Searching Smarter2013Q2 Deputy Chief Skip Coleman – Toledo Fire & Rescue

Chief S. Coleman (ret.) - Bio Skip has retired as Assistant Chief of the Toledo Fire Department where he served for over 32 years. Skip is currently Technical Editor for Fire Engineering Magazine and is on the FDIC Educational Advisory Committee. Skip teaches throughout the United States and Canada. Information contained within this presentation was created by Chief S. Coleman. Chief S. Coleman (ret.) - Bio

Today’s Search We miss rooms We miss corners We miss the center of rooms We take way too long to search We search in the wrong places We spend too much time searching where only “dead” people could be Continuity of Search not Maintained

Continuity of Search Continuity of Search – Assuring that a Search is being conducted in a logical un-interrupted manner. Entails knowing where we have searched, where we are searching now, where we will search next and when the entire area has been covered. Even when we find and remove victim(s)

The Oriented Search 1) The Safety of the Search Team The Oriented Search Defined: A Method of Search That Utilizes One “Oriented” Man (Team Leader) and One or More Searchers “The Oriented Search Is a Method of Search That Allows for Focus to Be Split Into Two Directions: 1) The Safety of the Search Team 2) The Actual Search

The Oriented Search Advantages to the Oriented Search Safety of Crew Maintained at All Times Searchers Allowed to Focus on Finding Victims - Not on Hose Lines or Ropes Searches Conducted Faster. More Lives Saved Continuity of Search Maintained Dis-Advantages to the Oriented Search Requires a Lot of Concentration on the Part of the “Oriented Man”

The Oriented Search in Detail

The Oriented Search in Detail The Oriented Search Is Based on “Focus”. One Member, Called the “Oriented Man” (Usually the Officer) Has As His or Her Sole Focus the Safety of the Crew. He or She Maintains Constant Awareness of Three Things: The Entire Crews Whereabouts The Fire Conditions in the Area The Location and Progress of the Searchers and the Search

The Premise Behind the Oriented Search One Firefighter focused on: How to get in and how to get out (that’s why we don’t change positions) Fire Safety of Crew Where will we search first, where have searched, where are we currently searching and where we will search next The searchers are focused on Searching and can “fly” conducting their search knowing that someone (the Oriented Man) is looking out for their safety.

Two types or variations of the Oriented Search: Modified Search

Three Things Necessary for Oriented Search. “Bread and Butter Fire” The Oriented Search Three Things Necessary for Oriented Search. “Bread and Butter Fire” Proper Positioning of Oriented Man Communication The Direction of Search: Left Handed Right Handed Left off Hose Line - Commercial Right off Hose Line - Commercial

The Oriented Search How It Works - Oriented Man and Searchers Enter Structure Oriented Man Leads Way and Memorizes How They Get in and How to Get Out. Locates Area to Be Searched Searcher Enters Search Area – Tells Number of Walls and Direction of Search

The Oriented Search How It Works - Crew Communicates As a Searcher Searches, the Oriented Man Locates Next Room to Be Searched - Checks Search Area for Changing Heat and Smoke Conditions and Area Behind Search Area When Searcher Is Finished, Oriented Man Leads Searcher to New Area to Search

Oriented Man Designed for Residential Fires – Single and Multi-family occupancies Can be Modified to Work in Almost any Occupancy Type Work off hallways – sleeping area (first or second floor) Work off of stairway or other point on first floor

Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

Where Should the Oriented Man Position Himself?

One Firefighter Searches The Oriented Search is based on One Man Searches The word “Oriented” comes from the fact that the Oriented man must remain aware of his whereabouts and the conditions around him The Searcher must be aware of where he is. The first thing in conducting a One Person Search is determining the number of walls in a Room and the Direction of Search

Walls Learn how to count them!

Search Patterns

Search Patterns

Search Patterns Rooms Within a Room!

Search Patterns Odd Shaped Rooms!

Modified Oriented Search Oriented Search vs. Modified Oriented Search Only One Oriented Person and up to Three Searchers. Used when Search Area / Rooms are Small and Communications are Effective. Advantage – Faster Search – More rooms covered at same time

Modified Oriented Search Oriented Search vs. Modified Oriented Search Teams of Two with One Oriented Man and One Searcher. Used when Search Area is Larger. Advantage – If distances are great , Communication is improved.

The Incident Commander & The Search Officer

Command Officer Responsibilities The Incident Commander Should Prioritize When Search Operations Are to Begin

Search Officer Responsibilities The Search Officers Hands Should Not Be Sweeping Under Beds and in Bath-tubs. IMS and All Tasks on the fire ground Should Be Based on “Focus”. The Command Officers Task Is to Focus on the Incident! The Search Officers Should Focus on the Search.

Search Strategy There Are Two Basic Search Strategies Primary Search Secondary Search The Difference Between the Two Is the Condition of the Possible Victims That You Are Looking for.

Search Strategy A Rapid Systematic Search to Locate Savable Victims. There Is Always a Logical Place to Start and a Logical Place to Stop a Primary Search. There Is Also a Time Frame Beyond Which Search Should Not (or Need Not) Be Conducted Any More. A Slow Methodical Search to Look for and Locate Dead Victims.

Reading The Building For Search Where to start and stop the search How to get in Finding the way up if required 12’ Almost 6’ D/O Berg says “Choose the right tool for interior search.”

Where to Search First The First Task in Search Is to Determine Where to Search First and Where to Search Last. The Rule Is: Normally Start the Search As Close to the Fire As Possible, Where Savable Victims Could Be and Then Work Out and up From There. The Exception to This Is When The Fire Is on the First Floor and the Time Indicates That Savable Victims Are Above the Fire or Night Time Fires in Two Story Homes.

The Way Into A Building Under Most Circumstances, Search Should Follow the Hose Line Into the Building. Normally Attack Is Assigned First Assure a Line Between the Fire and the Search Team

The Way Into A Building Once in - Where Will We Start. Conditions Dictate We Start Near the Fire. Follow Line in and up to Attack Crew and Work Back and up (If Applicable) Conditions Dictate We Start Above the Fire. Locate the Stairway If Possible From Outside Follow Line in Find the Stairs

Reading The Building For Search Critical Factors In a Two Story Home – the Location of the Stairs. In a Ranch – the Bedrooms. Business Establishments. Know Your Buildings. Ranch Style 2-Story Style

How Long Is too long?!?

Primary Search Time Frame There Is a Time Frame Beyond Which Search Should Not (or Need Not) Be Conducted Any Longer. Human Physical Factors Apply Moral Factors Apply Common Sense Applies

Primary Search Time Frame Under IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) Conditions, a Primary Search should be conducted for no more than approximately 15 minutes. That Is the Duration of 1 SCBA Bottle. Humans Can Only Survive With 15% O2 for 4 to 6 Minutes and at Temperatures of Less Than 180 Degrees. We Will Give Victims All the Benefit of the Doubt for 15 Minutes. Search Officers Must Gauge Their Search With This Maximum Time Frame in Mind.

Searching With a Hose Line

Searching a Multi-Family Structure Apartments – Tenements Work hallways. Normally, no hose line or rope necessary. “Rescue” group a must if occupied.

Searching a Multi-Family Structure

Searching a Multi-Family Structure

Searching Nursing Homes

Searching Restaurant / Night Clubs

Searching Restaurant / Night Clubs Restaurants / Night Clubs / Bars; Hose line is recommended. Rope lines are difficult to control and may get “stuck” on furnishings. Try not to “throw” chairs and tables around. Keep an orderly search area.

Searching Commercial Occupancies Oriented man stays with the “oriented point” (whatever that is) except to take quick “sorties” to check the fire or to check searchers (rooms off of rooms). Oriented point should be constant and non-movable if at all possible.

Do you see the down firefighter in this image? tn72043009 Presentation shared by Snohomish County Fire District 7