S1.7 Search and Common Sense

• Fire departments aim to protect and save lives.
• Firefighters remove citizens from dangerous situations.
• The primary search finds and removes citizens from harm.
• A primary search can happen while suppressing a fire.
• These searches should be fast and systematic while balancing speed and efficiency.
• Knowledge from dispatch, structure familiarity, and bystander info from solid search size ups should be used to "get where we are going" as soon as possible.
• Primary searches are completed in high stress or zero visibility conditions.
• Thoroughly search all occupiable areas while prioritizing known victim locations as quickly as possible.
• Firefighter Rescue Survey actionable data provides verifiable information on where citizens are most often located.
• Victims are most often found in bedrooms (45%), hallways (9%), bathrooms (6%), and family rooms (16%).
• Search is an assignment.
• The crew decides on a strategy to achieve strategic goals based on data, training, experience, departmental policy, and common sense.
• Clackamas Fire District #1 Rescue and Search document and Insight Training LLC on Tactical TIC use are helpful resources.

Primary Search Tactics

• All search team members should stay oriented inside the structure.
• If searching without a line, a charged hoseline should be between fire and the search crew.
• Fire room is isolated to ensure that the search is viable based off real time information.
• If fire is located while searching for victims, isolate the fire room and relay its location to fire attack.
• Talking during a search should be kept to a minimum.
• Communication should remain pertinent, to avoid distracting from victim sounds.
• Once found, keep victims as close to the ground as possible.
• Prioritize areas with a high likelihood of finding victims.
• Scan a room with TIC for victims and fire location before entry, if applicable.
• If using a TIC during a search, it should not be used while moving through the structure.
• The TIC should be used for an initial scan to identify doors/windows for victim removal or emergencies.
• Ensure all members of the search team are briefed and understand the plan.

Oriented Search

• One member runs the team and coordinates search.
• They will maintain location awareness and accountability
• The team lead can:
  • Stay at the door/threshold of a room and act as a waypoint
  • If team lead has a TIC, he/she can quickly scan the room and relay pertinent information to the searcher.
  • Can sweep/search the immediate area.
  • Pay attention to both positive and negative interior conditions.
  • Maintain visual or voice contact.

Split Search

• This splits your crew allowing twice the amount of space to be searched.
• This reduces time in the structure and improves victim survivability chances.
• Crew splits into two teams to search two rooms that are close together.
• Each team completes a search of assigned area then continues moving to the next room/area.
• The teams can move independently of each other as long as they are in visual or voice contact

VES/VEIS / Window Initiated Search

• This tactic has undergone several name changes.
• It was initially called Vent, Enter, Search then was later changed to Vent, Enter, Isolate, Search.
• I have also heard people refer to the same tactic as Window- Initiated Search.
• All members should be on the same page and understand the tactics that are being implemented when these terms are utilized on the fireground.

Vent Enter Search (VES)

• Complete search size up and locate known or potential area/s with highest probability of victims.
• Take window/make access.
• Sweep area below window/sound floor.
• One firefighter enters room, and one stays outside or both firefighters enter room.
• If applicable utilize TIC to locate door to room and immediately identifiable victims.
• Move to the doorway of the room searching as you go, hook and look then come back in the room closing the door behind you.
• Finish searching room bringing victim/s back to window and remove from structure.

Window Initiated Search

• After completing a search size up, enter the room through a window to start a search.
• If unable to leave the room due to fire conditions, employ VES/VEIS tactics.
• If able to leave the room, continue search through the structure staying oriented to the entry point.

Wide Area Search

• Use on large structures/big box stores.
• Utilize an anchor point (outside the structure or IDLH environment)
• TIC improves wide area search.

Wide Area Search Tips

• Secure rope/tag line to stationary object outside the structure/IDLH environment and move inward.
• Stop and scan at intervals, focusing on identifying “landmarks".
• Members can leave a person anchored at the rope and search out from the anchor while staying in visual/voice contact.
• Monitor air consumption.
• Tie off rope and follow it back outside when exiting.

Staying Oriented During A Search

• Practice and confidently perform a search in an IDLH environment.
• Some feel comfortable coming off the wall while others move slower and focus on staying oriented to each other.
• Place a foot or feet against the wall while sweeping the area stretching out as far into the room as possible.
• Two searchers going in opposite directions can speed up a search but that is dependent on room size as it may be more expedient for one firefighter to search the room alone.
• If you are doing an “anchored” search and come across a victim or potential victim move off the wall to perform a rescue or investigate.
• Move right back to the wall after moving to investigate or help someone.