Flagler County Board of
Education, Training Division
Rapid Intervention and Fire Fighter
Safety and Survival
By
Gerard P. Forte
Captain
Palm Coast Fire Department
CREDITS GO TO...
• Firehouse.com “Firefighter Survival Tactics” by
John Salka Jr.
• Staff of Firefighter Rescue Inc. to include John
Norman, John Salka, Fred Eendrikat, Paul
Hashagen, Bruce Newbery, Ray Maguire, Joel
Kanasky, Donald Rowan, Frank Fee, Mark
Frappied. Firefighter Rescue and Survival School,
2003. Clearwater Beach, Florida.
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Credits also go to...
• Fire Engineering, “Ten Commandments of a Safe and
Effective Search” by Robert Moran; August, 2002.
• Fire Engineering.com “Fire Fatalities in 2002” By
USFA.
• “Firefighter Survivability” at
www.ci.vancouver,wa.us/vfd.
• Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute at www.mfri.org
• Staff and members of the Palm Coast Fire
Department.
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Primary Search
• Conducting a safe and effective primary
search is one of the most dangerous fire
ground operations you will be asked to
carry out during your firefighting career.
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Primary Search
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•
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•
•
Search with a partner
Conduct a size up
Carry a tool and light
Use proper PPE
Ensure people know
where you are
• Have a plan
• Stay in contact with a
wall
• Control the door
• Monitor fire
conditions
• Remain orientated
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Primary Search
Search With a Partner
• When you have a partner, you can quickly
communicate your every move to the very
individual who undoubtedly will play a
major role in ensuring your safety.
• Allows for a great deal of tactical freedom
relative to the methods and techniques used.
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Primary Search
Conduct a Size Up
• A thorough and effective analysis of a burning
structure prior to making entry is one of the
most valuable tools you can use to ensure your
safety on the fire ground.
• Information such as secondary access and
egress points of the structure, the location of
trapped victims, window locations, and
laddering points will give you the opportunity
to develop a mental picture before entry.
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Primary Search
Use of Proper PPE
• Fire ground safety starts with you.
• Materials made today burn hotter and
produce more dangerous toxic gases than
ever before.
• If you are issued PPE, wear it. If it was not
issued to you, you would not go into a
burning building.
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Primary Search
Carry a Tool and Hand Light
• Every firefighter, when conducting a
primary, must carry a tool. It will not only
aid in searching, but will assist in saving
your own life.
• Use a hand light that allows for “hands
free” work. It is difficult to work and hold a
light.
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Primary Search
Control the Door
• Whether you are attempting to maintain
control of a door to provide the engine
company with a coordinated entry by
confining the fire, giving firefighters an area
of refuge, or to give yourself time to
complete your search, control all doors.
• Automatic garage doors strings must be
pulled to eliminate accidental door closure.
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Primary Search
Have a Plan
• This strategy should be developed while at
the fire academy, practiced throughout your
career,and promoted by your peers.
• Thinking alike, as a team, will increase the
efficiency and safety of the operation.
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Primary Search
Stay in Contact with a Wall
• It is highly improbable that firefighters will be
familiar with the interior of the building
involved in fire.
• Residential structures typically follow repeated
patterns, ie., Ranch, Split Level, Colonial, etc.
• Commercial structures are more complex.
Detailed Pre Fire Planning eliminates the
unknown and allows for accurate
accountability.
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Primary Search
Ensure People Know Where You Are
• Without knowing where the interior search
crews are, IC cannot effectively direct
placement of ladders, stretching of back up
lines, venting the structure, and most
importantly, the deployment of RIT teams.
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Primary Search
Monitor Fire Conditions
• Continually reevaluate the smoke, heat and
fire conditions in which you or others are
operating. Monitoring the rapid change in
conditions will allow for quick removal of
you and your partners from a hostile
environment.
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Primary Search
Remain Orientated
• Personnel must become familiar with their
location within the building by identifying as
much as possible any object they come in
contact with.
• Beds will be in bedroom, toilets will be in
bathrooms, couches and tables will be in living
areas.
• This allows for our immediate identification
within the structure.
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Primary Search
• Primaries get more dangerous when staffing
shortages, inadequate equipment and
deficiencies in training are thrown into the
mix.
• These guidelines will reduce the chances of
being affected by these concerns, keep you
safe, and assist you in conducting an
effective primary search.
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According to USFA
• In 2002, 102 firefighters died while on duty
in the United States.
• The loss of life was felt directly in more
than 86 communities, in 35 states.
• 20 Firefighters died in wildland incidents.
• 37 were Career Firefighters while 65 were
Volunteers or seasonal.
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According to USFA
• 2 Central NY F.F.s died trapped in a
basement.
• 2 St. Louis F.F.s died trapped in the interior
of a burning business.
• 3 NJ F.F.s died in a burning residential
collapse.
• 2 Florida F.F.s died in a training exercise.
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According to USFA
• Half the Firefighters that died on duty died
of traumatic injuries.
• 11 died of asphyxiation.
• 2 died of burns.
• 3 were crushed
• 36 died as a result of trauma from a vehicle
crash.
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According to USFA
• Heart Attacks continue to be the leading
cause of firefighter deaths, killing 31
Firefighters in 2002. This represents almost
one third of the 2002 total.
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Case Study
• Lt. John Nance, Columbus Ohio. 1987
• Fell in a hole in the floor and dropped to the
basement.
• Other firefighters can touch him, but not pull him
out of the hole.
• A ladder was used, he could not get himself out.
He kept trying but he has hitting the floor above.
• Heavy smoke conditions were present as a result
of an oil burner fire.
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RESULT
• Hand Cuff Drill or Love Knot
• If the downed Firefighter is alert and oriented,
they can make the knot in the hole, apply it, and
be pulled up by the rescue crew above them.
• If unconscious, a Firefighter can be lowered via
the rope to the victim and place the rope around
downed firefighter’s hands hands. The rescuer is
lifted out after the victim is safely removed.
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Handcuff Knot
• DEMONSTRATE the method used to make
the knot.
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Handcuff Drill
• Rope is lowered to an
awaiting victims.
• It is either lowered to
a conscious, or applied
by a rescuer.
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Handcuff Drill
• Several rescuers can
then pull the victim
up. At least 4 people
should be used to
remove the victim.
• The more the merrier.
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Handcuff Drill
• Lifted straight up.
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Handcuff Drill
• A carribeaner can be
used to center the
victim in the through
the hole.
• That would eliminate
the problem of getting
the victim over the
edge.
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Case Study
• Mark Langquist - Denver Fire Department 1990.
• Commercial Structure with active fire.
• 2 story rear, one story front, brick veneer office
building with wood interior.
• Fire was set in multiple areas on first and second
floor.
• There was a partial floor collapse behind him and
he could not get out the way he entered.
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Case Study
• He was lost and trapped and was low on air.
• He was able to signal for help with his
flashlight.
• He was at the end of a hallway with a
window. Windows had bars.
• The hallway was 11 feet long and 28 inches
wide due to the cabinets and shelving units.
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Case Study
• The Window and the Firefighter –
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–
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20 inches wide
The sill was 42 inches off the floor.
He was 6’1” tall and dressed in full turnouts
Weight was approximately 250 - 300 lb.
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Case Study
• What happened?
• Rescue team after rescue team entered the
structure by ladder, only to find they could
not lift the downed firefighter over the
window sill.
• The firefighter was never left alone.
• After 50 minutes, he was dead and was
removed by breaching the wall and
removing the cabinets.
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Case Study
• End Result:
– They were never able to get him over the
window sill!
– They returned to the location afterwards to try
other methods of removal. Same circumstances,
they were never able to remove a firefighter in
less than an hour.
– They needed to develop new skills and
techniques for lifting a firefighter in a confined
space.
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The Denver Drill
• Single Rescuer – Crawls over the victim to his legs.
– Readjusts themselves to allow the victims legs
to be raised in the direction of the window sill.
– The victim is then pushed to the window, feet
first.
– Rescuers outside then pull the legs while the
interior firefighter lifts from the shoulder straps
of the air-pack.
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The Denver Drill
• The window is 42” off
the floor.
• 23” wide
• At the the end of 28”
hallway.
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The Denver Drill
• Victim is found head
first by a window.
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The Denver Drill
• Head at the base of the
window, the victim
exhausted trying to get
out the window.
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The Denver Drill
• The rescuer enters the
window low, over the
victim.
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The Denver Drill
• After the victim is
placed in a supine
position. The feet are
raised and raised to the
window.
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The Denver Drill
• The body is bent,
naturally, to begin the
roll out the window.
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The Denver Drill
• The rescuer then grabs
the neck of the air
bottle and the belt
strap and begin to pull
upward, toward the
awaiting firefighters
outside.
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The Denver Drill
• The rescuer then
advances the victim
high, using the bottle
to help roll.
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The Denver Drill
• The rescuer uses the
bottle to continue the
role out the window.
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The Denver Drill
• The victim is given off
the outside rescuers.
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The Denver Drill
• 2 Rescuer – Both Firefighters enter over the victim. One
rescuer pulls the victim to a seated position
with their arms, the second rescuer sits at the
base of the window approximately 6 inches off
the wall (behind the victim).
– The first rescuer pushes under the legs of the
victim, while the second rescuer pushes upward
with their legs.
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The Denver Drill
• A rescuer sits behind
the victim and uses
their legs as a pivot
point.
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The Denver Drill
• The other Rescuer
then pushes under the
victims legs, while the
second rescuers lifts
the victim in a rocking
motion.
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Where does this lead to?
• OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.134
– Physical evaluation and annual face piece
fitness testing.
– Minimum 2 personnel whenever FF team is in
an IDLH environment.
– A rescue team must be available to rescue FF
team.
– FF team may begin SAR for known victims
without a rescue team in place.
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Where does this lead to?
• NFPA Standard 1500, Chapter 6
– Minimum of 2 personnel available whenever
FF team is operating in an IDLH environment.
– Rescue team must be ready to rescue FF crew;
should not be performing other duties.
– FF Team may begin SAR for known victims
without rescue team in place.
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Concept of the Rescue Team
• Minimum of 2 personnel with sufficient
training and equipment to perform rescue of
other firefighters.
• Team should be positioned to be readily
available when needed.
• Team should not be performing any other
functions such a pump operations or
position of Incident Command.
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Rescue Team Equipment
Requirements
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•
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•
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Portable Radio or Radios
Forcible Entry Tools
Hand Lights
Rope Bag
Spare SCBA for quick swap out
Charged Hose line
Ladders at Upper Levels for Possible Egress
• Thermal Imager
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Risk Management Philosophy
• Alan Brunacini, Fire Chief; Phoenix, Az.
– “1 - Risk a lot to save a life”.
– “2 - Risk a little to save property”.
– “3 - Risk nothing to save nothing, the property
is already lost”.
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Personal Items
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Personal Alert Safety Systems:
– Should be checked periodically.
– Operator should know how to operate in
manual mode.
– Battery should be replaced periodically.
• Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.
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FULL PPE…Always!
•
•
•
•
Helmet?
Tools?
Hose line?
Where is the ladder
placement supposed to
be?
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Buddy System
• Always Work in Pairs.
• Stay in Contact with Each Other:
– Visual
– Voice
– Physical
• Share Senses:
– Hearing, Seeing, and Feeling
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Scene Safety Zone
• Hot Zone - Area of immediate danger. High
IDLH. Can contain toxic gases, possible
explosive or fire hazard, potential structural
collapse, vehicular instability; full PPE is
required.
• Warm Zone - Adjacent to the hot zone.
Buffer between hot and cold zone.
Protective clothing required.
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Scene Safety Zone
• Cold Zone - Staging area; no protective
clothing required.
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Evacuation Signals
• Notification shall be done by radio; if
urgency is required, three blasts of the air
horns will be repeated until all personnel are
evacuated from the building.
• Command will have Station Tones sounded
to ensure all personnel are notified.
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Rehab Areas
• Command will have areas designated for
rehab and make them known.
• An Advanced Life Support medical unit
will be on location to monitor personnel
after leaving the hot zone.
• Safety Officer will be made aware of any
personnel needing additional assistance.
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Firefighter Safety and Survival
• PCFD Standard Operating Guideline
– Accountability
• Checking in and tag system or Riding Lists.
Apparatus must have all personnel accounted
for, command will receive apparatus
designation each morning at shift change.
• Each Firefighter will have 2 ID tags.
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Firefighter Safety and Survival
• Accountability con’t.
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Officer Controls the Crew
Crew Works in a Team
Officer Directs Work
Reports Details on Progress to Command
PAR Reports Given in a Timely Interval
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Command Controls Operations
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Orders Specific Tasks in Specific Areas
Communicates with Officers
Assigns Sector Commanders
Gets the BIG PICTURE
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Radio Designation
– Command establishes working channel(s) to
assign crews work.
– Engines will be designated as a working
company. E-211 is pumping to the fire…211 is
the inside crew. Tower is on scene. Tower 2 is
working as O/V. RIT 1 or RIT 2
– Officers will be designated as assigned; safety,
rehab, interior command, etc.
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Radio Designation con’t.
– Fire Building Exposure Designation
•
•
•
•
Front of the building is “A” side.
To the left is the “B” side.
Rear is the “C” side.
To the right of the front is “D” side.
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• May Day
– Definition
• An immediate call for distress by a
firefighter in imminent danger.
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• When would you call a May Day?
• Firefighter is unconscious or suffering life threatening
injury (most important).
• You are aware that a firefighter is missing.
• Firefighter is trapped. This is transmitted by themselves or
a witness.
• An indication of possible collapse or structural collapse
has occurred.
• Fire has cut off a firefighter.
• Firefighter lost in smoke.
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• May Day Procedure
– “May Day, May Day, May Day”
Engine_______to Command May day”
– Command will clear all radio traffic.
– Command will immediately contact the May
Day to determine firefighter’s condition.
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Command will ascertain...
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Where you are operating?
What Floor?
Front, Middle, or Rear?
Who were you with and what is their
condition?
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Command will Ascertain…
– How did you get there?
– What doors did you use?
– Fire Escapes?
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Can You Hear Anything?
– Is a saw going or windows breaking out?
– Can you hear firefighters forcing a door?
– Do you hear fire apparatus running?
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Can you feel anything around you?
– Are you on tile or rug?
– Do you feel a bed or a sofa?
– Can you see or feel office cabinets or or are you
in the warehouse area.
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• What is your Air Supply
• What are your Fire Conditions
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Firefighters Safety and Survival
• Command will then develop a 2-prong
attack to find or assist the firefighter.
• The firefighter must remain where they are.
• The firefighter must activate the PASS
devices and listen for the RIT Crew.
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MAY DAYS
• SOMEONE IS MISSING WHEN
THEY CAN NOT BE LOCATED.
• ESTABLISH CONTACT AND CANCEL
THE MAY DAY.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Personal Survival Tips
• Communicate “May Day”.
• Activate Emergency Button on Radio (if
available).
• Shine light on ceiling or out windows.
• Turn PASS device on manual, let it ring.
• Consider personal survival techniques.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Interior Wall Breaching
• Locate wall studding.
• Locate the space between the studs.
• Push forcible entry tool through wall to be
certain the wall is able to be breached, and
where you are going is better than where
you are.
• Force hole every 6 inches and clear out just
enough to clear you and the air pack.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Interior Wall Breaching
• Locate the wall studs.
• Push a forcible entry
tool through the space
between the studs to
check the next room.
• Make holes enough to
get your body through.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Interior Wall Breaching
• The studs may be too
tight to pass.
• Low profile or air
pack removal may
have to be used.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Interior Wall Breaching
• Conditions are so that
you need to breach a
wall, try to get through
the hole without
removing the pack.
• TIME, TIME, TIME.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Low Profile Wall Passage
• Size up the area to pass.
• Loosen the belt buckle and remove the right
shoulder strap extending it as it is removed.
• Shift the belt buckle to the right and place the
bottle under the left armpit.
• Move through the obstacle, and return the air pack
to proper donning. (You may have to lean to the
right to drop the shoulder strap into position.)
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Low Profile Wall Passage
• Loosen the shoulder
straps and belt buckle.
• Remove the right
shoulder strap and
slide the regulator to
the right.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Low Profile Wall Passage
• Place the bottle under
the left arm and
proceed through the
wall opening.
• Continue through to
allow for your partner
• Return to proper
position.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Air Pack Removal
• Loosen both the shoulder straps on the SCBA.
Disconnect and extend the belt buckle.
• Remove the air pack off the right shoulder and
bring around the back to the left side. NEVER
RELEASE THE LEFT SHOULDER STRAP.
• Pass tools, radio, and helmet through the
opening.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Air Pack Removal
• Place the air pack in front of you and advance
it through the opening. Keep the regulator
close to your mask.
• Lay on the floor and use your arms and feet to
maneuver through the opening.
• Place the air pack back in proper position and
continue.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Air Pack Removal
• Loosen the air pack
straps and disconnect
the buckle and extend
it.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Air Pack Removal
• Remove the air pack
off the right shoulder
and NEVER let it out
of your left hand.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Air Pack Removal
• Pass tools, helmet, and
radio through the
opening.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Air Pack Removal
• Place the air pack in
front of you and slide
the bottle regulator last
through the opening.
• Lay on the floor and
use your feet and arms
to pull you through the
opening.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Air Pack Removal
• Don the air pack when
you clear the opening.
• All your equipment
should be directly in
front of you.
• Gather and advance to
allow your partner
room to pass through.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• A - Airway; ensure the
firefighter is able to
breath. If they still have
air, reposition head to
allow for air movement.
If air is depleted, get
more air or remove mask.
If they are out of air, they
will suffocate with the
mask on their face.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• B - Buckle; remove the
belt buckle and wrap
around the right leg of
the downed firefighter
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• C - Chest Strap; secure
the chest strap by
tying the tabs in the
center. An overhand
safety knot can be
placed on the shoulder
strap to keep from
slipping.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• D - Drag the
firefighter as far as
you need, to get to an
area of refuge.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• Floor Drag - 2 Person
– First rescuer pulls the downed Firefighter by
the SCBA strap, headed in the direction of the
area of refuge.
– Second rescuer lifts the right leg of the victim
and places it over their left shoulder. The
rescuer then pushes the victim like a tackling
block.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• Stair Drag - 2 person
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• The rescuers arrive to
the bottom of the
stairs.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• Both Rescuers then
grab the SCBA
should straps and are
pulling upward with
the straps.
• The downed
firefighter is placed
on the second stair
by both rescuers
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• The second rescuer is
below the victim with
the legs of the victim
over their shoulders.
• The second rescuer is
thrusting upward.
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Personal Survival /Evacuation
Firefighter Drag
• This is done no more
than 2 steps at a time.
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• Baltimore FD
• Heavy Black smoke is
thickening as a
firefighter enters a
room for a quick
search. Ladder is in
the proper location
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• Rushes to the window
as the smoke turns to
flame
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• The room ignites.
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• Jumps into the arms of
a brother,
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• Safely out of the
room.
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• Find the ladder at the
base of the window.
• Bail out and guide
yourself out with your
feet.
• Advance yourself rung
by rung.
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• Insert your arm
through a rung and
lock in at the elbow.
• Reach ahead to the
next available rung
with the opposing
hand.
• Control the descent
with your feet in the
higher rungs.
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Personal Survival / Evacuation
Ladder Bail
• Throw your head over
short arm side of the
ladder, your feet will
go the opposite
direction.
• Slide around on your
hip until you find the
ladder.
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Rapid Intervention Teams
• Definition - A Standby unit, specifically
dedicated to protecting committed fire units,
operating at a scene should the unexpected
occur.
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Rapid Intervention Teams
• IT IS TOO LATE TO LEARN RAPID
INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES WHEN
A FIREFIGHTER BECOMES LOST!
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Rapid Intervention Teams
• Missing, Injured, or Trapped Firefighter.
• May Day
• Collapse, Flashover, Backdraft, Explosions
Extending Fire Conditions.
• Sudden fire extension threatens operations
unit.
• The unexpected may not have anything to
do with the fire.
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Sudden Fire Extension
• Typical Residential
Job.
– Heavy smoke from the
front door.
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Sudden Fire Extension
– Thicker black smoke
builds
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Sudden Fire Extension
–Flash
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Sudden Fire Extension
– The Engine has not yet
arrived.
– Consider a bystander
(cop) could have tried
a rescue.
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Sudden Fire Extension
– Total involvement in
seconds.
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Could this be unexpected?
• What was he assigned
to do?
• Where was the ladder?
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VERY UNEXPECTED!
• Who is going to do the
work of the guy on the
bottom?
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What will this do for the rest of
the operation?
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RIT Crews
• RIT is not a new idea. For years they have
been incorporated in other areas of the fire
service.
– Haz-Mat
– Confined Space
– Back up hose line
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RIT Crew
• We are more likely to encounter a
dangerous environment at a structure than at
a confined space or Haz-Mat Call.
– SAR at a house fire requires immediate
attention. We automatically enter the
environment if life is in jeopardy.
– Haz Mat requires distance monitoring for
safety.
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RIT Officer
•
•
•
•
Must report to the command post / ops post.
Maintain information updates on operation.
Maintain team control.
Monitors communication.
– RIT will not be involved in work that requires
commitment, as they must be able to hear all
radio transmissions.
Property of GPF Training Associates
RIT Officer
• Standby Mode
– Requires deep-seated discipline. Has to keep
control of the event while others want to enter
the scene.
– Must get the team in standby mode after RIT
assignment/rescue is completed.
Property of GPF Training Associates
RIT Tools and Equipment
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Portable radio or radios
Forcible entry tools
Hand lights
Rope bag
Spare SCBA for quick swap out
Charged hose line
Ladders at upper levels for possible egress
Thermal imager
Property of GPF Training Associates
Size Up for the RIT Team
• Building Type:
– Wood frame or block.
– Residential or Commercial.
– Sprinkler or non-sprinkler.
• Time of Day:
– Middle of the night at a residence.
– Mid-day at a factory.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Size Up for the RIT Team
• Initial Report
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What was the call dispatched as?
What was the initial fire report?
What was the condition when IC took command?
The RIT leader can then analyze progression of the
fire?
• Smoke Color
– Black, white, colors? Is it changing.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Size Up for the RIT Team
• Fire Location
– Basement.
– Attic.
– Bedroom.
• Placement of the ladders
– All egresses have a ladder at the window.
Ladder to the roof.
• Exposures
– The potential fires
Property of GPF Training Associates
Size Up for the RIT Team
• Hose-line Placement and Availability:
– How many lines, where are they going, who is
on them?
– Which apparatus are supplying the lines?
– Is the water supply adequate for the flow?
Property of GPF Training Associates
Other Functions for RIT
• Set ladders at windows before they are
needed.
• Foot ladders.
• Set jacks for aerial apparatus.
• Move hoses into position to protect
firefighters.
• Short assignments that can be completed
quickly.
Property of GPF Training Associates
RIT Can Set a Ladder and Return
to Standby Mode
• Good ladder
placement!
Property of GPF Training Associates
RIT Can Set a Ladder and Return
to Standby Mode
• RIT can throw a few
ladders in a small
period of time with
little effort and
commitment.
Property of GPF Training Associates
RIT Can Foot a Ladder and
Return to Standby Mode
• RIT can foot the
ladder so firefighters
can safely enter the
building. Again, not a
long commitment.
Property of GPF Training Associates
RIT Can Defend a Ladder and
Return to Standby Mode
• RIT can quickly hold a
fire in check when
firefighters are
descending on a
ladder.
Property of GPF Training Associates
RIT Team?
• Lots of people on the
roof, but no ladder.
• If they are pulling the
ceiling on the first
floor, was there fire?
Property of GPF Training Associates
What is This Firefighter Saying?
• Put down the camera
and get me a ladder!
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
• “One of the most effective ways to survive
the hostile environment and dangerous
conditions encountered at interior structural
fire operations is to prevent yourself from
getting into a serious life threatening
predicament in the first place!”
John J. Salka Jr.
BC FDNY
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
• Just thinking about what you are doing and why you are
doing it can have a tremendous effect on most fire ground
operations.
• NOT Thinking, but just performing certain tasks because
you have been instructed to do so, is a dangerous way to
go through your firefighting career.
• If you don’t know why you’re performing a function or
tactic and you run into trouble or can’t complete a job, you
won’t know what the consequences are to yourself or the
other firefighters on the scene.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
• Every action you take, every tactic you
employ and every move you make on the
fire ground should be well thought out and
understood.
• If you know what to do but don’t know
why, ASK at an appropriate time!
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
• There are literally hundreds of activities
going on at working structural fires.
– Engine Companies - Search and Rescue,
stretching hose, laying supply, operating master
streams, advancing to interior fires, etc.
– Ladder Companies - Search and Rescue,
forcible entry, ventilation, overhaul, etc.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
• There are some tactics that firefighters can
take at all fire operations to reduce their
chances of being injured in sudden
dangerous occurrences or getting into a
situation that they are not able to escape
from.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
• There are FIVE basic tactics that, if
performed at every interior structural fire
operation, will dramatically increase a
firefighters chance of surviving the
operation.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
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Staying Oriented
Staying Low
Monitoring Conditions
Monitoring the Radio
Staying Calm
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Oriented
• Simply put, this means knowing where you are,
where you came from, where you are going and
how to get out rapidly at any moment.
• Many firefighters killed inside structural fires just
got lost. They may run out of air frantically
searching for a way out, panic and rip their mask
off, or fall into a shaft / opening.
• The importance of knowing exactly where they
are inside a burning building is paramount in
assuring their survival when things go bad.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Oriented
• There are several levels of orientation to be
understood before a firefighter can truly
know where they are at any given time.
• First is the general location within the
building. What floor are we on? What
section of the building.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Oriented
• The second level of orientation that must be
understood is the room layout that the
firefighter is operating in.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Oriented
• The third level of orientation a firefighter
must realize is their exact location in the
room.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
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Staying Oriented
Staying Low
Monitoring Conditions
Monitoring the Radio
Staying Calm
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Low
• One of the biggest mistakes made by
firefighters today is not getting down on the
floor when operating at fires.
• Advancing hose into a structure or
beginning SAR operations. Firefighters
operating inside structural fires are much
safer when they take a position close to the
floor.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Low
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Where is the heat?
Where is the smoke?
Where is the fire?
Common sense should tell you to stay as
low as possible to operate in the most
conducive atmosphere where the heat and
smoke conditions will be at their lowest
levels.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Low
• Visibility - Should be at its best lowest to
the floor.
• Visibility - Most victims found inside
burning buildings are found on furniture
such as beds and couches or on the floor.
• Rarely documented instances show victims
of fire standing up in the room! They won’t
be there!
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Low
• A firefighter that is suddenly exposed to
high heat or flame spread in a room will
have those few extra seconds to think and
react …if they are low to the floor.
• The same firefighter standing up will be
severely exposed and burned if the upper
atmosphere they are in ignites.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
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Staying Oriented
Staying Low
Monitoring Conditions
Monitoring the Radio
Staying Calm
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• Many of the firefighters who are injured or
killed at interior structural fire operations
were never aware of the dangerous
conditions they were in until it was too late.
• Being aware of the conditions around you
inside a burning building is vital to a
firefighter’s survival.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• Awareness is not just taking note of the
obvious happenings.
• It is the deliberate monitoring of every
possible condition that could suddenly
increase:
– Increase in Heat.
– Decrease in Visibility.
– Direction of Travel.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• The actual monitoring of conditions begins
with the dispatch call. What did it sound
like when the initial call came in?
• It then progresses to the on scene arrival
reports from the company officer, followed
by the incident commander.
• How did it change? What variables are now
progressing?
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• Monitoring conditions can be a very
localized tactic that may vary from floor to
floor and room to room inside a structure.
• For this reason, every firefighter must be
continuously performing this tactic while
operating inside.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• Basic Observations– Smoke behavior, movement.
– Smoke density and fire is simply watching the
level of visibility immediately upon entering
the building. From there, is it
• Improving
• Worsening
• Staying the same
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• If conditions are remaining the same as you
advance towards the fire, you can continue
to advance and monitor.
• If you are advancing and conditions are
becoming more severe, you must begin to
consider other factors such as heat levels
and the direction from which the heat and
smoke are coming.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• Monitor Heat Conditions
• Knowing how hot it is will not only help us
decide whether or not to enter an area but it
will be a deciding factor of when we may
have to evacuate or retreat from an area.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• This is a tremendous area of concern.
Firefighters are accustomed to operating in
high heat conditions. Our protective
equipment does well in insulating and
protecting us from that heat.
• How do we know how hot hot really is?
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• A way to check the heat in a structural fire
operation is to reach up into the area
overhead and make a very tight fist with the
gloved hand.
• This allows the glove to tighten around the
back of hand and knuckles and allows the
heat to penetrate to some degree onto the
firefighters hand.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• Another method that is not recommended is
to partially remove the back of the glove to
slightly expose the skin to the temperature
in the room.
• This can be dangerous as it is partially
removing the glove to expose skin…a
violation of safety and frowned upon by
standards and safety.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• Whatever method you employ, monitor the
heat conditions that you are operating in and
under in order to give yourself those few
extra seconds to retreat to an area of refuge.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
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Staying Oriented
Staying Low
Monitoring Conditions
Monitoring the Radio
Staying Calm
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring the Radio
• Portable radios, when worn by firefighters
at interior structural operations, give that
member a direct audible connection to
every other member on the fire ground that
also has a radio.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• The fire ground “network” allows
firefighters to transmit important
information from their area of operations to
other firefighters or to Incident Command.
• This also allows Incident Command to be
informed of rapidly changing events.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• From a survival point of view, a radio may well be
the one piece of equipment that makes the
difference between the life and death of a trapped
or disorientated firefighter.
• It is not uncommon for firefighters working in
teams to become disorientated or separated from
from each other while operating under extreme
conditions.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Monitoring Conditions
• If a firefighter does become lost,
disorientated, or suddenly confronted with a
dangerous condition, they can immediately
call for assistance if they are radio
equipped.
• Now the IC can ascertain the floor ,
building side, fire condition and firefighters
major difficulty instantly.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
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Staying Oriented
Staying Low
Monitoring Conditions
Monitoring the Radio
Staying Calm
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Calm
• There are as many different types of people
in the fire service as there are in every other
walk of life.
• Some firefighters react excitedly simply by
hearing about or being assigned to respond
to a working fire.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Calm
• Mastering the tactics such as Staying Low,
Staying Oriented, Monitoring Conditions,
and Monitoring the
Radio will do absolutely
nothing for the firefighter
who panics.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Calm
• Being excited while responding to and
operating at routine, non eventful operations
gives a pretty good indication of the
probable response this same firefighter
would have to a sudden dangerous situation
inside a burning building.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Calm
• A firefighter that panics will not be able to
remember the important steps that must be taken
to escape that situation.
• Instead, their mind will be racing through
hundreds of random thoughts with none being
brought to conclusion.
• All thoughts are probably good ones recalled from
training, but they are being replaced so quickly by
the next thought that no one idea is ever
completely acted upon.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Calm
• What we, as firefighters, need
to do is to be prepared to
insert ourselves into ongoing
and escalating emergency
situations with an eye towards
regaining control of the
situation.
Property of GPF Training Associates
Self - Survival Tactics
Staying Calm
When the fire department arrives with a calm,
professional attitude; they will…
• Become a conditioned response
• Will be demonstrated not only at routine
operations but it will be the automatic response for
all calls
• Training that firefighters will fall back on when
confronted with sudden hostile conditions.
Property of GPF Training Associates
“The difference between
'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
the chicken was 'involved' - the
pig was 'committed'.”
- unknown
Property of GPF Training Associates