Essentials of Fire Fighting,

1

• Essentials of Fire Fighting,
• 5th Edition

Chapter 8 Rescue and Extrication Firefighter I
2
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).

3
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.

(Continued)
4
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.

(Continued)
5
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.

(Continued)
6
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)

(Continued)
7
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)

(Continued)
8
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)

(Continued)
9
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)

10
Rescue and Extrication Operations

• Rescue Involves removal of victims from
  entrapment by
• Fires
• Terrain features
• Structural collapse
• Elevation differences
• Confined spaces
• Non-extrication situations

(Continued)
11
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

12
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

(Continued)
13
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

(Continued)
14
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

(Continued)
15
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel

• Stay low, move cautiously
• Stay alert
• Continuously monitor structures integrity
• Check doors for excessive heat before opening

(Continued)
16
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

(Continued)
17
Safety Guidelines for Search and Rescue Personnel

• Close door, report condition, follow supervisors
  orders if fire encountered
• Inform supervisor of inability to search any
  rooms
• Report to supervisor when search complete

18
Building Search Objectives

• Locating victims
• Primary search
• Secondary search
• Rapid intervention
• Obtaining information about location/extent of
  fire

19
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

20
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

21
Primary Search Operations

• Standard search priorities
• Use buddy system
• Appropriate equipment
• Radio
• TIC
• Flashlight
• Forcible entry tools
• Search rope

(Continued)
22
Primary Search Operations

• Search may be conducted by
• Walking upright
• Crawling on hands/knees

(Continued)
23
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

(Continued)
24
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

(Continued)
25
Primary Search Operations

• Visibility
• May be limited use TIC
• May be obscured by smoke report to IC

(Continued)
26
Primary Search Operations

• Making reports
• Report essentials to supervisor/Command
• Maintain radio contact with supervisor
• Negative information also important
• Inform IC of unsearched areas

(Continued)
27
Primary Search Operations

• Search line system
• Consists of 200 feet (60 m) of ?-inch (10 mm)
  rope with Kevlar sheath
• Every 20 feet (6 m) along length, 2-inch (50 mm)
  steel ring tied into line

(Continued)
Courtesy of Jeff Seaton
28
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

29
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

(Continued)
30
Secondary Search Operations

• Conducted more slowly, carefully than primary
  search
• Any negative information should be reported
  immediately

31
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

(Continued)
32
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

33
Search Methods

• When rooms, offices, apartments extend from
  center hallway, search line system can be used

(Continued)
34
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

(Continued)
35
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

(Continued)
36
Search Methods

• In some departments, small rooms are searched by
  using a thermal imaging camera (TIC)

37
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

(Continued)
38
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

39
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

(Continued)
40
Marking Systems

• Marks should be placed on lower third of door
• Some departments train teams to use a two-part
  system

41
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

(Continued)
42
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

43
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

(Continued)
44
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

45
If in Imminent Life-Threatening Danger

• Transmit Mayday!
• Activate PASS device
• Communicate situation to supervisor/Command
• Actions when contact made

46
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

47
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

(Continued)
48
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

49
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

50
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

51
If Exit Through Door/Window Not Possible

• Break through interior or exterior wall
• Follow guidelines for attempting to breach
  interior wall

52
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

53
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

54
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

(Continued)
55
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

(Continued)
56
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)

• May be more than one at a given fire, especially
  if interior crews entered building at different
  points

57
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

(Continued)
58
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

59
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

(Continued)
60
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

(Continued)
61
Actions Once Downed Firefighter Located

• If no functioning SCBA, connect mask to
  functioning SCBA from RIC kit or quickly remove
  victim from hazardous atmosphere

62
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
(Continued)
63
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

(Continued)
64
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

65
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

(Continued)
66
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

67
Victim Removal

• Injured victims should not be moved unless in
  immediate danger
• Situations where emergency moves are necessary

68
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

(Continued)
69
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

70
Carries and Drags

• Incline drag
• Blanket drag
• Webbing drag
• Cradle-in-arms lift/carry
• Seat lift/carry

(Continued)
71
Carries and Drags

• Three-person lift/carry
• Moving victim onto long backboard or litter
• Extremities lift/carry
• Chair lift/carry

72
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

73
Power Plants

• Inverter
• Step-up transformer
• Used on emergency vehicles when small amounts
  of power needed
• Advantages/disadvantages

(Continued)
74
Power Plants

• Generators
• Most common power source for emergency services
• Portable

• Vehicle-mounted

75
Portable Lighting Equipment

• Can be carried to/used in areas where
  vehicle-mounted lights cannot illuminate
• Range from 300 to 1,000 watts

(Continued)
76
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

77
Fixed Lighting Equipment

• Mounted to vehicle
• Usually mounted so it can be raised, lowered,
  turned
• Often mounted on telescoping poles

(Continued)
78
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

79
Auxiliary Electrical Equipment

• Electrical cables or extension cords
• Junction boxes
• Adapters

80
Summary

• Firefighters must be capable of performing basic
  rescue and extrication operations as a member of
  a team.

(Continued)
81
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.

82
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?

(Continued)
83
Review Questions

• 4. How can firefighters help operate safely
  while conducting building searches?
• 5. What should a firefighter in distress do?