Search Line Tactics

[FireCritic]

I am creating Search Line Training for my Fire Dept. I am wondering if you all can give me some insight as to what type of rope, tag lines, marking lights etc. your Fire Departments use. We are going to be using some of the ideas that I learned from Tim Sendelbach and Fred Endrikat. I have incorporated other ideas also. The training will be taught so that our Firefighters will know how to use it for Searching as well as RIT operations. I would like to share ideas as well as learn other new ideas and innovations.
I cannot decide whether a strobe light, a big flash light, or a corded light (brighter) will be the best illumination at the point of entry.
Should each Firefighter on a Search or RIT team be illuminated by a strobe?
What do you all think.




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My new question is should the individual Search Lines be marked somehow so FF know which Search Line they went in on? Much like the idea of having different colored hose lines. I think that a simple colored marker at the point of entry or the anchor point outside the structure could identify each different Search Line. I am thinking of in case you had a large building with several entry points and the lines may criss cross etc. Or in case the Search team is lost we will know which line they were on.


What do you think?
A simple colored ball or marker?
Dip the end of the Search Line in liquid rubber( that hardens)

Let me know....







Rhett Fleitz
FF/EMT
Roanoke Fire-EMS
13-B

[firescot]

In the United Kingdom we mark each Search Line at the point of entry, which is always in fresh air.

They are marked with a letter A or B as only two search lines can be used through the same entry point, and they cannot go in the same direction, one may go in a left hand search, and the other in a right hand search.

We also use Entry Control Officers whose role is to monitor crews entering a building in Breathing Apparatus, and keep a note of where they were deployed to, and also when their Low air warning whistle on their sets should go off.
If they do not exit by the time of whistle, we instigate a Breathing Apparatus emergency procedure, which involves sending in a rescue team who will check with the Entry Control Officer where the team should be, and then make their way to that location.

Our procedures have been adopted due to lessons learned in the past from incidents where Fire crews have been injured, some fatally, and are designed to ensure maximum safety for fire crews.

These procedures may seem very rigid and prescriptive, but can be totally justified by the extremely low loss of life we have in the UK whilst using Breathing Apparatus.

In my opinion, the more control measures you have in place in relation to the deployment of crews and their equipment and procedures they adopt, the safer fire crews will be, and the more capable they will be of doing their job to the best of their ability.

This may involve a huge change of culture in the US, but I guarantee if even some of these measures are put in place, the amount of firefighters being injured, or worse at incidents will be greatly reduced.

[CFD Hazards]

Try getting in touch with Mike Bates of the Providence Fire Department. He teaches RIT with the guy in Pittsburgh. His crew has come up with a way of using retractable dog leash type devices as search ropes. I assume you attach the holder to the door or entry and you hold the other part in your hand. When you want to get back you let the rope guide you back.

[firescot]

We tried these retractable personal lines which were used to attach onto the search line, but found that, after heavy use, the spring mechanism began to fail and they became a hindrance, rather than a benefit.

If you can get ones that can withstand the constant punishment, then they are great!

[FireCritic]

Retractable Tag Lines

This is a picture of one such device. Philly Rescue 1 made this one. I have not found one that is super duty yet, however these will work. The only problem with them is the wear and tear. I know of a company that is working on a superduty model. I will let you know as soon as they offer this product. Keep on with the ideas. This is the only way that it will get easier and better.

The device shown is a retractable cord reel turned into a Tag Line.
The way this is done is to take apart the reel. Take off the cord and the catch(that keeps it from retracting). Then reattach a small diameter rope and Re-reel the spring. There you have it. Attach a beaner and have at it.

[firetrux21]

I just went to truck school in Fairfax County, and some of the guys that taught our RIT section are FFX career but are also from Traditions Training. We personally had Rickey Riley (FFX/Chief 33-Kentland) and Capt. Brooks (FFX) teaching different sections. We had a great RIT class and I know one of Traditions forte's is RIT. Check them out...there's a link on www.kentland33.com. Yes, this is the same Chris Mitchell from St. 4 in Chesterfield.

-Chris Mitchell
HVFD 1
FOVFR 21

[FireCritic]

Hey Pal

Thanks for the info Chris. I was not aware they had a web site(traditions). Where are you at now? Let me know. Feel free to email me at [email protected] I work for Roanoke City Fire-EMS. Drop me an email.

[dufferfbfb]

Lighted Rope

After going through Tim's course last year, one of the guys came up with a cheap, light weight version of the lighted rope, which if you have been around them, are quiet heavy. He took a roll of heavy gauge plastic tubing and strung small christmas lights through the roll. It can't be used in all situations due to the inability to withstand heat, but in cold smoke, large area searches, such as warehouses or other comercial buildings it will work great. The idea can be expanded upon by alternating a colored strand every so many feet as a reference or using different colors for line for identification.

[Firegrafix]

If you are looking for a searchline. I found this one at an expo.
I used it once in a RIT class, the instructor had it. It worked good. We are looking into purchasing one. It can be found at saftservices.com. I think they even provide training with the device