE
THROUGH DARKNESS AND THICK SMOKE, BUT ALSO
HAVE DISADVANTAGES.
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CONSISTENT MARKING SYSTEMS HELP
FIREFIGHTERS CONDUCT EFFECTIVE SEARCHES.
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SOME DEPARTMENTS USE FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY’S URBAN SEARCH AND
RESCUE SYSTEM.
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ADDITIONAL MARKS CAN BE MADE TO ADD
IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
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MANY OCCUPANTS CAN EVACUATE WITH LITTLE
OR NO ASSISTANCE FROM FIREFIGHTERS.
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USE SHELTER-IN-PLACE METHOD ONLY IN
CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
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WHEN RESCUE EFFORTS ARE REQUIRED,
FIREFIGHTERS MAY HAVE TO TAKE SPECIFIC
ACTIONS.
Extinguish
Provide
fires
alternate
preventing
exit
exit
Carry
Remove
injured
debris
victims
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IMPROPER LIFTING TECHNIQUES CAN RESULT
IN BOTH VICTIM AND FIREFIGHTER INJURY.
Straight back, lift with legs
One or more rescuers
Follow safety guidelines
Avoid hazard zones while
with victim
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USE THE DRAG OR LIFT/CARRY TECHNIQUE
APPROPRIATE TO THE SITUATION.
Cradle-in-arms
Incline drag Webbing drag
lift/carry
Moving
Extremities
Seat lift/carry victims onto a
lift/carry
litter
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SUMMARY
The first priority at any structural fire is that of
survival, both for the individual and of fellow
firefighters.
In order to meet this goal firefighters must learn to
size up a situation, practice situational awareness,
manage air supply, and remove victims to safety.
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