Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Primary-Secondary Search PDF 2018

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 420-02 Primary - Secondary Search Issue Date: 05/21/2018...

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Standard Operating Guideline SOG 420-02 Primary - Secondary Search Issue Date: 05/21/2018 Effective Date: 06/21/2018 PURPOSE: To ensure firefighters perform a primary search when structures are safe and to ensure a secondary search for victims is completed. AUTHORITY:  Fire Rescue Administrator SCOPE: This standard operating guideline shall apply to all Emergency Operations personnel. PROCEDURE: These guidelines provide a basic framework for most incidents. 1. Rescue Profile a. The Incident Commander and operating units must be aware that the highest incident priority is Life Safety and the highest tactical priority is Rescue until the Primary Search task is completed (refer to SOG 200-02 Incident Command Sequence). b. When there is an indication of a salvageable life and there is no evidence of imminent structural failure or a hostile fire event, resources should be assigned to the tactical priority of Rescue. When these conditions exist, Rescue shall take priority over Extinguishment (the task of Primary Search shall take priority over Fire Attack). c. A salvageable life is defined as a person known to be in the structure with conditions tenable for a person without protective gear. d. Primary Search shall NOT be conducted in fully involved structures since survival of occupants is improbable. e. A calculated risk may be taken to perform Primary Search when there is no evidence of imminent structural failure or a hostile fire event, to verify that no victims are present, but history has shown that bystander information is many times inaccurate. f. Based on the conditions, the first arriving Rescue may need to be teamed with the first arriving Engine to perform the tactical priority of Rescue. g. Refer to SOG 410-03 Thermal Imaging Camera for TIC use and operation (3.b.): i. “A Thermal Imaging Camera should be used to direct Search and Rescue and Fire Attack.” 2. Primary Search a. All Fire Rescue personnel shall follow SOG 220-01 Personal Accountability and SOG 220-02 Two In-Two Out Rule. SOG 420-02 Primary - Secondary Search Page 1 of 3  b. A Primary Search is a rapid search for possible victims. c. It is the responsibility of the Incident Commander to ensure a Primary Search is performed. d. When performing a Primary Search, firefighters should search areas based on the: i. Location of reported victim(s) (if available) ii. Most severely threatened area iii. Largest number of victims (groups) iv. Remainder of the fire area v. Exposed areas e. When performing a Primary Search, firefighters should shut the doors of uninvolved rooms to: i. Minimize smoke damage ii. Enhance property conservation iii. Assist with Confinement f. The decision to shut doors of uninvolved rooms shall depend upon the extent of fire control in the structure. g. Victims i. Removal of victims can be accomplished through windows and doorways, in any of the following fashions: 1. On the first floor by dragging, carrying or assisting them 2. On the second floor by using ladders 3. On the second floor or above by using the aerial portion of an Aerial unit ii. When Primary Search personnel encounter a victim(s), they must immediately notify the Incident Commander by radio. They should report their: 1. Location 2. Number of victims 3. Means of egress iii. The Incident Commander must ensure sufficient resources are available for treatment and transport of any victims. h. The completion of the Primary Search shall be reported to the Incident Commander according to SOG 210-01 Communications. i. When large areas must be searched refer to SOG 420-03 Large Area Search. 3. Secondary Search a. A Secondary Search of the structure should be performed when conditions permit. b. A Secondary Search is typically more thorough and methodical than a Primary Search, ensuring all potential victims have been located. c. When feasible, a different company should be used to conduct the Secondary Search than that company which completed the Primary Search. This method prevents companies from “assuming” the layout and bypassing pertinent areas. d. When Secondary Search personnel encounter a victim(s), they must notify the Incident Commander by radio. They should report their: i. Location ii. Number of victims SOG 420-02 Primary - Secondary Search Page 2 of 3  e. Victims that are obviously deceased due to fire (i.e., charring, etc…) should not be disturbed or moved. 4. Investigator Requests a. Refer to Investigator Call Out Procedure (PPM FR-B-101) for Fire Investigator requests and notifications. Supersession History 1. SOG #1705, issued 07/01/2005 2. SOG #1705, issued 10/01/2012 3. SOG 420-02, clerical 04/01/2018 4. SOG 420-02, issued 05/21/2018 SOG 420-02 Primary - Secondary Search Page 3 of 3