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SIZE-UP & STRUCTURAL SEARCH
SIZE-UP & STRUCTURAL SEARCH
This week's training will cover size-up and structural search basics. Components this week will include:
Case Study - Southwest Florida Airport Fire - 04/05/2020
Take No Small Action for Granted
Scene Size-up
Structural Search - Basic Principles
Primary and Secondary Searches
Search Methods and Best Practices
Quiz
Case Study - Southwest Florida International Airport Fire - April 5 2020
Click the link to the right to watch a collection of news videos on the Southwest Florida International Airport fire from 2 weeks ago (firefighternation.com).
The fire stretched over an area of more than 15 acres, destroying 3516 rental cars (3850 more vehicles were saved).
The cars were tightly stored in a vacant field as overflow parking due to reduced business caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
Thinking Questions:
According to the reports (and using what you know about fire conditions), what factors contributed to this fire being a 'recipe for disaster'?
Would you want to use water, foam, or a combination of the two in fighting a fire of this nature?
Are there businesses or events in our area with the potential to create a similar fire risk?
SCENE SIZE-UP
SCENE SIZE-UP
“Considering the amount of decisions that will be made during the incident, none are as important as the ones that will be made in the first five minutes upon arrival”
- Lt. Michael Daley, ISFSI Master Instructor
Size-up begins as soon as the tones go out
A proper and accurate size-up, by all attending firefighters, is crucial to ensure the safety of yourself and your team members and to maximize the chances of an effective search and rescue. Covering all of the things to look for during size-up is a multi-part lesson on it's own, but will be touched on briefly here. The goal of size-up is to determine what has happened, what is happening, and what could potentially happen next on a fire scene. Size-up is an ongoing process, and doesn't stop until the scene is cleared. Some examples of things to look for during size-up could include:
Size-up Before Arrival
- Consulting maps and satellite views for location info
- Checking satellite views for structural and property details
- Receiving updates from dispatch and on-scene units
- Reading smoke from a distance when possible
Size-up Upon Arrival
- Potential safety concerns and hazards
- Vehicles in the driveway and other clues of occupancy
- Observing building type and construction
- Reading smoke showing and involved areas
Ongoing Size-up
- Changing fire behaviour and evolution
- Changing wind and weather conditions
- Water levels and line placements
- Effectiveness of the fire attack plan
Scene Size-up Observation - Newark, Ohio Fire
Scene Size-up Observation - Newark, Ohio Fire
December 8th 2017 - Newark, Ohio
Watch the accompanying video of Newark Fire Department responding to a reported structure fire. This is obviously an urban response, with 2 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 medics and 2 Chief Officers responding (2 additional engines were brought in to assist if needed). As the video plays, watch/listen for the size-up activities and reports done by the first units on scene, and by Incident Command.
Within the first minute after arrival, what important information was relayed to dispatch/responding units to assist with the attack plan?
Pick out IC as they leave the first truck on scene. What is the first thing they do? What is the first information they report? What are the first tasks they assign?
What size-up practices do you notice in the video after the 5 minute mark, after the initial suppression efforts have taken place?
STRUCTURAL SEARCH - BASIC PRINCIPLES
STRUCTURAL SEARCH - BASIC PRINCIPLES
Search and Rescue requires firefighters to take calculated risks in hazardous situations. Before a firefighter can effectively do this they must first know:
How to size-up an incident scene.
How to properly perform a primary and secondary search.
How to work safely and effectively as part of a team.
How to determine the best method for removing patients/victims.
Emergency survival techniques and MAYDAY protocols.
How to remove incapacitated firefighters.
~ "Risk a lot to save a lot, risk a little to save a little, risk nothing to save what is already lost." ~
A PREPARED FIREFIGHTER
A PREPARED FIREFIGHTER
An unprepared firefighter not only reduces the chances of a successful search effort, but is also a liability and a threat to their own safety in an IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) environment. Prepared firefighters ...
... have trained search scenarios so they can complete them effectively in a number of different environments.
... have proper tools and equipment, including something to extend their reach, a (charged!) radio, and an activated PASS device.
... have the ability to remain calm and maintain situational awareness in an IDLH environment when lives are potentially on the line.
Speed can be the ally or the enemy of a firefighter in a search and rescue scenario. Rescue operations have to be initiated with extreme immediacy to maximize the chances of patient survival. However, successful rescues cannot happen if you realize when you hit the door that you have forgotten a piece of your PPE, if you have left a critical tool or a radio on the truck, or if your haste causes you to forget how to properly conduct a search. When lives are on the line we must move quickly, but never without thinking about our movements first. There are no oops's or re-do's in lifesaving scenarios. We train and then we train more so that when we are called upon, we can complete our tasks with careful speed and pin-point accuracy.
SEARCH METHODS:
SEARCH METHODS:
PRIMARY & SECONDARY SEARCHES
PRIMARY & SECONDARY SEARCHES
There are 2 objectives of a structural search: searching for life by locating and removing victims, and assessing fire conditions by obtaining information about the location and extent of the fire.
These 2 objectives are met through conducting primary and secondary searches.
Primary Search - A 'quick and dirty' search to locate victims and to locate and confine the main body of the fire.
Secondary Search - A more methodical and careful search to locate any potentially unaccounted-for victims.
THE PRIMARY SEARCH
THE PRIMARY SEARCH
During the primary search, firefighters quickly check the known or likely location of victims and all affected areas of the structure. While doing so, they check that fire conditions are as they appeared from the outside and report any changes they encounter. Primary searches should be coordinated with and occur at the same time as initial suppression and ventilation efforts.
To maximize chances of victim survival and to quickly assess fire conditions, primary search areas should always be prioritized in the following order:
Most severely threatened
- The area closest to the fire on the fire floor and the floor above it
Largest number of possible victims
- The area containing the largest number of possible victims
Remainder of the hazard zone
- Areas farthest from the fire on the same level, upper floors, and floors below
Exposures
- Interior and exterior of any exposures
In multi-story buildings, why is the room above the seat of the fire given such high priority?
The accumulation of smoke and heat in rooms directly above the seat of the fire creates life-threatening conditions for anyone in that area. Because heat and smoke will do whatever they can to travel in an upwards direction, we must treat these areas most severely threatening to life safety.
THE SECONDARY SEARCH
THE SECONDARY SEARCH
Secondary searches are conducted after initial fire suppression and ventilation have been completed. They should always be done by personnel who did not participate in the Primary Search to use a set of "fresh eyes" and get an unbiased view of the scene. Secondary searches should be slow and thorough to ensure that no occupants were overlooked during the primary search.
SEARCH METHODS AND BEST PRACTICES
SEARCH METHODS AND BEST PRACTICES
Each department has its own search procedures, but all will draw on the same general and systematic principles. BFD primarily uses the Left-hand (and Right-hand) Search patterns to ensure that areas are thoroughly searched, and that firefighters don't become dangerously disoriented in low-visibility environments.
Left-hand Search
When you enter a structure or a room, turn left, and follow the walls around until you reach your starting point.
As you leave a room, turn left and continue to the next room to be searched.
To remove a victim or exit the building quickly, turn opposite the direction you entered (turn right) and return to your point of entry.
Always exit a structure through the same door you entered to ensure a complete search.
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY - STRUCTURE SEARCH DEMONSTRATION
POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY - STRUCTURE SEARCH DEMONSTRATION
In the following video, Battalion Chief Brandon Garcia of the Poudre Fire Authority in Fort Collins, Colorado demonstrates with Captain Ryan Thomas and Captain Ross Reinking the proper techniques for room and structure search. As you watch listen for their thoughts on the following:
- High-probability locations of victims
- Communication to maintain contact and orientation
- Constant Contact (traditional) vs. Preferred (perpendicular) Method
- Beds, couches, and furniture (searching on, under, and around)
- 2-person teams vs. 3-person teams
- Descending stairs safely
This pair has obviously trained extensively to communicate quickly and clearly with the "alphanumeric" system "ie. "swing Charlie," "search Delta," etc. While using these particular phrases isn't a must in search and rescue, clear and continuous communication with your search team is! Communication should, as much as possible, include orientation cues as to where you are and what way you are facing in the building. It is very easy to become disoriented in low visibility situations if you're not keeping track of your turns.
STRUCTURAL SEARCH - THINGS TO REMEMBER:
STRUCTURAL SEARCH - THINGS TO REMEMBER:
NEVER put yourself in a position where you cannot contact your other search team members via sight/sound/touch
Depending on conditions search teams can enter with a charged hoseline if deemed appropriate. It will slow movement but will aid greatly in safety and orientation.
Walk upright if heat and visibility conditions allow. Crawl/slide when heat conditions are encountered, or when smoke is too thick to see your feet.
In low visibility situations, search around objects thoroughly but never move them. Moving them, especially large objects, can disorient you when retracing your steps to the exit.
Search closely areas where victims may seek refuge from heat, smoke and fire: ie. bathrooms, showers, closets, under beds, etc.
After searching an area, close any doors that are not being used to aid in ventilation tactics to slow the spread of the fire.
Take the TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera)! It sees much better in low visibility than you do, can give clues to fire progression that you may not be able to see, and can identify rooms containing high heat and fire before entry.
Call out as you search. In low visibility, victims may hear you before they see you.
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