The stress of dealing with a trapped firefighter can never be underestimated. Tension levels can be high, but it's always important to maintain operational discipline.

Some of these operations will involve trapped members after the fire is extinguished or during the overhaul stage of the fire.

Al Ronaldson, a firefighter in FDNY's Rescue Company 3, was killed in 1991 after the main body of fire was knocked down and the firefighters were exposing pockets of fire.

Al was a seasoned, very knowledgeable senior firefighter when an unexpected collapse of the floor, due to an illegal renovation, occurred. It showed how incidents could happen at any time during the fire. On a personal note, this was not only a tragic loss for the department and Al's family and friends, but for the entire fire service. Al, like all the brothers who have made the supreme sacrifice, will not be forgotten.           

Locate hole
The first action to take after a firefighter has become trapped due to a collapse is to locate the hole where they fell through. The second step is to establish communication with the firefighter if possible.

We then want to determine the cause of this opening that the firefighter fell through. Is it an existing opening such as a trap door, a vent grate or perhaps a stairwell? What caused the collapse — was it fire or non-fire related? You must determine the stability of the area near and around the opening. We must secure it if not secured to prevent secondary collapse and possible injury to the rescuers. The minimum amount of personnel should be used, but with maximum supervision.

Once communication has been established with the trapped firefighter, presuming they are conscious, we must send other rescue personnel to seek an alternate means of accessing them. Try to continue communication at all times with the trapped firefighter if they are able to communicate with members on the fireground.

After locating and establishing communication, try to get a rescue firefighter into the hole as soon as possible. This can be accomplished by using a ladder, rope or a hose line — whatever is near and available at the time. Having a hose line available at or near the hole can help extinguish fire and alleviate some of the problems for both the trapped member and the rescue firefighters.

Assess conditions
The member entering the hole should assess conditions in and around where the trapped firefighter is located. There may be fire, high heat and a heavy smoke — these conditions may have to be rectified to buy some time for the trapped firefighter.

When entering the hole, the rescue firefighter should first check whether there is still air in the trapped member's SCBA and if a spare mask is needed. Find out if the trapped member is pinned, and request the necessary tools to extricate them as quickly as possible and determine the removal method. A great tool to take with you as part of your FAST/RIT kit is a battery operated 24v sawzall with a bi-metal blade. This tool is easy to carry, lightweight and can be used in small spaces.

There are many techniques developed for the removal of trapped firefighters. Among the issues to take into account are the conditions in the area, the size of the member trapped and the distance of removal. Other factors to consider are the location of the trapped firefighter in the building, rescuer fatigue and available tools. The member may have to be carried or dragged, and a ladder, long board or stokes may be needed for removal.

We may have to deploy ropes, and construct rope rescue systems or use a rope to drag the firefighter. A simple 2:1 mechanical advantage system can be used to expedite removal, a simple one can be carried in your coat pocket.

The first thing rescuers should do before removal is convert the SCBA assembly into a harness to prevent the mask from being pulled off the firefighter during removal. Unbuckle the waist strap and then secure around the trapped firefighter's right or left leg. You have now converted the SCBA into a harness.            

Removal procedures:

Two Man Push Pull: First convert the SCBA into a harness, and loosen right shoulder strap which will be used for pulling. The other firefighter who will be doing the pushing will put the downed firefighter's right leg on their right shoulder or vice versa with the left. Try to push above the trapped firefighter's knee, and stay low if the conditions are punishing.

The 2:1 M/A Pocket Come-Along: All you need to build this system is a piece of rope. Secure the end of the rope, convert the downed firefighter's SCBA into a harness, and attach the rope to the SCBA frame. All you have to do now is pull in a straight line; this is effective when moving a downed firefighter horizontally. You can also use a 2:1 M/A to lift a firefighter out of a hole as well. I realize easier said than done, but with practice you can master these procedures.

Hose line Lift: To rapidly remove a fallen firefighter who has fallen to the floor below, you can use a hose line to assist in the removal. Position the nozzle at the top of the hole, make a loop in the hose and push it down into the hole. A rescuer can ride the hose line down to the downed firefighter. The rescue firefighter should place the hose under the arms of the downed firefighter. Members above can now pull both ends of the hose out of the hole, with the rescue firefighter guiding the downed member up and out as members above lift.

Stairway Operations: The removal method will be dictated by the layout of the stairs — u-return, straight run or L shaped. It could be possible to package the downed firefighter and remove them via a stokes basket, long board or SKED device. A rope and harness or a diaper harness or LSP can be effective as well for removal. This will also depend on stair and landing configuration.

There are many other techniques that can and have been used. There are techniques that you or your department may have developed that are effective as well. Whatever procedures you use, make sure everyone in your department is proficient in using them.  

Drilling on these techniques has a special meaning — they are designed to save one of our own. Always continue to train in the techniques that will allow you to remove or rescue a trapped firefighter so that when the opportunity arises you will be able to handle the task.