Search Techniques Snohomish County Training Officers Q 2

Search Techniques Snohomish County Training Officers Q 2 2015 6/3/2021 1

Drill Focus Points n Company Officers: n 3 points of focus: n Safety of your crew n Conditions n Progress of the search 6/3/2021 2

Drill Focus Points n 6/3/2021 Communication n Keeping I. C. informed § Crew air supply § Progress of search § Conditions § Your location § P. A. R. § Other relevant information 3

Drill Focus Points n 6/3/2021 Communication with your crew § T. I. C. view of area to be searched § Simple one or two word communication (“Left wall, ” “Right wall, ” “Room off room, ” “Search it, ” “Come back, ” “Got one, ” “Need help? ” ) 4

Drill Focus Points n Searchers n 2 x 2 Search pattern n Communication n See examples in Captain section 6/3/2021 5

NO GO PARAMETERS n n n n n No Viable Rescue Eminent Flashover 500 Degrees Mid Wall and Dropping Can’t Get Water on Seat of Fire Roll Over Across Ceiling Floor Off Gassing Loss of Membrane Protection No Hoseline Protection Defensive Search Close the Door 6/3/2021 6

GO TIME n n n n Viable Rescue 500 Degrees Mid Wall and Improving Able to Get Water on Seat of Fire Stop Roll Over Membrane Protection Can Separate Fire From Search Area Close the Door Hoseline Protection 6/3/2021 7

ORIENTED SEARCH n n METHOD OF SEARCH THAT UTILIZES ONE “ORIENTED” PERSON (TEAM LEADER) AND ONE OR MORE SEARCHERS ALLOWS THE FOCUS TO SPLIT INTO TWO DIRECTIONS 1. THE SAFETY OF THE SEARCH TEAM 2. THE ACTUAL SEARCH 6/3/2021 8

ORIENTED PERSON n MUST MAINTAIN A CONSTANT AWARENESS OF 3 THINGS: 1. THE SAFETY AND LOCATION OF ALL CREW MEMBERS 2. THE FIRE CONDITIONS 3. THE PROGRESS OF THE SEARCH 6/3/2021 9

ORIENTED SEARCH 6/3/2021 10

ONE PERSON SEARCH n n n STAY ORIENTED TO THE WALL COUNT THE WALLS CALL OUT WINDOWS OR IMPORTANT FEATURES DECIDE ON THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL LEFT OR RIGHT USE A GOOD SEARCH PATTERN 6/3/2021 11

SEARCH PATTERN 6/3/2021 12

ORIENTED SEARCH DISADVANTAGES n n REQUIRES A LOT OF CONCENTRATION ON THE PART OF THE ORIENTED PERSON THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS TO BE A GOOD THINKER THINK WAY AHEAD OF THE CURRENT SITUATION- MULTI LEVEL THINKING THE TEAM LEADER MUST BE AWARE OF THE LOCATION AND CONDITIONS OF THE FIRE 6/3/2021 13

ORIENTED SEARCH ADVANTAGES n n n SAFETY OF SEARCH TEAM MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES SEARCHERS FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON FINDING VICTIMS NOT SLOWED BY HOSELINES OR ROPES EQUATES TO MORE LIVES SAVED THE EXPOSURE OF THE SEARCH TEAM TO THE HAZARD IS REDUCED 6/3/2021 14

ORIENTED SEARCH n TESTS IN THE 1980’S COMPARING THE STANDARD SEARCH AND THE ORIENTED METHOD REVEALED 1. FIRFIGHTERS CONDUCTING AN ORIENTED SEARCH WERE MUCH MORE CONFIDENT AND FOCUSED ON THE SEARCH 2. THEY KNEW THAT SOMEONE ELSE WAS LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR SAFETY 3. ORIENTED SEARCHES WERE THUS CONDUCTED FASTER THAN STANDARD SEARCHES 6/3/2021 15

MODIFIED ORIENTED SEARCH n n n DONE WITH ONE SEARCHER AND ONE ORIENTED PERSON WITH 4 PERESON CREW SPLIT IN TWO TEAMS USED DURING ROOM OFF ROOM SITUATION 6/3/2021 16

ROOM OFF ROOM 6/3/2021 17

ROOM OFF A ROOM n SEARCHER ADVISES THE ORIENTED PERSON OF A ROOM OFF A ROOM n THE ORIENTED PERSON OR OTHER SEARCHER MOVES UP TO THE ROOM n THIS MAINTAINS THE CONTACT BY SIGHT, SOUND, OR TOUCH 6/3/2021 18

WHERE TO SEARCH n n n THE SEARCH SHOULD START AS CLOSE TO THE FIRE AS POSSIBLE WHERE SAVABLE VICTIMS COULD BE THEN WORK OUT AND UP FROM THERE 6/3/2021 19

WHERE TO SEARCH n n THE EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS A FIRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR WHEN TIME INDICATES THAT SAVABLE VICTIMS ARE ABOVE THE FIRE 6/3/2021 20

WHERE TO SEARCH n n IN ALL CASES, THE FIRST-ARRIVING OFFICER ASSIGNED TO SEARCH MUST READ THE BUILDING FOR SEARCH THIS REQUIRES IDENTIFYING THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY INTO THE STRUCTURE VISUALIZE THE PROBABLE LOCATIONS WHERE SAVABLE VICTIMS ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE 6/3/2021 21

PROBABLE LOCATION OF ADULT VICTIMS n BEDROOMS n PATHS OF EGRESS n OUTSIDE THE STRUCTURE 6/3/2021 22

PROBABLE LOCATION OF YOUNG VICTIMS n CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST DR. RONALD AMOS STATES: 1. INFANTS AND BABIES WILL ONLY STAY THERE AND CRY 2. TODDLERS MAY BECOME SCARED AND HIDE MAKING RESCUE MORE DIFICULT 3. CHILDREN WILL TAKE INAPPROPRIATE OR DANGEROUS ACTIONS 4. YOUNG CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO LOOK UP TO THEIR OLDER SIBLINGS IN THE ABSENCE OF PARENTS 6/3/2021 23

PROBABLE LOCATION OF YOUNG VICTIMS n SEARCH OF A CHILD’S ROOM SHOULD INCLUDE: 1. UNDER BED, CHECK FOR BUNK BEDS 2. BEHIND FURNISHINGS AND CORNERS 3. INSIDE TOY BOXES, EVEN CLOSED 4. OPEN DRESSER DRAWERS, CLOSETS, BATHROOMS, AND BATHTUBS 5. AMONG STUFFED ANIMALS 6. UNDER CURTAINS 6/3/2021 24

PROBABLE LOCATION OF VICTIMS n n OFTEN THE ADULT OR GUARDIAN WILL INSTRUCT THE CHILDREN TO LEAVE THE STRUCTURE ON THEIR OWN WHILE THEY ATTEMPT TO BATTLE THE BLAZE OR CONTACT THE FIRE DEPT. IN WINTER ENVIRONMENTS PARENTS WILL ATTEMPT EXTINGUISHMENT, YET GIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHILDREN TO DRESS FOR COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, UNAWARE OF THE RAPID SPREAD OF FIRE 6/3/2021 25

THE WAY INTO THE STRUCTURE n n UNDER MOST CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SEARCH SHOULD FOLLOW THE ATTACK HOSELINE INTO THE FIRE AREA SEARCH AS CLOSE TO THE FIRE AS POSSIBLE AND OUT FROM THERE TO THE ENTRANCE 6/3/2021 26

THE WAY INTO THE STRUCTURE n n IN A MULTISTORY OCCUPANCY OR FIRE WHERE THOSE ABOVE THE FIRE ARE THE MOST THREATENED THE SEARCH CREW MUST LOCATE THE STAIRWAY AND ASCEND IMMEDIATELY 6/3/2021 27

THE WAY INTO THE STRUCTURE n n IF UNABLE TO LOCATE STAIRS OR FIRE CONDITIONS PREVENT QUICK ACCESS UP STAIRS CONSIDER V. E. S. OR TARGETED SEARCH TACTICS 6/3/2021 28

V. E. S. OR TARGETED SEARCH n n n PROBABLE LOCATIONS OF SAVABLE VICTIMS GROUND LEVEL BEDROOMS OR ABOVE GROUND BEDROOMS LAST KNOWN LOCATION, REPORT FROM FAMILY OR OCCUPANT 6/3/2021 29

V. E. S. OR TARGETED SEARCH n REQUIRES COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION n DO NOT USE PPV IN CONJUNCTION WITH V. E. S OR TARGETED SEARCH n THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER SKILL 6/3/2021 30

LIMITING THE PRIMARY SEARCH n CHIEF SKIP COLEMAN OF THE TOLEDO, OHIO FIRE DEPT. RECOMMENDS THE MAXIMUM TIME FRAME A PRIMARY SEARCH SHOULD LAST IS 15 MINUTES n THE LIMIT IS DEVELOPED USING HUMAN PHYSICAL FACTORS, MORAL FACTORS, AND COMMON SENSE 6/3/2021 31

LIMITING THE PRIMARY SEARCH n n n UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS THAT ARE (IDLH), IT IS REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT FIRE COMPANIES SHOULD CONDUCT A PRIMARY SEARCH FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONSIDERATIONS: 6/3/2021 32

LIMITING THE PRIMARY SEARCH n CONSIDERATIONS: 1. THE DURATION OF ONE SCBA BOTTLE IS 15 MINUTES, AFTER THIS TIME CREWS ARE IN DANGER OF BECOMING OVEREXTENDED WITH NO BACK UP AIR SUPPLY 2. THE HUMAN BODY CAN ONLY SURVIVE 4 -6 MINUTES AT 15% OXYGEN 3. THE BODY CAN SUSTAIN TEMPERATURES OF 180 DEGREES F FOR NO MORE THAN 4 -6 MINUTES 6/3/2021 33

LIMITING THE PRIMARY SEARCH n BASED ON THESE FACTS, IT IS REASONABLE TO LIMIT SEARCHES TO 15 MINUTES n FOR VICTIMS THIS A DOUBLE OR NEARLY TRIPLE BUFFER FACTOR PROVIDED UNDER (IDLH) CONDITIONS n WHILE BEING CAREFUL NOT TO OVER EXTEND AND JEOPARDIZE CREW SAFETY 6/3/2021 34

LIMITING THE PRIMARY SEARCH n IN BETTER THAN (IDLH) CONDITIONS, SEARCHES CAN BE CONDUCTED WHEN STAFFING ALLOWS n OR WHEN OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ARE AVAILABLE n THE MAXIMUM TIME FRAME CAN BE LENGTHENED WHEN SURVIVABILITY IS INCREASED n THE SEARCH PLAN SHOULD BE BASED ON THE CONDITIONS AND THE MAXIMUM TIME FRAME IN MIND 6/3/2021 35

MAINTAINING THE FOCUS OF THE SEARCH n WHEN SEARCH FINDS A VICTIM n THE REMOVAL PROCESS DETRACTS THE SEARCH TEAMS FOCUS 6/3/2021 36

SEARCH vs. RESCUE n n n SHOULD BE TWO SEPARATE TASKS WHEN LOOKING FOR MULTIPLE OR UNKOWN NUMBER OF VICTIMS HAVING A RESCUE GROUP WILL PREVENT THE SEARCH TEAM FROM LOSING FOCUS ON THE SEARCH WHEN ONLY LOOKING FOR 1 VICTIM OR SMALL OCCUPANCY, RESCUE BY THE SEARCH TEAM WILL BE EFFECTIVE 6/3/2021 37

SEARCH vs. RESCUE n n n WITH SEPARATE SEARCH AND RESCUE GROUPS, THE CONTINUITY OF THE SEARCH IS MAINTAINED AS THE SEARCH TEAM LOCATES VICTIMS, THE RESCUE TEAM RECEIVES AND REMOVES THEM SOME OF THE PLACES THIS MAY OCCUR: 1. HOTELS AND MOTELS 2. HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS 3. OCCUPIED STORES 4. NIGHT CLUBS AND RESTAURANTS 5. APARTMENTS AND CONDOS 6. OFFICE BUILDINGS 6/3/2021 38

CONTINUITY OF THE SEARCH n 1. 2. 3. 4. 6/3/2021 ASSURING THAT A SEARCH IS BEING CONDUCTED IN A LOGICAL & UNINTERUPTED MANNER, THIS ENTAILS: KNOWING WHAT HAS BEEN SEARCHED WHAT IS BEING SEARCHED NOW WHAT WILL BE SEARCHED NEXT WHEN THE ENTIRE AREA HAS BEEN SEARCHED 39

HOSELINES FOR SEARCH TEAMS n IF YOU HAVE THE MANPOWER KEEP THE FUNCTIONS OF HOSE WORK AND SEARCH SEPARATE n IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE HOSELINE IN THE AREA WHILE SEARCHING 6/3/2021 40

SEARCHING WITH A TOOL n n WHILE SEARCHING DO NOT DRAG TOOLS ALONG AND SLOW THE SEARCH LEAVE THE TOOLS AT THE DOOR OR WITH ORIENTED PERSON WEAR AN AXE SCABBARD AND BE HANDS FREE USE TOOLS AS REFERENCE POINT 6/3/2021 41

SEARCHING WITH A THERMAL IMAGER n n n USED BY THE ORIENTED PERSON THE T. I. C. WILL ENHANCE THE PROCESS PROVIDE FOR AN IMPROVED SAFETY MARGIN WHILE SHORTENING SEARCH TIMES THE T. I. C. DOES NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE ORIENTED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITY TO STAY ORIENTED TO A WALL OR WAY OUT 6/3/2021 42

SEARCHING FOR LIFE OR FIRE n UNCOORDINATED VENTILATION IS A COMMON FACTOR RESULTING IN FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES n DOORS SHOULD BE CLOSED IN ORDER TO COMPARTMENTALIZE AND CONFINE THE FIRE AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION n THE SEARCH FOR VICTIMS SHOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE AREA IS COMPLETELY SEARCHED OR UNTIL THE FIRE CONDITIONS DICTATE OTHERWISE 6/3/2021 43

REFERENCES n n n n IFSTA NFPA USFA SKIP COLEMAN, DEP. CHIEF TOLEDO FIRE DAN NOONAN, RET. FDNY DR. RONALD AMOS, CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST RICH SHRAUNER, CAPT. EVERETT FIRE 6/3/2021 44