SOP 205.11 FIREFIGHTER LOST/TRAPPED SURVIVAL

The following are basic guidelines for fire fighters to follow if they become lost or trapped in a building:

The nature of fire fighting places the fire fighter at risk of becoming lost or trapped. The toxic environment provides only a narrow window of survivability. Survival depends on a mix of predictable self survival actions by the lost fire fighter and the incident commander.

BASIC SELF-SURVIVAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The rescue of trapped or lost fire fighters in a burning building is especially time sensitive. There is a very narrow "window of survivability" for a fire fighter who is out of SCBA air supply or trapped by approaching fire. Individual fire fighters must not delay reporting to command if they become lost, trapped or in need of assistance. Company officers must also not delay the reporting of lost fire fighters or inability to complete accountability reports. Command and sector officers must always assume that the missing fire fighter is lost in the building until he or she can be accounted for. Command must also restructure the strategy and action plan to include a priority rescue effort.

All crews entering the Hazard Zone must have a portable radio. Minimum crew size is two and crew members must remain intact. Crews must have an assignment and must be working under the direct supervision of a Sector Officer or Command.

CALL FOR HELP IMMEDIATELY

Fire fighters who find themselves lost or trapped must immediately use "May Day" to announce their situation while they continue to attempt to find their way out. Fire fighters should not delay notification of distress. Notifications should occur as soon as the fire fighter THINKS he or she is in trouble.

Delay compromises the window of survivability. Lost fire fighters should give command information as to who they are, how many fire fighters, what sector they were operating in, where they THINK they are (as accurately as possible), description of building structures surrounding them, sounds of nearby activities, (i.e., ventilation saw noise), or any other information that might direct rescue crews ( RIC) to their location. Lost fire fighters must activate the portable radio emergency button.

"MAY-DAY" RADIO MESSAGE

The radio message "May-Day" will be used by a lost or trapped fire fighter to report their status as being in trouble and needing rescue. Any member may use "May-Day" to report a lost fire fighter. Any report of "May-Day" will receive priority radio traffic followed by the emergency traffic tone. The term "May-Day" will be reserved ONLY to report lost or trapped fire fighters. The term "emergency traffic" will be used to report other emergencies.

OTHER RADIO CHANNEL

If a lost fire fighter can not contact Command, dispatch, or any other units on the assigned radio channel, the fire fighter should go to another channel to attempt contact and declare an emergency. Channel 6 (dispatch) is preferred. It's important to find any channel that works. Once communication is established remain on that channel and messages will be relayed to Command.

ACTIVATE PASS DEVICE

As soon as a fire fighter recognizes he/she is lost or trapped, the PASS device must be manually activated to sound the audible tone. The device must remain on until rescued. If the device interferes with the lost fire fighters communicating critical radio messages to incident commander or rescuers, the device may be turned off temporary. Once messages are completed, the device must again be manually activated.

CREWS STAY TOGETHER

Members that separate from each other make it difficult for rescuers to find all fire fighters. Crew members that stay intact as a crew enhance their chances for ALL being rescued and allows easier, more efficient extrication.

FOLLOW THE HOSE OR LIFELINE OUT

Crew members should stay with the hoseline (or lifeline) and follow it out whenever possible. All fire fighters must remember that the female side of the couplings lead toward the nozzle (the fire), male side of the couplings toward the pump (outside). The hoseline should always be treated as a safety line to the outside. Where lifeline ropes are in use, follow the lifeline to the exterior.

SEARCHING FOR AN EXIT

A lost fire fighter should always attempt to get out of the building by whatever means possible. Where doors, windows, or other egress is not available, fire fighters should next attempt to reach an exterior wall.

Once at the wall he/she will be able to search for doorways, windows, and hallways that generally lead to the outside. Rescuers will first search hallways, around walls, and around windows and doors, before sweeping large interior areas. For this reason, fire fighters must avoid collapsing in the middle of open spaces. Getting to hallways, doors, or windows will increase the chances of being rescued early. These actions also provide predictable activities that will aid rescuers.

RETREAT TO A SAFE REFUGE

Where the fire fighter cannot find a way out, but there is a safe refuge (protective room or floor) away from the fire that the fire fighter can retreat to, he/she should take advantage of this location. Command and the rescuers should then be advised of the location by whatever means possible.

STAY CALM AND CONSERVE AIR

A conscious effort must be made by the lost fire fighter to control breathing. Unnecessary talking or physical activity must be ceased, unless absolutely needed. Fire fighters must control and pace their physical exertion activities in order to extend their SCBA air supply. If firefighters are in pairs, utilize the “Buddy-Breathe” on your SCBA.

HORIZONTAL POSITION

If a fire fighter cannot get out, he should assume a horizontal position on the floor that maximizes the audible affects of the PASS device. The fire fighter should attempt to take this position at an exterior wall, doorway or hallway that maximizes quick discovery by rescue crews.

FLASHLIGHTS/TAPPING NOISE

If assuming a position to await rescuers, the fire fighters should attempt to position his flashlight toward the ceiling. This will enhance the rescuer's ability to see the light and locate the downed fire fighter. If able, the fire fighter should attempt tapping noises to assist rescuers in locating him (i.e., hitting a tool against a metal roll-up door).

COMPANY OR SECTOR OFFICERS

Company officers or sector officers who are unable to locate a crew or fire fighters assigned to them, must immediately notify command and use "MAY-DAY" to notify all personnel operating on the fireground. When possible the company or sector officer should include who's missing, last known location, and actions being taken. Fire fighting positions must not be abandoned during the rescue effort and free-lancing must be controlled by the Company and Sector officers. Command will initiate a rescue effort.