420-02 Primary-Secondary Search

Questions and Answers

Who is responsible for ensuring that a Primary Search is performed?

The Incident Commander (correct)

The first arriving Engine operator

The sector officer

The Rescue Team lead

Which is the first priority when conducting a Primary Search?

Searching the location of reported victims (correct)

Searching exposed areas

Searching areas with the largest number of victims

Searching the most severely threatened area

What is the purpose of shutting the doors of uninvolved rooms during a Primary Search?

To create a passage for firefighters

To prevent victims from escaping

To minimize smoke damage and enhance property conservation (correct)

To block smoke from entering involved rooms

What method should be used to remove a victim from the first floor?

Dragging, carrying, or assisting them Signup and view all the answers

When is it appropriate to decide whether to shut doors of uninvolved rooms?

Based on the extent of fire control in the structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct method for removing victims located on the second floor?

Using ladders Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus when conducting a primary search in a burning structure?

To find possible victims quickly Signup and view all the answers

How should firefighters prioritize the search areas during a Primary Search?

By the location of reported victims and other critical areas Signup and view all the answers

What must Primary Search personnel immediately report to the Incident Commander?

Location, number of victims, and means of egress Signup and view all the answers

Why should a different company be utilized for the Secondary Search?

To avoid assumptions about the structure layout Signup and view all the answers

What type of search is typically more thorough and methodical?

Secondary Search Signup and view all the answers

What should Secondary Search personnel do when they encounter a victim?

Notify the Incident Commander by radio Signup and view all the answers

In which situation should victims that are obviously deceased not be disturbed?

When they show signs of fire, such as charring Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of the Primary Search?

To locate all potential victims Signup and view all the answers

Which SOG must be followed for the completion of the Primary Search report?

SOG 210-01 Communications Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of referring to SOG 420-03 during search operations?

To search large areas Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest incident priority when responding to a structure fire?

Life Safety Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions should the Primary Search be prioritized over Fire Attack?

When there is no evidence of imminent structural failure Signup and view all the answers

What defines a salvageable life in the context of fire rescue operations?

A person who is known to be in the structure with tenable conditions Signup and view all the answers

Why should Primary Search NOT be conducted in fully involved structures?

Survival of occupants is improbable Signup and view all the answers

What is a calculated risk in the context of performing a Primary Search?

Conducting a search when no imminent structural failure is indicated Signup and view all the answers

Which party is responsible for ensuring a secondary search for victims is completed?

Emergency Operations personnel Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when indications of a salvageable life exist?

Prioritize Rescue over Extinguishment tasks Signup and view all the answers

What key element must be confirmed before conducting a Primary Search?

That there are indications of potential occupants inside Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Purpose and Authority

Ensures timely performance of primary and secondary searches for victims in safe structures.
Authority vested in the Fire Rescue Administrator.

Scope

Applicable to all Emergency Operations personnel within Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Rescue Profile

Primary focus is on Life Safety and Rescue until the Primary Search is completed.
Resources prioritized for Rescue in situations with potential survivors and no imminent structural threats.
Primary Search is not to be conducted in fully involved structures due to low survival likelihood.
A calculated risk may be taken for searches with no evident danger, despite potential inaccuracies in bystander information.
First arriving Rescue and Engine units may collaborate for effective Rescue operations.
Use of Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) is encouraged for directing Searches and Fire Attack.

Primary Search

Fire Rescue personnel must adhere to the Personal Accountability and Two In-Two Out rules.
Conduct a rapid search focusing on:
- Reported victim locations
- Most threatened areas
- Areas with the largest number of potential victims
- Remaining fire-affected zones
- Exposed location areas
Close doors of uninvolved rooms to minimize smoke damage, enhance conservation, and aid in fire containment.
Methods of victim removal:
- First floor: dragging, carrying, or assisting
- Second floor: ladders or aerial units
Immediate notification of the Incident Commander upon encountering victims is critical, providing details on:
- Location
- Number of victims
- Means of egress
Completion of the Primary Search must be reported according to communication protocols.

Secondary Search

Conduct a thorough Secondary Search when conditions allow, ensuring all potential victims are located.
Ideally, a different company should perform Secondary Searches to avoid assumptions about layout.
Notifying the Incident Commander is also required upon finding victims during the Secondary Search, including reporting their:
- Location
- Number of victims
Avoid moving visibly deceased victims unless necessary.

Investigator Requests

Follow the Investigator Call Out Procedure for coordinating Fire Investigator needs and notifications.

Supersession History

Traceable history through previous SOGs issued from 2005 to 2018, reflecting updates and clerical changes to the guidelines.

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Description

This quiz focuses on Palm Beach County Fire Rescue's Standard Operating Guideline for conducting primary and secondary searches. It aims to ensure that firefighters can effectively perform searches in safe structures and complete secondary searches for victims. Understanding these protocols is essential for fire safety operations.