BA Search & Rescue Flashcards
What are the 4 priorities for rescue operations in BA?
- Occupants immediately and most affected at the scene of the fire.
- Largest group of occupants affected at the scene.
- Other occupants within the same structure who may become affected.
- Occupants in neighbouring exposures who may become affected.
What is the purpose of a “Primary” search and what equipment should be carried when conducting a primary search?
A primary search is a “rapid” search of the fire affected area and the surrounds. It is often conducted by the fire attack
team on the way to identifying the seat of the fire or by a separate BA team, backing up the fire attack team. The key
word in this type of search is rapid.
Equipment required may include; Radio, TIC, ceiling hook, axe, hooligan tool, short line and a line of 40mm hose.
When is a “Secondary” search conducted and why?
A secondary search is conducted once the incident is contained and under control.
A secondary search is a thorough and deliberate search of all areas, including areas that may not have been initially searched during the primary. It’s important to search behind doors, in wardrobes and cupboards, under beds and areas people may have tried to take refuge and hide. The key word in a secondary search is “thorough”.
List five (5) precautions you can take when moving in smoke and darkness.
- Do not traverse high risk areas.
- Use the TIC and always maintain a reference.
- Remain below the neutral plane.
- Do not move past a compartment on fire.
- Remain behind the fire attack team.
When you locate a casualty during a search what actions do you need to take?
- Assess their condition (injury and level of consciousness).
- Reassure them.
- Inform the ECO.
- Sweep the immediate area around them for further casualties.
- If they are conscious, interrogate them for additional information such as any other casualties, layout of structure, can
they walk out or do they require assistance, etc. - If unconscious, communicate to ECO for relevant first aid assistance required upon exit.
- Ensure you can protect them when making exit or determine if it is necessary to take refuge in a “safe room”.
- Determine an extrication plan.
- Consolidate remaining air supply.
- Consider maintaining spinal alignment.
When are Stage 1 BA entry control procedures initiated?
Anytime crews are required to attend an incident when using BA.
When are Stage 2 BA entry control procedures initiated?
- When more than two teams are required to be committed inside a structure at anytime.
- When there is a need for more than a single ECP.
- When there is a need for a Firefighter to be tasked solely with replenishing cylinders and assisting the ECO.
- When the OIC deems it necessary due to the size and/or scale of the incident.
What is meant by the term “re-entry” and what is the minimum cylinder pressure required for re-entry?
Re-entry; when a BA team has exited the building and doffed their mask but is then tasked to re-enter for a “simple and specific” task. They are required to once again don their mask.
Teams can only re-enter the structure if they have a minimum of 150 bar.
What are the 12 duties of an ECO?
- Setup - ECP, staging area, first aid area, comms, etc.
- Ensure - Emergency teams are donned but not started up.
- Collect - Tallies and record.
- Conduct - Full check of PPC.
- Fit - Guidelines, if required.
- Record - All necessary details such as names, comms, pressures, etc.
- Calculate - Working duration and times relief teams will be needed.
- Arrange - Relief teams.
- Send in - Relief teams.
- Initiate - Emergency procedures, if necessary.
- Inform - OIC.
- Return - of all crews via the ECP.
Outline four (4) procedures that directly relate to the use of guidelines.
- Guidelines should first be put in place and tied off in fresh air by the ECO.
- Guidelines should ideally be tied off to a solid point whenever one is available and kept to the reference side.
- Guidelines should be kept “reasonably” taught and at waist height (avoid tieing off high or low and under objects, etc).
- Only two main guidelines are to be used at an incident (A and B).
Why are guidelines and personal lines used for search and rescue?
- To allow crews to quickly identify the exit path.
- To allow back up crews to swiftly make their way to the scene of operations.
- For searching large and complex structures.
- To allow crews to spread out from each other and cover a larger search area.
a. How long are the thongs on a guideline?
b. How long is the knotted line on a guideline?
c. What does the term TKO mean in relation to guideline use?
d. How long is a guide line?
a. 125mm
b. 50mm
c. Thongs > Knots > Out (this order will lead you to the exit point)
d. 60m
