Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5 th Edition Chapter 8 Rescue and Extrication
Chapter 8 Lesson Goal After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to summarize procedures and guidelines for rescue operations and perform basic victim removal following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Specific Objectives 1. Distinguish between rescue and extrication operations. 2. Summarize safety guidelines for search and rescue personnel operating within a burning building 3. Explain the objectives of a building search.
Specific Objectives 4. Describe primary search and secondary search. 5. Discuss conducting search operations. 6. Explain what actions a firefighter should take when in distress.
Specific Objectives 7. Describe actions that should be taken by a rapid intervention crew (RIC) when a firefighter is in distress. 8. Discuss victim removal methods. 9. Discuss emergency power and lighting equipment.
Specific Objectives 10. Conduct a primary and secondary search. (Skill Sheet 8-I-1) 11. Exit a hazardous area. (Skill Sheet 8- I-2) 12. Demonstrate the incline drag. (Skill Sheet 8-I-3)
Specific Objectives 13. Demonstrate the blanket drag. (Skill Sheet 8-I-4) 14. Demonstrate the webbing drag. (Skill Sheet 8-I-5) 15. Demonstrate the cradle-in-arms lift/ carry One-rescuer method. (Skill Sheet 8-I-6)
Specific Objectives 16. Demonstrate the seat lift/carry Two-rescuer method. (Skill Sheet 8- I-7) 17. Demonstrate the extremities lift/carry Two-rescuer method. (Skill Sheet 8-I-8)
Specific Objectives 18. Demonstrate the chair lift/carry method 1 Two rescuers. (Skill Sheet 8-I-9) 19. Demonstrate the chair lift/carry method 2 Two rescuers. (Skill Sheet 8-I-10) 20. Illuminate the emergency scene. (Skill Sheet 8-I-11)
Rescue and Extrication Operations Rescue Involves removal of victims from entrapment by Fires Terrain features Structural collapse Elevation differences Confined spaces Non-extrication situations
Rescue and Extrication Operations Extrication Involves disentanglement, removal of victims from vehicles Differences between rescue and body recovery operation Rescues involve risk to life Body recoveries should not involve risk to life
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel Do not enter building in which fire has progressed to point where viable victims are unlikely to be found If backdraft conditions are apparent, attempt entry only after ventilation Work according to IAP
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel Maintain radio contact with supervisor; monitor radio contact Continuously monitor fire conditions that might affect search team safety Use established personnel accountability system
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel Be aware of secondary means of egress Wear full PPE, including SCBA, PASS device Work in teams of two or more, stay in contact with each other Search systematically
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel Stay low, move cautiously Stay alert Continuously monitor structure s integrity Check doors for excessive heat before opening
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel Mark entry doors into rooms Maintain contact with wall, hoseline, or tagline Have charged hoseline at hand Coordinate with ventilation teams before opening windows
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel Close door, report condition, follow supervisor s orders if fire encountered Inform supervisor of inability to search any rooms Report to supervisor when search complete
Building Search Objectives Locating victims Primary search Secondary search Rapid intervention Obtaining information about location/ extent of fire
Primary Search Rapid but thorough search performed before or during fire suppression Often carried out under extremely adverse conditions Check known/likely locations of victims Confirm fire conditions
Secondary Search Conducted after fire under control Conducted by personnel other than primary search personnel Slower, more thorough search to ensure no occupants overlooked during primary search
Primary Search Operations Standard search priorities Use buddy system Appropriate equipment Radio TIC Flashlight Forcible entry tools Search rope
Primary Search Operations Search may be conducted by Walking upright Crawling on hands/knees
Primary Search Operations When searching Move systematically Search each room completely Listen for sounds from victims Start as close to fire as possible Proceed as directly as possible from entry and pay out tagline
Primary Search Operations When searching Search bathrooms, bathtubs, etc. Search perimeter of rooms Extend arms/legs or use handle of tool to reach under furniture After perimeter searched, search middle of room
Primary Search Operations Visibility May be limited; use TIC May be obscured by smoke; report to IC
Primary Search Operations Making reports Report essentials to supervisor/command Maintain radio contact with supervisor Negative information also important Inform IC of unsearched areas
Primary Search Operations Search line system Consists of 200 feet (60 m) of ⅜-inch (10 mm) rope with Kevlar sheath Every 20 feet (6 m) along length, 2-inch (50 mm) steel ring tied into line Courtesy of Jeff Seaton
Primary Search Operations Search line system Rings also provide anchor point for lateral tethers Implementing search line system May become necessary to search areas perpendicular to search line Navigator keeps Command informed of progress
Secondary Search Operations Assigned to personnel other than primary search personnel Speed not as important as thoroughness Conducted as systematically as primary search to ensure no spaces missed
Secondary Search Operations Conducted more slowly, carefully than primary search Any negative information should be reported immediately
Searching Multistory Buildings Most critical areas are fire floor, floor directly above fire, and topmost floor Once critical areas searched, intervening floors should be checked
Searching Multistory Buildings During primary search, unless a part of ventilation, doors to uninvolved rooms should be closed Exits, hallways, stairs should be kept clear as possible
Search Methods When rooms, offices, apartments extend from center hallway, search line system can be used
Search Methods If search line system cannot be used Teams should be assigned to search both sides of hallway Critically important to control access/egress Entering first room, searchers turn right or left and follow walls around room
Search Methods If search line system cannot be used As rescuers leave room, turn in same direction used to enter room When removing victims to safety or exiting, rescuers must turn opposite direction used to enter Important that rescuers exit through same doorway entered
Search Methods In some departments, small rooms are searched by using a thermal imaging camera (TIC)
If No TIC Available One member stays at door while other searches Searcher remains oriented by maintaining constant dialogue with member at door Searcher keeps member at door informed of progress
If No TIC Available When search completed, two rejoin at doorway, close and mark door, proceed to next room When searching next room, exchange roles
Marking Systems Several methods used Latch straps serve function of preventing other rescuers from being locked out of room Departmental SOPs usually dictate accepted method
Marking Systems Marks should be placed on lower third of door Some departments train teams to use a two-part system
Building Search Safety Search initiated on arrival Guidelines for rescuers Work quickly, operate safely Always be alert for weakened/hazardous structural conditions Feel floor to be sure intact
Building Search Safety Firefighters on or directly below fire floor should be alert for sagging floors, etc. to indicate floor/ceiling above or below has weakened
When Searching Within A Burning Building Open doors cautiously Feel top of door and door knob to determine heat level Do not remain in front of door while being opened
When Searching Within A Burning Building Stay on hinge side of outward-opening doors If inward-opening door difficult to open, do not kick door; place strap behind knob to maintain control while opening
If in Imminent Life-Threatening Danger Transmit Mayday! Activate PASS device Communicate situation to supervisor/ Command Actions when contact made
If Hoseline Can Be Located Crawl along and feel for couplings Female Toward nozzle, has smaller lugs Male Toward water source, has lungs on shank Follow hoseline to exit or nozzle team
If Unable to Retrace Steps Look for exit from building Search by locating wall and crawling along while sweeping floor with one hand and sweeping wall as high as possible without standing up
If Unable to Retrace Steps Sweeping hand back and forth on floor will help avoid holes, other openings into which fall may be possible Sweep walls while crawling to help locate window Take appropriate actions if outside window found
If Possible to Escape Without Assistance Take appropriate action if equipped with escape rope If not equipped with escape rope, safely drop from second story window by removing SCBA and hanging from windowsill by hands
If Door Can Be Found Secure door with rope/strap attached to knob so can be closed quickly Check door for heat before opening If cool to touch, open slowly, carefully If door leads to closet or fire on other side, continue along wall in same direction
If Exit Through Door/Window Not Possible Break through interior or exterior wall Follow guidelines for attempting to breach interior wall
If Unable to Exit Activate PASS device and move close to wall If exhausted, sit on floor and lean against wall If unable to reach wall, position flashlight toward ceiling
When Trapped Suffering Injury Find place of relative safety and activate PASS device If against wall, tap or pound on wall with tool or hard object Try to maintain composure to maximize air supply
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) Must be standing by when firefighters are in hazard zone inside burning building Composed of at least two firefighters equipped to enter hazard zone to locate/rescue firefighter in distress IC may decide RIC needs more than two firefighters
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) Members may be assigned nonessential duties as long as they can be abandoned Other allowable assignments Location relatively close to hazard zone Must not require much physical exertion
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) May be more than one at a given fire, especially if interior crews entered building at different points
Actions by Rescuers Searching for Firefighter in Distress Remember firefighter will probably be wearing SCBA Try to establish radio contact IC may order noise-producing devices be shut down
Actions by Rescuers Searching for Firefighter in Distress If actions unsuccessful, attempt to determine last known location TIC should be used RIC should stop frequently to listen Crew members may hold breath for complete silence
Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located Air supply should be checked Firefighter should be medically evaluated Level of consciousness, vital signs should be checked If unable to walk, use any safe means possible to move
Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located Need to exit hostile atmosphere usually overrides need to stabilize injuries prior to moving If firefighter has functioning SCBA, carefully move him/her so as not to dislodge mask
Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located If no functioning SCBA, connect mask to functioning SCBA from RIC kit or quickly remove victim from hazardous atmosphere
Tracking Devices Some departments equip firefighters with digital radio transceivers Approximately same size as PASS device and mounted on SCBA harness Courtesy of Exit Technologies
Tracking Devices Have range of approximately 100 feet (30 m) and do not interfere with radios Operate on 457 khz Always turned on when entering burning building
Tracking Devices Signal allows fellow team members or RIC to locate downed firefighter If firefighter becomes separated from team, his/her transceiver can be switched from standby to search mode
Removing Located Firefighters Even though a two-firefighter RIC can locate a firefighter in distress, unlikely to be able to remove him/her from hazard zone
Removing Located Firefighters If firefighter in distress waited until low-air alarm sounded before calling Mayday, firefighter will almost certainly be out of air RIC must take specific actions when searching for missing firefighters
Victim Removal Injured victims should not be moved unless in immediate danger Situations where emergency moves are necessary
Remember During Victim Removal Chief danger is possibly aggravating spinal injury If necessary to perform emergency move, pull victim in direction of long axis of body Better to have two or more rescuers when lifting/carrying adult
Remember During Victim Removal Unconscious victim always more difficult to lift Rescuers helping carry victim should guard against losing balance Lifting incorrectly is one of the most common causes of injury to rescuers
Carries and Drags Incline drag Blanket drag Webbing drag Cradle-in-arms lift/carry Seat lift/carry
Carries and Drags Three-person lift/carry Moving victim onto long backboard or litter Extremities lift/carry Chair lift/carry
Emergency Power/Lighting Equipment Many rescue/extrication incidents occur in poor lighting conditions Conditions create need to artificially light scene Firefighters must know how to operate available emergency power/lighting equipment
Power Plants Inverter Step-up transformer Used on emergency vehicles when small amounts of power needed Advantages/disadvantages
Power Plants Generators Most common power source for emergency services Portable Vehicle-mounted
Portable Lighting Equipment Can be carried to/used in areas where vehiclemounted lights cannot illuminate Range from 300 to 1,000 watts
Portable Lighting Equipment Supplied with power by cord from vehicle-mounted or portable power plant Usually have handles and large bases Mounted on telescoping stands
Fixed Lighting Equipment Mounted to vehicle Usually mounted so it can be raised, lowered, turned Often mounted on telescoping poles
Fixed Lighting Equipment Some larger units include hydraulically operated boom with bank of lights Amount of lighting should be matched with amount of power available Overtaxing power plant has consequences
Auxiliary Electrical Equipment Electrical cables or extension cords Junction boxes Adapters
Summary Firefighters must be capable of performing basic rescue and extrication operations as a member of a team.
Summary As firefighters progress in their careers, they must be willing to pursue specialized training in each of the rescue areas, including fireground search and rescue operations, vehicle extrication operations, and a variety of technical rescue operations.
Review Questions 1. List four guidelines that should be used by search and rescue personnel operating within a building. 2. What is a primary search? 3. What should primary search teams carry with them?
Review Questions 4. How can firefighters help operate safely while conducting building searches? 5. What should a firefighter in distress do?
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