When firefighters attend structure fires they may sometimes face situations that demand instant actions to save a life. It may be that a trapped occupant is hanging from a window with a heavy smoke condition, or even flames, exiting from behind them. In this case it is essential that a ladder is raised to enable an immediate rescue of persons trapped in such a way. If the trapped occupant is out of reach of available ladders then an immediate attempt might be made to reach them from an interior position. The moral dilemma sometimes faced by firefighters is one where there are confirmed reports of occupants trapped inside a burning structure and the rescuers are being placed into a situation where there are great expectations from members of the public that they will commit themselves immediately to a search & rescue attempt.

Rapid Deployment
In the UK Fire Service there is a procedure termed 'rapid deployment'. This procedure is aimed solely at allowing a quick entry by SCBA (breathing apparatus) wearers under exceptional circumstances, where manpower resources are limited on the initial response and a dedicated BA Entry Control Officer is not immediately available. This procedure is reserved for situations 'where persons at great risk require very urgent assistance, or where dangerous escalation of the incident can be prevented'. The Rapid Deployment procedure must be adhered to even under the most urgent 'snatch rescue' attempts. These procedures may be used only when the total number of SCBA wearers does not exceed two; and; it is immediately clear that persons are at great risk and in need of rescue, and are either within view or known to be within a short distance of the entry point; or; dangerous escalation of the incident can be prevented by immediate and limited action.

Moral Dilemma
The concept of placing firefighters into a situation whereby they are faced with the 'moral dilemma' of committing themselves at some great risk in an attempt to rescue known (confirmed) occupants MUST be avoided at all costs. SOPs (standard operating procedures) are generally written in such a way to prevent firefighters being exposed to the moral dilemma and should be followed at all times. In the process of ensuring this occurs, the following rules should be complied with -

 

1. Approach every fire with a charged hose-line

2. Work as a team and launch firefighting operations from a 'safe zone' or 'protected area'

3. Ensure that the rescue team are under close supervision and within radio contact before entering the risk area

4. 'Take the fire first' where possible

5. Isolate the fire wherever possible (ie; close a door to the fire room of origin) whilst effecting a rescue

6. Where a 'snatch rescue' is attempted without a hose-line in place follow the 3 person snatch rescue procedure below

Three Person Snatch Rescue
The concept of effecting a 'snatch rescue' without a charged hose-line is a three person task (minimum). It is a LAST RESORT. This approach utilizes the third person (officer) as a door control firefighter. We are taught to monitor fire conditions prior to entering a fire compartment/area and this entails observing smoke movements including the rising and falling of the neutral plane; 'pulsing' smoke conditions; rapid inward air movements and high velocity smoke exiting an opening etc. The purpose of the door control firefighter is to (a) closely monitor the above conditions; (b) implement risk control measures where possible by reducing the opening of the doorway to slow air movements in towards the fire; (c) observe any sudden changes in conditions or sounds from within the compartment such as crackling fire, or breaking glass (windows), flaming in the overhead etc, which may denote that conditions within are fast approaching flashover; and (d) evacuate the two person 'snatch rescue' crew immediately where conditions demonstrate such changes.

There are key actions that firefighters who are placed into this unfortunate situation should take.

1. Get a confirmed and reliable report that there is definitely occupant/s inside.

2. Try and ascertain their most likely location.

3. It might be that a window access (VES Vent-Enter-Search) is better than an external door?

4. Size-up the fire situation .... and the viability of live occupants remaining.

5. ISOLATE THE FIRE if possible .... close all doors as you pass them and make a point of locating all doors that might separate the first floor from the second and close these off if possible, before ascending the stairs.

6. Stay low where the air is clearest.

7. Utilize the protection of your PPE.

8. Use all your senses .... listen for fire .... listen for occupant/s .... look at the smoke velocity to guide you on the extent of the fire's development .... the faster the smoke is moving the more dangerous is the interior .... look for warning indicators such as rising and falling smoke layers etc ....

9. Try and get a good look at the layout from the exterior on entering .... know where you are heading for .... note any possible exit points in case of emergency ....

10. Only vent a window as a last resort .... it may well increase the burn rate and allow the fire to develop quicker than you anticipated. 

DOWNLOAD THE SNATCH RESCUE SOP HERE

Paul Grimwood

'TAKE THE FIRE FIRST' - ARTICLE HERE