1. Searching Smarter2013Q2
Deputy Chief Skip Coleman – Toledo Fire & Rescue

2. Chief S. Coleman (ret.) - Bio
Skip has retired as Assistant Chief of the Toledo Fire Department where he served for over 32 years. Skip is currently Technical Editor for Fire Engineering Magazine and is on the FDIC Educational Advisory Committee. Skip teaches throughout the United States and Canada.
Information contained within this presentation was created by Chief S. Coleman.
Chief S. Coleman (ret.) - Bio

3. Today’s Search We miss rooms We miss corners
We miss the center of rooms
We take way too long to search
We search in the wrong places
We spend too much time searching where only “dead” people could be
Continuity of Search not Maintained

4. Continuity of Search
Continuity of Search – Assuring that a Search is being conducted in a logical un-interrupted manner.
Entails knowing where we have searched, where we are searching now, where we will search next and when the entire area has been covered.
Even when we find and remove victim(s)

5. The Oriented Search 1) The Safety of the Search Team
The Oriented Search Defined: A Method of Search That Utilizes One “Oriented” Man (Team Leader) and One or More Searchers
“The Oriented Search Is a Method of Search That Allows for Focus to Be Split Into Two Directions:
1) The Safety of the Search Team
2) The Actual Search

6. The Oriented Search Advantages to the Oriented Search
Safety of Crew Maintained at All Times
Searchers Allowed to Focus on Finding Victims - Not on Hose Lines or Ropes
Searches Conducted Faster. More Lives Saved
Continuity of Search Maintained
Dis-Advantages to the Oriented Search
Requires a Lot of Concentration on the Part of the “Oriented Man”

7. The Oriented Search in Detail

8. The Oriented Search in Detail
The Oriented Search Is Based on “Focus”. One Member, Called the “Oriented Man” (Usually the Officer) Has As His or Her Sole Focus the Safety of the Crew. He or She Maintains Constant Awareness of Three Things:
The Entire Crews Whereabouts
The Fire Conditions in the Area
The Location and Progress of the Searchers and the Search

9. The Premise Behind the Oriented Search
One Firefighter focused on:
How to get in and how to get out (that’s why we don’t change positions)
Fire Safety of Crew
Where will we search first, where have searched, where are we currently searching and where we will search next
The searchers are focused on Searching and can “fly” conducting their search knowing that someone (the Oriented Man) is looking out for their safety.

10. Two types or variations of the Oriented Search:
Modified Search

11. Three Things Necessary for Oriented Search. “Bread and Butter Fire”
The Oriented Search
Three Things Necessary for Oriented Search.
“Bread and Butter Fire”
Proper Positioning of Oriented Man
Communication
The Direction of Search:
Left Handed
Right Handed
Left off Hose Line - Commercial
Right off Hose Line - Commercial

12. The Oriented Search How It Works -
Oriented Man and Searchers Enter Structure
Oriented Man Leads Way and Memorizes How They Get in and How to Get Out. Locates Area to Be Searched
Searcher Enters Search Area – Tells Number of Walls and Direction of Search

13. The Oriented Search How It Works - Crew Communicates
As a Searcher Searches, the Oriented Man Locates Next Room to Be Searched - Checks Search Area for Changing Heat and Smoke Conditions and Area Behind Search Area
When Searcher Is Finished, Oriented Man Leads Searcher to New Area to Search

14. Oriented Man
Designed for Residential Fires – Single and Multi-family occupancies
Can be Modified to Work in Almost any Occupancy Type
Work off hallways – sleeping area
(first or second floor)
Work off of stairway or other point on first floor

15. Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

16. Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

17. Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

18. Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

19. Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

20. Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

21. One Firefighter Searches
The Oriented Search is based on One Man Searches
The word “Oriented” comes from the fact that the Oriented man must remain aware of his whereabouts and the conditions around him
The Searcher must be aware of where he is.
The first thing in conducting a One Person Search is determining the number of walls in a Room and the Direction of Search

22. Walls
Learn how to count them!

23. Search Patterns

24. Search Patterns

25. Search Patterns
Rooms Within a Room!

26. Search Patterns
Odd Shaped Rooms!

27. Modified Oriented Search
Oriented Search vs.
Modified Oriented Search
Only One Oriented Person
and up to Three Searchers.
Used when Search Area / Rooms are Small and Communications
are Effective.
Advantage – Faster Search – More rooms
covered at same time

28. Modified Oriented Search
Oriented Search vs.
Modified Oriented Search
Teams of Two with One Oriented Man and One Searcher.
Used when Search Area is Larger.
Advantage – If distances are great , Communication is improved.

29. The Incident Commander & The Search Officer

30. Command Officer Responsibilities
The Incident Commander Should Prioritize When Search Operations Are to Begin

31. Search Officer Responsibilities
The Search Officers Hands Should Not Be Sweeping Under Beds and in Bath-tubs.
IMS and All Tasks on the fire ground Should Be Based on “Focus”.
The Command Officers Task Is to Focus on the Incident!
The Search Officers Should Focus on the Search.

32. Search Strategy There Are Two Basic Search Strategies Primary Search
Secondary Search
The Difference Between the Two Is the Condition of the Possible Victims That You Are Looking for.

33. Search Strategy A Rapid Systematic Search to Locate Savable Victims.
There Is Always a Logical Place to Start and a Logical Place to Stop a Primary Search.
There Is Also a Time Frame Beyond Which Search Should Not (or Need Not) Be Conducted Any More.
A Slow Methodical Search to Look for and Locate Dead Victims.

34. Reading The Building For Search
Where to start and stop the search
How to get in
Finding the way up if required
12’
Almost 6’
D/O Berg says “Choose the right tool for interior search.”

35. Where to Search First
The First Task in Search Is to Determine Where to Search First and Where to Search Last.
The Rule Is:
Normally Start the Search As Close to the Fire As Possible, Where Savable Victims Could Be and Then Work Out and up From There.
The Exception to This Is When The Fire Is on the First Floor and the Time Indicates That Savable Victims Are Above the Fire or Night Time Fires in Two Story Homes.

36. The Way Into A Building
Under Most Circumstances, Search Should Follow the Hose Line Into the Building.
Normally Attack Is Assigned First
Assure a Line Between the Fire and the Search Team

37. The Way Into A Building Once in - Where Will We Start.
Conditions Dictate We Start Near the Fire.
Follow Line in and up to Attack Crew and Work Back and up (If Applicable)
Conditions Dictate We Start Above the Fire.
Locate the Stairway If Possible From Outside
Follow Line in
Find the Stairs

38. Reading The Building For Search
Critical Factors
In a Two Story Home – the Location of the Stairs.
In a Ranch – the Bedrooms.
Business Establishments. Know Your Buildings.
Ranch Style
2-Story Style

39. How Long Is too long?!?

40. Primary Search Time Frame
There Is a Time Frame Beyond Which Search Should Not (or Need Not) Be Conducted Any Longer.
Human Physical Factors Apply
Moral Factors Apply
Common Sense Applies

41. Primary Search Time Frame
Under IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) Conditions, a Primary Search should be conducted for no more than approximately 15 minutes.
That Is the Duration of 1 SCBA Bottle.
Humans Can Only Survive With 15% O2 for 4 to 6 Minutes and at Temperatures of Less Than 180 Degrees. We Will Give Victims All the Benefit of the Doubt for 15 Minutes.
Search Officers Must Gauge Their Search With This Maximum Time Frame in Mind.

42. Searching With a Hose Line

43. Searching a Multi-Family Structure
Apartments – Tenements
Work hallways.
Normally, no hose line or rope necessary.
“Rescue” group a must if occupied.

44. Searching a Multi-Family Structure

45. Searching a Multi-Family Structure

46. Searching Nursing Homes

47. Searching Restaurant / Night Clubs

48. Searching Restaurant / Night Clubs
Restaurants / Night Clubs / Bars;
Hose line is recommended.
Rope lines are difficult to control and may get “stuck” on furnishings.
Try not to “throw” chairs and tables around. Keep an orderly search area.

49. Searching Commercial Occupancies
Oriented man stays with the “oriented point” (whatever that is) except to take quick “sorties” to check the fire or to check searchers (rooms off of rooms).
Oriented point should be constant and non-movable if at all possible.

50. Do you see the down firefighter in this image?tn
Presentation shared by Snohomish County Fire District 7