Search and Rescue

So I just read a pretty good article on search and rescue that talks about some of the bad habits crews have on the fire scene when they search. I think back to when I first went to Fire School a few years back (I've gone twice, once in 2007 at Akron U and once this past Spring at OFA) I've learned some from the then to now.  I've been trying to put a shift training that covers this topic together but EMS calls keep getting in the way. So to the blog, I go. There's a lot of things that I strive for and try to think of during a search that weren't covered in school. Keep in mind though, that search and rescue can be done a hundred different ways and as long as you have rooms cleared and possible victims removed, you've done your job. We all need to keep it efficient and safe for ourselves and the people we're helping. Here' some tips.

-If you can see your feet, you can walk. Don't waste time on the ground if you don't need to be there. On a similar note, if you can't see your feet, you shouldn't be on them. Get low.

-If you are low, don't focus on trying to make up walking time by crawling faster. You'll get more tired, use more air and miss important things like doors, windows and victims. Then you're not doing your job. You're just another body in a burning building. Be efficient but THOROUGH. Use a right-handed or left-handed search pattern and stick with it.

-I'm a huge fan of a three point stance as opposed to the crawling on all fours method that's shown in all the IFSTA books. With a three-point, you keep your head up, which is quite helpful on a fire scene. It also helps you cover a more substantial area in your search because you physically take up more space. Finally, its never good to be on a knee on the fireground. Getting out of the way is your best defense from heavy falling objects. Your better chance stands with the three-point than on your knees.

-Try not to move objects in your way around too much. It's frustrating not being able to stay right against the wall, but you have to stay the course for the sake of safety. Moving possible landmarks puts you on the fast track to being disoriented.

-Don't rely too heavily on the TIC. It's a tool, not a fix-all. If the batteries shit out on you and that's the primary source of orientation, you're screwed. That said, the TIC is a fantastic orientation aid. But using a TIC to judge rooms can be troublesome due to its limitations. A room is not effectively searched until a firefighter's hand or tool have touched it.

-Avoid what is called Circus Elephant Syndrome, as the trail. That is to say, don't hug your partner's boot in a way that makes the search less effective. You need to fan out and search your area to the max. This requires experience, practice and trust in your partner as the lead.

-When searching, don't swing your tool. Try and think more of reaching with it. Tired firemen swing tools during searches like baseball bats sometimes. If you are a victim that's on the recieving end of a flying Denver Tool, you'll be pissed... and probably bleeding.

-If you find a victim, immediately notify the IC and remove them. They are in grave danger. Which technique will you use for retrieval? The webbing drag? A tool drag? Do you know how to use a DRD? Also, go back the way you came in. If you find a new means of egress along them way, take it.

-We go in and out of buildings in groups of two, at least. A good search team has a systematic approach with two positions known as the lead and the trail.
-The Lead
-The lead is responsible for the primary orientation of the team. This member keeps the search pattern consistant. It's also the lead's job to create a mental map of the area being searched. The lead needs to remember doors, windows, landmarks, bathrooms, etc. Maybe most importantly, the lead is in contact with the IC and other members of brass. The lead should be giving the IC updates, letting them know about changes in conditions, victims found and what is needed for further interior operations.
-The Trail
-The trail is the workhorse of the search team. Initially, the trail extends the search team off the boot of the lead. From a good lead, a trail should be able to cover 8-10 feet from the wall with a tool. Also, when the lead finds rooms that need searched with a regular doorway, the lead anchors at the door while the trail searches the room alone. This compartmentalizes the mental map for the lead and limits confusion. Upon finding a victim, a trail is the one that pulls the victim out.

Everything comes down to finalizing the search. It is unacceptable to miss a room, an exit or a victim due to shitty search patterns. It is equally unacceptable to not let the IC know what has not been searched if you have to exit.

Gas Leak Hazards

So I've noticed that since the San Bruno, California explosion earlier this month, there has been an increase in phone calls to the station from people about gas leaks. Go figure, 53 houses blow up on TV and some people get a little edgy. Anyway, it got me thinking that if we're getting called on potential gas leaks more, we might want to brush up on how we respond to them.
The first thing we need to think about during these calls is complacency. These calls tend to be routine but it only takes one call to expose you and your crew to fire, explosion, collapse and some serious outcomes. These calls can turn into MCI's and even though the chance is slim, we need to be ready for it.
Now everyone's SOG's are a little different for these. Until there's an actual fire, they seem to all look for patients with symptoms. That's the difference between bringing a med unit. Other than that, you need an engine and some sort of monitor. We use an ITX at both of my jobs.
Also, make sure you have an easy way to contact your gas supplier. It might be dispatch or even a phone list or cell with the number stored in the apparatus. And when you see these guys on scene, ask questions. They know a lot more about this stuff than you do so if you can, pick something up that will make the job a little safer for you and your crew. Anyhow, here's some basic response guidelines;

Inside gas leaks
-Approach upwind and uphill
-Stay clear of the scene with apparatus. If your truck is on fire, its hard to put out the house.
-Check the usual suspects inside for leaks with the monitor. The furnace, The stove, the dryer, etc. If your monitor reads 10% LEL (and if it does, it'll beep), evacuate.
-Notify the gas supplier and ventilate by opening windows and doors.
-Don't use light switches here. There's video footage all over the internet of people using light switches to accidentally blow up building's they are in.
-Have intrinsically safe portable lights for calls at night. Spark proof tools are also a plus.
-Use spark proof tools to shut off the gas supply at its valve.

For outside leaks
-Still approach uphill and upwind. Continue to keep apparatus far from leak.
-Establish a safe area around the scene. Basically, keep people away and limit possible ignition sources by extinguishing any local flames.
-Continue to use your  monitor to find the source.
-Check for signs of presence of gas in nearby buildings and their basements.
-Contact local gas supplier.
-Look ahead for water supply use in possible vapor suppressing streams.

Actual fires
-Notify the gas supplier immediately.
-Let the IC determine if the gas can be shut off at the meter or not.
-Sometimes, what is most appropriate is to let gas vapors burn and simply protect exposures. This is a controlled measure because burning gas does not explode.
-The best way to control this problem is eliminating the fuel. So get the gas turned off.
-Once out, there will still be pockets of unburned gas around. Stay clear and keep your crew clear as well.

Daily Routine at the House

So our profession is based on us running calls. People burn their houses down. Sometimes they get sick or they get hurt. That's when we show up and hopefully diffuse the situation for those involved. Everyone knows that part of the job because its an aspect thats in the newspaper and in the movies. But what if good fortune strikes your district and you don't get calls? To put it simply, get more prepared for the next call.
Now I'm relatively new to the service, but I know a little about how the system works. People in our communities pay us through taxes to deliver first class service to them in emergencies. That means we need to constantly improve ourselves and our department. We owe it to them. Now there are really only a few ways to do that. Experience on actual calls, training for calls and preparing for the day's calls through maintenance and a daily routine.
Like I mentioned before, I'm a new guy to the fire service but I've recieved advise from guys that have been on the job longer than I've been alive. They all seem to say the same things; When you're not running calls, maintain a strong routine that revolves around training and a good work ethic. Here's some ideas;

-Come to work at least ten minutes before you shift starts. Like the old saying goes, "If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late."

-Place your PPE in the truck bays where it can be easily donned. There's nothing more frustrating than a guy that has to go to the gear room before we can leave for a call. If you had a big call on your last shift, take the time in the morning to make sure your gear isn't damaged. Also, bring ALL of your PPE to the truck bays. The guy roaming around a fire scene looking for a spare glove or missing a hood doesn't look real prepared.

-Check YOUR assigned SCBA. Make sure the tank is full. Straps should be ready. Your mask should be clean and working. Be sure to test your PASS device to make sure it is operational. Remember, SCBA's can and will keep you alive. Nobody will be more motivated to make sure it works than you.

-Go over assigned apparatus or jobs for the day. Knowing what your duty is, whether that's medic or driver or officer can help keep you in a good mindset. This will also help with truck checks. If you're driving the engine, you may want to check the pump. If you're the medic, you may want to be the one checking equipment.

-Start truck checks and chores early and do them as a shift if you can. If you put it off, it will bite you in the ass. At my jobs, we have specific detailed apparatus of the day that gets checked thoroughly, equipment gets operated and then the units are washed inside and out. These are the vehicles you take out into your community. The people you run on OWN this equipment, not you, so take good care of it or they will find someone else who will.

-Clean the station according to your SOG's and do it with pride. From the bay floors, to the bunkroom,  I don't want to spend a third of my life working in a shithole. Do you? If you think you can improve your station, speak up and try to make it happen. Find a way to get new recliners. Renovate an office or kitchen. Have the guys band together and get a better TV. The people who pay us own our services and our equipment but we can take ownership of our station.

-Work out and stay in shape. We have a job riddled with line of duty deaths with preventable causes. These guys aren't trapped in burning buildings trying to save orphans. They are overweight, or heavy smokers or just underactive guys that end up keeling over and dying from stress-induced heart attacks after carrying hose on a routine job. Not to mention that if you're out of shape, your cancer risk goes up and we're already much more likely to catch the big C than the regular population.

-Maybe most importantly, train your ass off. You can never get enough training for a job that can kill you. The hunger for learning and improvement is the only thing that keeps this job progressive and relevant in today's economy.

With that said, there's days where you can't get everything in. There's calls to run, errands to take care of for brass, etc. I think the point is about the big picture, but it starts in the details.

Friction Loss Training



Got to do some friction loss training on Rootstown's first out engine today. Mostly just running multiple lines at different pressures with a certain GPM as the goal. We also went over using an engine to test a hydrant's flow. What was most beneficial for me was getting to use the trash line. Kinda strange but at my A-job, we don't have one. I can see why so many departments use them though. They seem pretty solid for use on couch/ car/ dumpster fires. And the clean up is kick-ass compared to crosslays.

Structural Collapse Indicators

When you talk about putting out and overhauling big fires, there's plenty of safety concerns that need to be addressed. For an arriving officer, it seems to me that list would be overwhelming. Do the guys going in have the proper PPE on? Do they have enough air? Do they have enough water? Is an adequate accountability system in place? Are we getting enough manpower enroute? Then you have to think about what kind of fire you are dealing with. You need to know what's burning, how long has it been burning for and what kind of structure it is. But even if you do everything appropriately and safe up to this point, if you run into a building that collapses, you might not be going home at the end of your shift.
Now I haven't put out a hundred fires and I'm by no means a master of structural stability awareness, but I've been on a handful of scenes where it has been pretty sketchy. So here's a few things that the experts seem to think are indicative of imminent collapse.

-Smoke pushing through mortal joints or exterior finishes. If you can see smoke going through the nails on a roof, things have already gotten bad for the structure.

-Floors or walls that sag.

-Wood frame structures. They are light and pretty much all fuel. It doesn't take much to bring a new house down.

-Extreme or extended fire conditions. If fire is ripping through the roof or has extended to multiple large portions of the structure, it may be time to go defensive.

-Overloading crews on the roof. If a building is already being compromised, don't put more stress on it than you need. In gear, we average probably 250 lbs each. And I promise, that's being generous to an awful lot of fellas.

-Fire on load bearing members of the structure. These are walls that hold buildings up. If they go, so does the section of the building they support.

-Sudden breaking of glass on doors or windows on their own.

-Poor structural condition to begin with. Every area has shit that should be or already is condemned. The fact ia that these are the buildings that tend to go up in flames. We on the job just need to recognize added hazards that accompany these structures.

-Intuition. Follow your gut. If something just feels wrong, you owe it to you and your partner to speak up and keep safe.

-Creaking or moaning in a building. Loud cracks or sounds. These are death rattles of a building's integrity sometimes.

-Unsupported walls.

-This doesn't just affect aggressive interior fire attack either. On the defensive end, keeping out of the collapse zone which is one and a half times the height of the building is important. A building falling on you is just as deadly outside the structure as it is inside.

-If you do find yourself caught in a collapse and find yourself in a void space, keep your head together, use your radio and commence mayday procedures.

First Post

I officially have started blogging. Real information will be up soon.