LARGE AREA SEARCH CLASS

 

 

 

In the month of February 2006, the Portland Fire Department conducted department-wide training on Large Area Search techniques.  The Department realized there was a need for specialized equipment and training with the numerous large commercial buildings located in the city       (i.e. supermarkets, warehouses, office buildings, churches, etc.)

 

Training was conducted at the vacant F.W. Webb building on Pearl Street.

The training consisted of 2 hours of classroom and 5 hours of hands-on scenarios.  The scenarios included simulated searches for civilians and or down firefighters / Rapid Intervention Team (RIT). The Department also experimented with a new style of RIT bag equipped with a new air system.   Wax paper was used inside the Scott masks to create a near zero visibility condition.  The large area search kit / equipment consisted of a system of ropes with knots and metal rings at designated lengths. 

The instructors for the class were; Lt. Keith Gautreau, Capt. John Cannon, FF Chris Tillotson, Lt. Shawn Neat, and Capt. David Jackson.

 

 

Large Area Search Videos:Remember when you watch these videos that the people wearing masks cannot see what they are doing and do not know where the victim is.  The victim is wearing a PASS alarm that helps the search team locate them by sound.  Once they have found the victim they must decide on the best way to bring the person to safety. 

Because of the weight of the victim with their gear and equipment, combined with the lack of visibility and distance to the exit, the teams usually do some form of RIT drag.  In order to accomplish this, the waist strap from the air pack is moved from around the waist to between the legs.  This prevents the pack from being pulled off during the extrication. 

The team must also decide if it is better to immediately go for the exit, or change the victims air supply over to the portable RIT air bottle.  The team members listen to hear if there is air moving in the victims mask, and for the low air vibration alarm.

The person who is not wearing a mask is the instructor/safety.  He is watching out for safety of the crew, the victim, and things like the computer desk that don't need to be searched/knocked over.  Occasionally you will see him stopping the scenario for brief moment to ask questions or point alternatives.

 

 
 
Video 1 

Watch this team and you will see how the team members use a rope to find their way out, and to measure (using pre-tied knots at known intervals) their distance into the building.  These rescuers utilize 2 people to move the victim, one person pushes on hands and knees as the other drags from the shoulder straps.  The 3rd member keeps tension on the rope so that it can be effectively used to guide egress.  Notice how they take a moment to assess the victim and adjust the straps prior to movement to prevent problems during the escape.

 

Video 2In this second video, one crew runs into problems as the scenario has the victim tangled in ropes.  This can happen in a building as wires and ceilings drop down on top of a victim ensnaring them.  The crew (who cant see the ropes due to the training masks) is told by the instructor (the person not wearing the mask) that they are not allowed to cut the rope as they might do in a real situation, and they must figure out how to get them untangled.  The crew realizes that this is going to take more time than they can afford on their air supply, and so they quickly change out the air supply on the victim while calling for a second crew.  When the second crew arrives and takes over, you can hear the Lt. giving a situation report to the arriving Capt. before they make their escape. 

Video 3In Video 3, the crew starts along a wall and then hears the PASS alarm activate perpendicular to their present course.  They quickly decide to swing the rope, and all move sideways and start walking towards the alarm.  The Lt. is in the lead with the rope bag and is checking the floor for obstacles and holes using a tool.  This crew decides not to use the 2 person drag; instead one person drags by the shoulder straps as the other guides him with one hand on his pack and the other hand on the exit rope.  When the evolution goes quicker than expected, you see the instructor lean down and purge the air from the tank causing the victims bottle to empty.  The crew then decides to use the RIT air bottle before proceeding further.  After they change over to the new pack, you can see the original air regulator hanging down as the RIT regulator is now attached to the mask.  You can see a FF holding the RIT bag containing the bottle as they finish dragging the victim to safety.     

 As the week of training progresses, the rescue times get quicker.  After training the different teams who have completed the training go back to the firehouses and give others tips prior to their own scenarios.  Everyone wants other people to do well and learn as much as possible, especially because that other team may some day be coming for them.