Essential tips for fire search and rescue: locate fires, isolate flames, and efficiently search for victims while ensuring firefighter safety.

Fire and Life

Conducting a search inside a building where the location of the fire is unknown is one of the most dangerous tasks. The two primary objectives of a search mission are:

1. Identifying the location of the fire.
2. Locating victims.

Key Steps:

• Discover the fire, isolate it, and communicate its location to the fire crew.
• Contain the fire to maximize the search area.
• Provide the fire crew with critical information like the fire’s location and the best routes to access it, such as stairways.
• After identifying the fire’s location, return to continue the search for victims.

Isolation (Rooms or Fires)

During a search, fire may spread into hallways from adjacent rooms. One primary goal of the fire crew is to confine the fire to its origin room. If fire is encountered in a hallway, further search beyond that point becomes impossible.

Key Isolation Action:

• Close doors to isolate the fire.

Teams may split into Team A and Team B:

• Team A: Searches for and isolates the fire, then communicates its location.
• Team B: Begins targeted searches for victims.

Research by the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute shows that isolating fires benefits both lives and property.

Example: Two-Team Search in a House

Scenario:

• A four-person crew divides into Team A and Team B.
• Team A begins searching from the main entrance and primary evacuation routes.
• Team B focuses on searching bedrooms, as 42% of victims are found there.

Execution:

• Team B identifies that the fire is in Bedroom 3, potentially blocking escape routes for victims.
• Team A searches the main entrance and coordinates with Team B to complete the search.

Team B uses VEIS (Ventilation, Enter, Isolate, Search) by entering through a window, isolating the room, and conducting the search. One firefighter checks Bedroom 2 while another monitors the hallway for fire spread.

Priority After Identifying the Fire:

• Communicate within the team to decide whether to isolate Bedroom 2 or proceed further.
• Isolate the fire in Bedroom 3 to slow its spread and protect the hallway.
• Extending a fire hose into the affected area buys time and improves conditions for search and rescue.

Ventilation During Searches

Proper ventilation during a search can improve conditions and reduce risks for victims. However, it’s essential to understand its impact on fire behavior.

Guidelines for Ventilation:

• Rooms with good visibility: Leave windows as is.
• Low visibility rooms: Open windows and remove screens.
• Avoid removing window sashes unnecessarily, as it wastes time and energy.
• Use tools like halligans for breaking or opening windows when needed.

Marking Searched Areas

Effective communication within the fire crew is critical. Marking doors to indicate searched areas can be challenging due to poor visibility or impractical tools like chalk.

Tips:

• Avoid relying solely on door markings, as most victims are in areas with low or no visibility.

Split Search

Splitting the search team can save time and increase survival chances, provided there are enough personnel. However, splitting across multiple floors (e.g., one team on the first floor and the other on the second) is less efficient.

Example:

• Fire attack lines are extended from the front door to primary escape routes.
• Search teams target likely victim locations, such as bedrooms, using the hose line for protection.

Vent, Enter, Search (VES)

VES involves entering through windows to conduct searches. It is particularly useful when stairways are inaccessible or obstructed.

Key Points:

• Two firefighters enter through a window to conduct the search, improving efficiency and reducing rescue time.
• If the room is large, split the area to minimize search time.

Search Tips

• Listening: Pause for three seconds to listen for sounds while holding your breath.
• Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC): Use it to scan first, but avoid relying on it entirely. Constant use may narrow your focus and delay response to changing conditions.
• Re-check areas: After rescuing a victim from a specific spot (e.g., a bed), continue searching that area thoroughly.
• Minimal movement of furniture: Avoid disrupting potential clues or hiding spots for victims.
• Locked doors: Force entry to search inside, especially in cases where night latches suggest occupant presence.
• Search under and on top of beds: Extend your reach to check for bunk beds or other high spots.

Coordination

• Avoid statements like, “That room’s already searched,” which can lead to missed victims.
• Always prioritize speed and safety during the first search.

This guide aims to improve search and rescue efficiency while protecting both victims and firefighters in critical fire scenarios.

Reference page: “Key fire characteristics: combustion elements, smoke risks, toxic gases, and safe firefighting techniques.”

References　National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

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