THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF FIRE SERVICE INSTRUCTORS Electronic INSTRUCT-O-GRAM Program “Safety Engine” RIT Search Operations Part 1 “Safety Engine” RIT Search Operations Part 1

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Training Objective Following this segment, the student will be able to describe the appropriate actions to be taken when lost / trapped within a structure and the proper search techniques to be utilized during a Safety Engine / RIT deployment.

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Performance Objectives Identify ten (10) self-survival steps to be followed when lost / disoriented or trapped in a structure Identify eight (8) most common cues utilized to locate a lost / disoriented / trapped firefighter. Identify five (5) most common Safety Engine / RIT search techniques used to locate a downed or missing firefighter Describe how the search for a downed firefighter differs from a search for a civilian Identify ten (10) self-survival steps to be followed when lost / disoriented or trapped in a structure Identify eight (8) most common cues utilized to locate a lost / disoriented / trapped firefighter. Identify five (5) most common Safety Engine / RIT search techniques used to locate a downed or missing firefighter Describe how the search for a downed firefighter differs from a search for a civilian

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Steps to Self Survival 1.Stay calm, preserve your air supply 2.Stay with your partner or crew 3.Initiate MAYDAY / Activate emergency distress button -U - Unit -C – Conditions -A – Actions -N - Needs 4.Activate PASS 1.Stay calm, preserve your air supply 2.Stay with your partner or crew 3.Initiate MAYDAY / Activate emergency distress button -U - Unit -C – Conditions -A – Actions -N - Needs 4.Activate PASS

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Steps to Self Survival 5.Monitor radio / update command 6.Use flashlight to signal rescuers 7.Use tools or debris to alert rescuers 8.Attempt to locate an exit – seek area of refuge 9.Go down steps (unless in a basement or sub-floor) 10.Assume defensive posture 5.Monitor radio / update command 6.Use flashlight to signal rescuers 7.Use tools or debris to alert rescuers 8.Attempt to locate an exit – seek area of refuge 9.Go down steps (unless in a basement or sub-floor) 10.Assume defensive posture

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ When Searching for a Lost / Trapped Firefighter 1.Identify their last known location 2.Trace hose lines into the area 3.Examine building for structures described by lost / trapped firefighters 4.Listen for PASS alarms 5.Listen for SCBA low-pressure alarms 1.Identify their last known location 2.Trace hose lines into the area 3.Examine building for structures described by lost / trapped firefighters 4.Listen for PASS alarms 5.Listen for SCBA low-pressure alarms

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ When Searching for a Lost / Trapped Firefighter 6.Listen for shouts, tapping, breathing, etc. 7.Listen for portable radio broadcasts -FAR Technique “Feedback Assisted Rescue” 8.Look for flashlight beams 6.Listen for shouts, tapping, breathing, etc. 7.Listen for portable radio broadcasts -FAR Technique “Feedback Assisted Rescue” 8.Look for flashlight beams

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Safety Engine / RIT Search Techniques Oriented Search Tethered Search Tag Line / Team Search Vent-Enter-Search (VES) Thermal Imager Search Oriented Search Tethered Search Tag Line / Team Search Vent-Enter-Search (VES) Thermal Imager Search

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Oriented Search Officer Search Crew

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Oriented Search Search team gets lost less frequently, if at all Firefighters do a better job of searching Firefighters are more at ease and confident Search team gets lost less frequently, if at all Firefighters do a better job of searching Firefighters are more at ease and confident Advantages to the Oriented Search Method

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Oriented Search Must maintain communication between officer & search crew Direction of search must be determined Number of walls must be determined Must maintain communication between officer & search crew Direction of search must be determined Number of walls must be determined Critical Safety Factors This type of search should be limited to small / medium size structures

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Tethered Search Technique Type I

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Tethered Search Technique Type II

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Tag Line / Team Search Search Rope –7/16” – 3/8” diameter, 200’ or longer with directional knots every 20’ Personal Tag Lines (Branch Lines) Floodlight or Spotlight Portable Radios Air Supply Search Rope –7/16” – 3/8” diameter, 200’ or longer with directional knots every 20’ Personal Tag Lines (Branch Lines) Floodlight or Spotlight Portable Radios Air Supply The following equipment must be available:

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ 1.SE / RIT Sector Officer documents SCBA readings, entry times, and personnel assignments 2.SE/RIT officer places spotlight at entrance 3.Guideline is secured to stationary object 2-3’ above the ground, 10-15’ outside of hazard zone 1.SE / RIT Sector Officer documents SCBA readings, entry times, and personnel assignments 2.SE/RIT officer places spotlight at entrance 3.Guideline is secured to stationary object 2-3’ above the ground, 10-15’ outside of hazard zone Tag Line / Team Search Operation

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ 4.Enter the structure. Officer creates tie-off points and maintains proper tension on guideline. Command shall be advised of search team locations (“Knot 7”) 5.Officer assigns crewmember to connect and initiate circular search 4.Enter the structure. Officer creates tie-off points and maintains proper tension on guideline. Command shall be advised of search team locations (“Knot 7”) 5.Officer assigns crewmember to connect and initiate circular search Tag Line / Team Search Operation

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ 6.Crewmembers commence with 360-degree search, reporting when 180-degrees have been completed 7.Search crew reports findings and returns to guideline for further instruction 6.Crewmembers commence with 360-degree search, reporting when 180-degrees have been completed 7.Search crew reports findings and returns to guideline for further instruction Tag Line / Team Search Operation

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ 8.Upon locating downed firefighter, search member is to notify Sector Officer / Command of Location 9.Upon confirming location, Command shall direct two or more firefighters to follow guideline to specified knot and initiate rapid extrication of downed firefighter. 8.Upon locating downed firefighter, search member is to notify Sector Officer / Command of Location 9.Upon confirming location, Command shall direct two or more firefighters to follow guideline to specified knot and initiate rapid extrication of downed firefighter. Tag Line / Team Search Operation

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Sample Tag / Team Search

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ NOTE: This technique should not be initiated while positive pressure fans are in operation. It’s absolutely essential that search crew members immediately locate the door and isolate the room to prevent potential fire spread. Vent – Enter - Search

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ Vent – Enter - Search

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ TIC Search Point – To – Point Method CEILING FLOOR

~ International Society of Fire Service Instructors ~ TIC Search Oriented TIC-Lead Search Method