FIREFIGHTER I • LESSON 7

RESCUE VS. EXTRICATION TS 7–1 Rescue — Removal and treatment of victims from situations involving natural elements, structural collapse, elevation differences, or any other situation not considered to be an extrication incident Extrication — Removal and treatment of victims who are trapped by some type of man-made machinery or equipment

ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO BUILDING SEARCH TS 7–2 Look at the entire building and its surroundings on approach. Question occupants who have escaped to obtain information about those who may still be inside and where they may be found.

BUILDING SEARCH OBJECTIVES/PRIORITIES TS 7–3 First Priority Searching for life Second Priority Searching for fire extension

GUIDELINES FOR PRIMARY BUILDING SEARCH TS 7–4 Conduct before or during fire suppression operations. Be rapid but thorough. Look in known or likely locations for victims. Verify fire conditions. Report surprises.

SECONDARY BUILDING SEARCH TS 7–5 Is conducted after fire is under control and hazards are somewhat abated Is conducted by personnel other than those who conducted primary search Is thorough and painstaking

SEARCHING MULTISTORY BUILDINGS TS 7–6a Prioritize critical areas: 1st priority — Fire floor 2nd priority — Floor directly above the fire 3rd priority — Topmost floors Search critical areas immediately (remaining occupants will be in the greatest jeopardy in these places).

SEARCHING MULTISTORY BUILDINGS (cont.) TS 7–6b Search intervening floors after critical areas. Close doors to rooms not involved in fire to prevent fire spread. Keep exits, hallways, and stairs clear to reduce tripping hazards.

TYPES OF MARKING SYSTEMS TS 7–7 Chalk or Crayons Masking Tape Door Markers Latch Straps Two-part systems are best.

GENERAL SAFETY DURING BUILDING SEARCHES TS 7–8 Be alert for weakened or hazardous structural conditions. Continually feel the floor in front with hands or a tool. Be alert for signs that floor/ceiling assembly has weakened. Be cautious when opening doors. Open doors slowly to check for possible victims.

WHAT TO DO IF TRAPPED OR DISORIENTED TS 7–9a Stay calm. Retrace steps to original location. Seek an exit from the building or fire area. Shout for help periodically. If a hoseline can be found, feel for couplings — Female is toward the nozzle Male is toward the water source Make radio contact as quickly as possible.

WHAT TO DO IF TRAPPED OR DISORIENTED (cont.) TS 7–9b If you can’t find a way out — Find place of relative safety. Stay close to a wall. Activate PASS device. Shine flashlight toward ceiling.  If exhausted or close to losing consciousness — Lie flat on floor next to exterior wall, hallway, or doorway.

SEARCHING FOR A LOST OR DISORIENTED FIREFIGHTER TS 7–10a First try to quickly obtain an idea of firefighter’s last location. Stop every so often and become perfectly quiet to hear calls for help or downed firefighter’s PASS device tone. Use any safe means possible to remove downed firefighter from hostile atmosphere. If downed firefighter has functioning SCBA, carefully move firefighter so as not to dislodge SCBA facepiece.

SEARCHING FOR A LOST OR DISORIENTED FIREFIGHTER (cont.) TS 7–10b If downed firefighter does not have functioning SCBA, connect mask to buddy breathing connection on rescuer’s SCBA, or quickly remove victim from hazardous atmosphere. Do not remove your facepiece at any time or in any way compromise the proper operation of your SCBA in an attempt to share them with another firefighter or victim.

GUIDELINES FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS WITHIN BUILDINGS TS 7–11a Do not enter a building in which viable victims are not likely to be found. When backdraft conditions exist, attempt entry only after ventilation is accomplished. Work from a single operational plan. Maintain contact with command. Monitor fire conditions constantly.

GUIDELINES FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS WITHIN BUILDINGS (cont.) TS 7–11b Have a rapid intervention team constantly available. Use the established personnel accountability system without exception. Be aware of the secondary means of egress established for search personnel. Wear full PPE. Work in teams of two or more. Stay in constant contact with team members.

GUIDELINES FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS WITHIN BUILDINGS (cont.) TS 7–11c Search systematically. Stay low and move cautiously. Stay alert — use all senses. Continually monitor the structure’s integrity. Feel doors for excessive heat before opening them.

GUIDELINES FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS WITHIN BUILDINGS (cont.) TS 7–11d Mark entry doors into rooms, and remember the direction turned when entering the room. Maintain contact with a wall when visibility is obscured. Have a charged hoseline at hand when working on the fire floor. The hoseline may be used as a guide for egress as well as for firefighting.

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS WITHIN BUILDINGS (cont.) TS 7–11e Coordinate with ventilation teams before opening windows during search. Inform group/sector supervisor immediately of any room(s) that could not be searched. Report promptly to the supervisor once the search is complete.

VICTIM REMOVAL Do not remove the victim before treatment unless — TS 7–12a Do not remove the victim before treatment unless — There is fire or danger of fire in the immediate area Explosives or other hazardous materials are involved It is impossible to protect the accident scene The victim is in cardiac arrest and must be moved to a different area so that rescuers can administer CPR

VICTIM REMOVAL (cont.) TS 7–12b Be aware that the chief danger of moving a victim quickly is the possibility of aggravating a spinal injury. Pull victims in the direction of the long axis of the body, not sideways. Whenever possible, use two or more adults when attempting to lift or carry an adult. Guard against losing your balance.

VICTIM REMOVAL (cont.) Always lift as a team. TS 7–12c Always lift as a team. Keep your back straight and lift with your legs, not with your back. Remember: Lifting incorrectly is one of the most common causes of injuries to firefighters. If immobilization of a fracture is not feasible until the victim has been moved a short distance, support the weight of the injured part while other rescuers move the victim.

Video 7.8