Ch 10 Structural Search and Rescue

Question 1

What is primary search… p456

Answer 1

A primary search is intended to rapidly determine the location of victims. The search should be fast but thorough and may be performed either before of during fire suppression operations. During the primary search, quickly check the known or likely locations of victims and all affected areas of the structure.

Question 2

What is the main rule of thumb in low visibility environments?

Answer 2

If you can’t see your feet, don’t stand.

Question 3

What are the two types of orientation that CFD uses?

Answer 3

Overall (of entire structure. Left or right)

Room (within a compartment. Near, left, far, right side)

Question 4

You must be aware of psychological effects of obscured vision conditions and recognize when they occur… p434-435

What are four psychological effects to be aware of?

Answer 4

Disorientation
Fear
Claustrophobia
Panic

Question 5

Air consumption varies widely from individual to individual. A cylinder’s rated operating time is not an indicator of actual operating time because of these variations.

Answer 5

True. p437

Question 6

What are some search safety guidelines… p454

Answer 6

Do not freelance
Maintain in contact with crew members at all times (sight, touch, hearing)
Continuously monitor radio communications
Be aware of your entry point and the secondary means of egress from the structure

Question 7

Secondary search… p456

Answer 7

A secondary search is a slow, thorough search conducted after the fire is under control. The search’s purpose is to ensure that no occupants were overlooked during the primary search.

Personnel who did not participate in the primary search are often ordered to conduct a secondary search. Using different personnel to conduct the secondary search has the advantages of allowing the search and rescue team to use “fresh eyes” and get an unbiased view of the scene.

Question 8

What are some basic search methods… p457

Answer 8

General methods for primary and secondary searches follow a pattern. When you enter a room, you turn right or left and follow the walls around until you return to your starting point. As you leave the room, turn in the same direction you did as you enter and continue to the next room to be searched. For example, if you turned left when you entered the room, turn left when you leave the room.

Question 9

Why is door control important… p460

Answer 9

Close the doors to any rooms that are not involved in fire unless the door are being used for ventilation. This prevents fire from spreading into these rooms. Opening doors and windows can disrupt ventilation efforts, spread fire, and draw it toward the opening.

Question 10

What is VEIS… p463

Answer 10

VEIS (Vent Enter Isolate Search) is usually chosen as a rescue tactic when there is a credible report of possible victims in survivable areas of the structure.

Question 11

When emergency assistance is needed - MAYDAY protocols…

GRAB LIVES… p468

Answer 11

If you think your life is in immediate danger, transmit you departments MAYDAY signal, communicate your situation to command, then activate your pass. The sooner rescuers know you are in danger the sooner they can come to your aid.

Remember your GRAB LIVES procedures. 
Gauge
Radio
Activate PASS
Breathe, Orient, Act
Low
Illuminate (light)
Volume (make noise)
Exit
Shield (your airway)

Question 12

Evacuation and immediate actions to improve your survival… p470

Answer 12

Stay low to the floor (lower temps)
Use hose stream for protection (cool gases)
Close door between you and the fire (barriers)
Filtering toxic air (shielding airway)
Use tools to shore up building material

Question 13

Escaping to a safe haven is the best option in any of the following circumstances… p470

Answer 13

There is an imminent threat of structural collapse
There is no safe place to shelter
You have completely exhausted your air supply
Rapid fire development is about to occur
You have been ordered to abandon the structure

Question 14

What are Rapid Intervention Teams… p473

Answer 14

Consists of two firefighters and are on standby when firefighters become injured or trapped in the hot zone. They must be trained in firefighter rescue and equipped with the same PPE as interior firefighting crews at the incident. Sometimes more than one RIT is assigned to standby, especially if interior crews entered the building at multiple points.

Mandatory equipment can described as AWARE (Air, Water, A Radio, Extrication):

• A spare SCBA to provide breathing air to downed firefighter
• A hose line to create a defensive space
• A radio to communicate with command
• Forcible entry tools for extrication

Question 15

Building floor plan and preincident planning… p450

Answer 15

Many fire departments perform periodic preincident surveys of target hazards in their response areas. Preincident surveys allow departments to meet the facility’s owner/occupants and become familiar with the contents, floor plans, building construction, and manufacturing processes.

Attend local zoning meetings; go to a real estate agent’s open houses, and get to know local building officials to gain knowledge.

Question 16

Fire isolation during search… p 454

Answer 16

Locating and isolating the fire must be a priority before any search. Isolating the fire may be accomplished in a number of ways, depending upon circumstances at the scene. Entering to perform a search provides a ventilation opening to the structure. As a result, even though the intention of a search is to locate victims, ensuring that the fire does not spread beyond the compartment of origin should be a high priority to protect victims and firefighters.

Question 17

Wide area search method… p461

Answer 17

A wide area search method is sometimes used to conduct a primary search of a large or complex area that is filled with smoke. This system employs a dedicated search line, typically 200’/60m that is 3/8” thick rope. A minimum of three team members are required, although larger teams can be more effective. About 10’ or 3m outside the entry point to the search area, the end of the search line is tied to a fixed object about 3’ or 1m above the floor.

Question 18

Victim removal techniques… p466

Answer 18

Never drag a victim through a hazard zone unless there is no other choice. 
Use the following types of carries or drags to remove a victim:
Incline drag
Extremity carry
Webbing drag
Cradle in arms carry
Seat lift/carry
Litter carry

Question 19

Breaching an interior wall may give you access to a safe haven or room from which you can safely exit the building… p472

Answer 19

However, this is not a preferable method since it requires strength, depletes air supply, and creates an additional flow path.

Question 20

Search methods 2… p458

Answer 20

One good search practice is to get low to the floor to perform a quick survey. Thermal layering and the buoyancy of smoke produce a clear area of vision just above the floor level. Victims, obstacles, or the general layout of a room may be identified more quickly from this perspective.

Question 21

Building Floor Plans…

To conduct an effective structural search, FF must know the layout or floor plan of a building.

Answer 21

This knowledge may come from inspections, preincident surveys, architectural plans, or personal observations.

Question 22

What is shelter in place… p465-466

Answer 22

Sheltering in place involves moving to a protected location within the structure.
It is used when:
The hazard is minor
It is safer to keep the victims inside the structure
Victims are incapacitated and cannot be moved
There is limited staffing to assist with the evacuation
The structure can provide a protective barrier between the victim and the hazard

Question 23

Victim removal techniques 2… p466

Answer 23

Injured victims should not be moved until they have been assessed and treated, unless they (or you) are in immediate danger. The primary danger in moving victims quickly is the possibility or aggravating a spinal injury.

Question 24

When may the IC order for a brief shutdown of all equipment that is making noise? p474

Answer 24

The IC may order a brief shutdown of all pumps, generators, fans, and other noise producing devices so that a firefighter’s PASS device can be better heard.

Question 25

Explain best practices to ensure firefighter survival during interior operations…

Answer 25

Be physically and mentally prepared
Practice situational awareness
Recognize and avoid hazards

Question 26

Basic Command Organizational Configuration

The basic command organizational configuration includes the following three levels…

Answer 26

1. Strategic Level - Incident Command; determines the overall direction and goals of the incident.
2. Tactical Level - Identifies the objectives that the tactical level officer must achieve to meet the strategic goals.
3. Task Level - Describes the specific task needed to meet tactical level requirements and assigns, these tasks to operational units, companies, teams, and individuals.

Question 27

What is the purpose of the point man?

Answer 27

The point man’s responsibility is to safeguard the egress; provide guidance for the search team during search ops; act as a reference point for search members within the compartment, and monitor any changes in heat and smoke conditions.

If a problem occurs, the point man can call the search team back to the egress and the team can leave the structure together.

Question 28

Primary search… CFD Manual p32
The primary search should be initiated in the area that is most threatened, which can be determined by the team assigned to assess conditions of the different floors.

Answer 28

Search teams will generally start on the fire floor, if conditions permit, followed by the floor above and below then working their way up towards the top floor. As smoke will migrate upwards through various channels, consideration should always be given to checking the top floor in a high rise, to see if a primary search is required, even when the lower floors are fine.

Question 29

CFD has three approved methods for victim drag…

Answer 29

The incline drag: grab the victims hands from under their arm pits and drag while walking backwards.
The feet first drag: drag the victim by hugging their ankles underneath your armpits.
The sheet or blanket: if found on a bed, consider wrapping the victim in the bedding or sheet, and drag them using the sheet.

Question 30

Taking into account the tactical size-up, Command decides where to begin the search.
This falls into three general search categories…

Answer 30

Last known victim location
Area of highest risk
Exploratory

Question 31

For multi-story structures, the search priorities are:
1st priority - start with the survivable areas nearest the fire, then systematically search outward, clearing the rest of the floor. If the fire has burned through and extended to the floor above or below, multiple search teams may be required.
2nd priority - the floor directly above the fire floor
3rd priority - higher level floors
Last/lower priority - the floors below the fire and any extension

Answer 31

Searches should be completed in order of priority; however, the 1st priority step does NOT have to be complete before the next priority is started if multiple search teams are deployed. In this case, multiple search teams can coordinate their search efforts through the IC and other tactical groups.

Question 32

What is an overall orientation search?

Answer 32

Overall orientation search provides the search team with the systematic direction of travel in relation to the structure. Left or right can be chosen by the officer and this is how you move through the structure clearing rooms as you progress.

Question 33

What is a basic survival skill firefighters need to know during search and rescue?

Answer 33

The basic skills of firefighting are also essential survival techniques. For example, forcible entry techniques such as forcing windows and cutting debris can also be applied during an escape.

Question 34

What is the role of the search officer?

Answer 34

The primary responsibility of the Officer leading the search is to coordinate and control the progression of the search while monitoring and maintaining the safety and integrity of the team.
This includes:
Creating a search plan from info gained during size-up
Maintaining search team accountability and continuity
Monitoring structural fire conditions
Monitoring air supply of crew members
Ensuring there is a safe means of egress

Question 35

During a search…
Make mental notes of land marks. This establishes a coherent narrative should you need to reverse your course and egress. Report these landmarks to crew members during a face to face after the compartment has been cleared.

Answer 35

Limit furniture movement during search operations to help maintain your mental map of the area. If it is necessary to move furniture to search the area, attempt to return the furniture to its original location.

Question 36

When the IC gives an order for all personnel to evacuate the structure, crews must…

Answer 36

All crews on scene must give a PAR (personnel accountability report)

Question 37

To conduct an effective structural search…

Answer 37

firefighters must know the layout or floor plan. This knowledge may come from inspections, preincident surveys, architectural plans, or personal observations.

Question 38

If your team is intact, follow your hoseline or searchline to your original point of entry to escape as a unit.

Answer 38

In the event or threat of rapid fire progression, do not leave the nozzle to follow your hoseline out. Withdraw the line and operate the nozzle as needed.

Question 39

When using VEIS, the second firefighter in the operation does what?

Answer 39

Remains at the entrance of the room and remains in communication with the first firefighter.