Large Open Area Retail Search Protocols
Commercial Building, Type II Construction, CA 1970, occupied by a retail/ drug store. 40,000 SF of area. Flat metal deck (Built-up) with steel bar joist. Deep seated fire located within the stock rooms (rear Charlie side). The fire occurs during a Saturday afternoon. The building is fully occupied with shoppers and store personnel. The store layout is typical retail with check-outs in the front, parallel rows of shelving at 90 degrees to the Alpha (street) side. ACT drop ceiling w/ void. There is questionable fire walls between retail store occupancies within the strip stores.

Give a fire in the rear of the store, that may be extending as suppression operations are being deployed and reports of unaccounted for civilians, the need for a primary search & rescue is assigned.

The question: How would you conduct a primary search operation within a large floor open area setting, under deteriorating conditions in conjunction with initial fire suppression activities?
What do you believe to be the limiting factors?
What kind of Large Open Area Retail Search Protocols would you use?
What are the safety concerns?
How much operational time are you going to project and why?
What contingents are you going to plan for?