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A primary search is defined as a fast paced, rapid and systematic search for survivable victims of a structure fire in an unknown layout, around objects and selected voids during initial stages of firefighting with expected zero visibility.
While the fire academy and the associated texts all teach directional anchored searching (stay on a wall or the heel of another firefighter while you search in one direction), new techniques and technologies have begun to offer other possibilities. The sites and video below are a quick sampled overview of this topic.
June 20, 2022
Anatomy Of The Search
Introduction: Search by the numbers
When we talk about search and rescue, it is important to look at the numbers of actual confirmed rescued victims. Understanding the statistics can give the first arriving units a major advantage, if they are aware of where occupants are likely to be found. Knowing where the occupants are located and the occupancy type (knowing your first due), will help in deciding which search type will be used and where people may be located.
View the statistics taken from actual rescues which occurred by clicking the picture to the left or Click for the full site
TIC Info - more detailed information can be found on its own training page.
Using the TIC during search Miami style.
It's not like drill night...it's different
Two resource publications on search from Firehouse Vigilance, a website by Corley Moore. BC Moore also hosts a weekly podcast called the Weekly Scrap. The books are pdf files and can be opened in a new window to make reading easier by clicking the arrow in the top right.
Book+of+Search+2024+(PDF).pdfWoS++PDF+12-2-25++FINAL+WITH+ADDED+REFERENCES.pdfBased on the title you may think the video below is a hour long talk on rescue, however, you may be suprised to instead hear how changes in engine work, hose and nozzle selection all factor into being able to effectively make rescue the objective at structure fires. Mindset is important but without the right tools and training, "can't means you won't".
Assorted search technique videos - what do you take away from these videos - they all have similarities but also differences. What technique or concept stood out to you?
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