By Mike Mason
In the fire service, it has been ingrained in us that almost every structure should be searched for civilians. The decision making related to the presence of occupants and their rescue is one of our main fireground responsibilities. Such a dangerous task requires extensive training, sound size-ups, and drawing on related search experience. Every search differs from one residential fire to another. To ensure that we save lives and protect our firefighters, we must consider the following:
Consider the above basic principles and techniques in deciding whether to commit firefighters to search any structure’s interior. Once they come across a victim, they face the additional challenges of rescuing him, which may mean moving a victim through a high-hazard environment, risking depleting their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air, and becoming confused and disoriented as they position and move the victim.
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