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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on September 28, 2008 at 6:28pm

The best way to search in smoke or 0ther zero-visibility environment is to use all three methods - TIC, search rope, and tools. The TIC gives you the quickest and easiest way to find either victims or the fire, but TICs are not infallible. TICs will not see victims that have solid objects between them and the TIC. Think "victim in a closet" or "victim on the other side of an office divider" here. TICs can also fail, although this is rare. If you're in the middle of a box box and count on the TIC to get you out, if the TIC fails or the lens gets damaged, you're in deep, deep trouble. TICs may also not see a victim that is beneath a collapsed ceiling or other obstruction.

Search ropes help cover a lot of ground and give you a positive connection to the outside, but they're not infallible, either. If you're not carrying kevlar search rope intended for high heat, the rope may melt. Ditto for using nylon webbing as a secondary search rope. Search ropes are vulnerable to entanglement and snarling, especially if the crew isn't proficient in their use or is searching an occupancy with lots of obstructions. Search ropes are actually more important to get you out than to find the victim.

Tools are important regardless of whether you are using TICs, search ropes, or the old fashioned "Right Hand Search" (wall contact) method. If you need to open doors during a search, you may need tools. Doors can be warped by heat, door frames can jam down on a door due to sagging structural materials, or you may need to prop an interior fire door open so it doesn't drop and cut you off from your primary escape route. You may need to breach a wall to get out, or you may just need to extend your search team's reach in a large or open area. Don't take every tool on the truck, though. If you're carrying so much stuff that you can't move quickly, then you're not going to do a very effective search. That's also a lot of tools to lose if you have to bail out.

Don't forget a hoseline to back up the search team as soon as you can get it, lights - chemlights, flashlights, etc., and lots of ladder for secondary egress if you're searching above grade level.

Most importantly, have officers with eyes on 360 degrees of the structure and fire/smoke conditions at all times, and have RIT established near the entry the search team used. That will give the search team the best chance of an early warning if they need to get out, and to have help close by if they need assistance getting out.

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Permalink Reply by Rodney Beale on October 17, 2012 at 9:53pm

A good discussion - down here we do the following. 1. Each BA operator/firefighter carries a 6 metre x 6mm 45KG breaking strain guide line with clip hooks ( like dog lead ends) with one side serrated ( when connected to the main guide line - the serrated side faces the exit). 2. The crew have a guide line bag with the same 6mm 45Kg but 50 metre main guide line). 3. Usually a fire fighter also carries a 2 metre rope in their pocket at all times "just in case".

This gives the BA pair a radius of 2 x 6 meters for search and rescue from the main line, and the main guide line is tied off at approx 2 - 3 metres starting from the entrance. We also use a TIC, but as stated before, if the TIC fails, then back to basics applies. That way you don't get caught out. Follow the established search patterns and don't forget to communicate.  Also we use the BA tag and BA board system with a BA controller, which has been used for years in most British based systems including Australia. Of course the basic Situational Awareness applies - know where you are , SIZE UP before you enter. Communicate.

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Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on October 20, 2012 at 9:20am

 We only use a search line in large structures. Commercial buildings, schools, wearhouses etc.

   On a  fire we go strait to the seat of the fire and search out from there. Truck & squad guys do search. Engine guys spray water. 

  Our RIT team  always uses a line.

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