a. Each search team shall consist of two firefighters who operate in a strict
"buddy system."
b. Search
teams will be designated as SEARCH followed by the COMPANY NUMBER followed
by a LETTER ("SEARCH-R-3-A").
c.
Personal gear. Each member of a search team shall wear a SCBA pack with PASS alarm and be in full turn-out gear.
(1) The SCBA mask will be worn and in operation and the PASS alarm activated when smoke of fumes are encountered.
(2) When the floor can not be seen because of smoke conditions, the team will crawl on hands and knees.
(3) When a SCBA bell sounds or ifone member of
the team must leave the structure, both members of the team shall leave
together, immediately.
d.
Equipment. The search team shall have with them:
(1) Portable radio:
One
(2) Hand lanterns: Two
(3) Haligan tool and ax:
One each, married together.
(4) Pressurized water-can fire extinguisher: One
(5) Safety line: One length
a. Provide forcible entry,
if necessary.
b. Provide interior ventilation as requested by
hose team or command.
c. Conduct thorough
secondary search for possible victims, fire extension, and other fire
location once situation is declared under control. At each scheduled
location, report progress and conditions to COMMAND.
d. In conjunction with a
hose team, open ceilings, walls, and concealed spaces as necessary, to
determine fire extension.
e. Commence salvage
operations as soon as practical.
f. The officer directing the ladder company operations shall remain
outside at a point of operations where he can supervise entry, laddering, and ventilation and evaluate the effectiveness,
particularly on exposures not visible to the ICO.
