Essentials of Fire Fighting , 5 th Edition

Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition Chapter 8 — Rescue and Extrication Firefighter I

Chapter 8 Lesson Goal • After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to summarize procedures and guidelines for rescue operations and perform basic victim removal following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 1. Distinguish between rescue and extrication operations. 2. Summarize safety guidelines for search and rescue personnel operating within a burning building 3. Explain the objectives of a building search. (Continued) Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 4. Describe primary search and secondary search. 5. Discuss conducting search operations. 6. Explain what actions a firefighter should take when in distress. (Continued) Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 7. Describe actions that should be taken by a rapid intervention crew (RIC) when a firefighter is in distress. 8. Discuss victim removal methods. 9. Discuss emergency power and lighting equipment. (Continued) Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 10. Conduct a primary and secondary search. (Skill Sheet 8-I-1) 11. Exit a hazardous area. (Skill Sheet 8-I-2) 12. Demonstrate the incline drag. (Skill Sheet 8-I-3) (Continued) Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 13. Demonstrate the blanket drag. (Skill Sheet 8-I-4) 14. Demonstrate the webbing drag. (Skill Sheet 8-I-5) 15. Demonstrate the cradle-in-arms lift/carry — One-rescuer method. (Skill Sheet 8-I-6) (Continued) Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 16. Demonstrate the seat lift/carry — Two-rescuer method. (Skill Sheet 8-I-7) 17. Demonstrate the extremities lift/carry — Two-rescuer method. (Skill Sheet 8-I-8) (Continued) Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 18. Demonstrate the chair lift/carry method 1 — Two rescuers. (Skill Sheet 8-I-9) 19. Demonstrate the chair lift/carry method 2 — Two rescuers. (Skill Sheet 8-I-10) 20. Illuminate the emergency scene. (Skill Sheet 8-I-11) Firefighter I

Rescue and Extrication Operations • Rescue — Involves removal of victims from entrapment by • Fires • Terrain features • Structural collapse • Elevation differences • Confined spaces • Non-extrication situations (Continued) Firefighter I

Rescue and Extrication Operations • Extrication — Involves disentanglement, removal of victims from vehicles • Differences between rescue and body recovery operation • Rescues involve risk to life • Body recoveries should not involve risk to life Firefighter I

Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel • Do not enter building in which fire has progressed to point where viable victims are unlikely to be found • If backdraft conditions are apparent, attempt entry only after ventilation • Work according to IAP (Continued) Firefighter I

Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel • Maintain radio contact with supervisor; monitor radio contact • Continuously monitor fire conditions that might affect search team safety • Use established personnel accountability system (Continued) Firefighter I

Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel • Be aware of secondary means of egress • Wear full PPE, including SCBA, PASS device • Work in teams of two or more, stay in contact with each other • Search systematically (Continued) Firefighter I

Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel • Stay low, move cautiously • Stay alert • Continuously monitor structure’s integrity • Check doors for excessive heat before opening (Continued) Firefighter I

Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel • Mark entry doors into rooms • Maintain contact with wall, hoseline, or tagline • Have charged hoseline at hand • Coordinate with ventilation teams before opening windows (Continued) Firefighter I

Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel • Close door, report condition, follow supervisor’s orders if fire encountered • Inform supervisor of inability to search any rooms • Report to supervisor when search complete Firefighter I

Building Search Objectives • Locating victims • Primary search • Secondary search • Rapid intervention • Obtaining information about location/extent of fire Firefighter I

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 handle of 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 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

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

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

Essentials of Fire Fighting , 5 th Edition