Whether you are lost or trapped in a fire, you should always transmit a mayday message.
Being lost in the fire building can lead to being trapped by fire or collapse as the blaze progresses.
Time is not on your side and unless members operating are disciplined enough to continue their duties, there may be delays in extinguishing the fire.
Upon the transmission of the mayday, all members operating at the scene should continue their duties while the incident commander directs units or members to locate the missing member.
Just putting out the fire may improve conditions and alleviate some of the problems and tension that arises when radio transmissions are received from a missing firefighter.
The guidelines discussed in this article will be under the assumption the firefighter who is missing is conscious and able to communicate. Next month’s column, on trapped firefighters, will cover the operational procedures of locating and removing unconscious firefighters.
There are many points to consider when dealing with a missing firefighter, and the procedures outlined here will benefit not only the incident commander but other members operating at the fire, too.
Communcation needed
The most important points relate to communications. The handi-talkie network must be controlled by the incident commander, allowing dialogue between them and the missing firefighter.. Members operating at the scene must maintain radio discipline, keeping their transmissions limited to mayday and urgent messages only.
While some members of the fire service believe a separate radio channel should be established to allow the rescuers or RIT/FAST Team to have open communications between themselves during the locating and retrieval of the missing firefighter, I don’t.
Unless the incident commander has access to another radio at the scene to enable them to monitor the established additional radio channel for the rescue team, he/she will have no idea of the progress of the operation and no way to communicate additional information to the rescue team.
Command presence is essential during these operations in order to avoid freelancing and having undisciplined members with good intentions leaving their area of assignment.
This can and may add to the existing problem. Remember brothers, I was once a firefighter — I know what you are thinking.
Unless you are a chief or have operated as an incident commander at a major operation, you can never be quite sure what we are thinking and what our strategic objectives are.
The incident commander should always consider requesting additional personnel to respond as there will be gaps that need to be filled. At the very least, you must designate a new RIT/FAST Team since you have probably assigned them to the missing firefighter.
Air problems
Consider stretching an additional hand line — it may be needed to directly assist in gaining access to the missing firefighter. A spare SCBA should be available and brought with the rescue team in the event the missing firefighter is low or out of air. There are mask devices available to firefighters today that are dedicated in addressing problems of low or no air in a missing firefighter. Other tools that should be carried by the rescue team during the operation are a TIC and a search rope.
The first step in locating the missing firefighter is to ask questions that will assist in finding them. Use a calm voice when communicating with them; screaming or talking too fast will result in unintelligible transmissions. Misunderstood or garbled communication will result in a delay in finding the missing member.
Have the member turn on their PASS device. Ask them where they were operating in the occupancy. Department SOPs can also assist us; designated positions with designated duties will allow us to approximate where the missing member should have been operating.
Their position, such as forcible entry team, outside ventilation or roof team can give us an idea of where they can or should be. If the member was operating a hose line and became disoriented or detached from the line, this information can assist in working out where they may be.
During this time, continue to gather information from the missing firefighter, asking questions such as what floor and side of the building they are on.
Ask if they are alone or with anyone else, such as a victim or another firefighter. Ask how they arrived to their point of operation. Did they enter through the main entrance or did they enter from a ladder through a window? Ask the firefighter what they hear. Can they hear the saw operating venting the roof, do they hear forcible entry or vent, entry and search noises? Can they hear a hose stream operating in their vicinity? This is always reassuring to the missing firefighter.
What is in the area they are lost in? Bedroom furniture or kitchen appliances can give us a good indication of their location. If the building is a commercial occupancy, ask the firefighter if there is stock in the area or if there is office furniture such as desks.
Basement areas
Members assigned the task of locating the firefighter should bring a search rope and TIC. The rope is useful in basement areas, maze-like areas and large commercial areas with large open spaces. The search rope can also assist in speeding up the removal of the firefighter because it will lead you back to the way you entered the structure.
Remember to always manage stairways needed for removal and access and egress from the structure. We do not want members clogging up the path of removal and delaying getting the firefighter outside of the structure.
The TIC will also assist you in locating the firefighter as well as identify problematic areas when accessing the area they are in. The TIC can also assist when exiting the area once the missing member is found. Always consider an alternate point of exit – do not always depend on going out the way you came into the structure.
Always use and practice your basic search techniques that you were taught in training school; the search rope may not be available and the TIC can malfunction at anytime.
During the whole operation the incident commander should maintain communications with the missing firefighter. Reassure them and let them know help is on the way. Maintain control of the radio network, and only mayday and urgent messages should be transmitted.
Tell the missing member to remain where they are because if they start to move to different areas, it will hinder rescuers in locating them. If the lost firefighter does find their way outside to safety, they should communicate this information immediately to the IC.
Fire and rescue operations in the structure should continue to be carried out even while the search for the missing firefighter is carried out.
The fireground is dangerous enough — the element of a lost firefighter brings danger to another level. If you are lost, try to remain calm and notify your officer or the incident commander of your plight.
Do not delay in relaying this information to the IC as delays could cost you your life. The faster you transmit the problem, the quicker help will be dispatched to assist you.
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