Search and rescue is commonly performed during structure fires. During a structure fire, it is possible that people are trapped within the home and are not able to escape on their own. Smoke, heat, and other dangerous conditions often cause people to become disoriented and attempt to hide from the heat and smoke caused during a home fire – which can lead to death if they are not quickly rescued. While this task is extremely dangerous, firefighters are highly trained in these rescue techniques.
Firefighter Training in Search and Rescue
Firefighter search and rescue is primarily practiced and learned while the firefighter is training for their certification; and is continually performed as practice to maintain the necessary skills to accurately perform this task. Firefighter Instructors most often begin training “search and rescue” to students in the classroom. The reason is that the students must have a basic understanding of the principles and basics of this firefighter task before attempting to perform it on their own. Search and rescue is one of the most important tasks that firefighters perform, and must be performed by-the-book!
Instructors commonly pair-up students in the firefighter program to learn these techniques in a controlled environment. The controlled environment might be within the classroom, firefighter training center, or any other building that can be used to simulate a structural rescue scene. Once students are more advanced in the search and rescue techniques, instructors will often utilize an official training building whereas real smoke will be introduced in the training exercise, and students are often blindfolded to further enhance a real-life incident.
The Basics of Firefighter Structural Search and Rescue
Firefighting search and rescue is performed to safely, and quickly rescue those who are entrapped. It is always performed by at least two rescuers trained in search and rescue. The “team” that is performing the search, must be able to communicate and work together in unison. While there are several different methods to perform search and rescue, the following are covered here.
Structural search and rescue (wall searches) consists of two searches – a primary search and a secondary search.
- The primary search is a quick and accurate search – get in and get out. It is normally performed under hazardous conditions such as with fire, smoke, or other toxic conditions. The primary search is to quickly search the entire structure for any victims who may be stranded and get them out as fast as possible.
- The secondary search is performed under safer conditions and where the scene or fire is under control. This particular search is not performed as fast as a primary search and victims who are found in the secondary search may not survive.
The basic wall searches can be performed as a “right-hand search” or a “left-hand search” – the direction in which the search team follows once entering the structure. For example, if the team is performing a left-hand search, they will turn left upon entering the structure and follow the left path throughout the entire search.
If performing the primary search, the firefighters will quickly and thoroughly search each room for victims and will only stop searching if the scene becomes too hazardous, if the firefighters become low on supplied air, or if the entire structure has been completely searched and any victims removed.
Firefighter Teamwork & Communication – Search and Rescue
Good communication and teamwork is a must for search and rescue techniques to be effective. Each team member must communicate with his/her partner to announce if they have found a potential victim, have an equipment malfunction, or see a hazardous condition that may affect the firefighters.
Properly trained firefighters will have a clear understanding of what their partner’s next move will be. Teamwork is an essential! Without teamwork, search and rescue can be hazardous and dangerous to the firefighters, and both firefighters and victim’s lives can be lost.
Further Reading:
Backdraft Detection and Prevention - Firefighter Hazards
Living the Life of a Volunteer First Responder Firefighter
Steve Farmer - Steve Farmer Jr. is an individual of many interests and hobbies. When not spending time with his wife and four children, he is an employee ...
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