IFSTA CH 10 Search

Question 1

types of hazards

Answer 1

air emergencies
lost/disoriented
entanglement
rapid fire development
collapse/trapped

Question 2

Determining Tenability

Answer 2

An untenable environment is not necessarily dangerous to life and health if the proper level of PPE is provided

The environment may remain tenable as long as there is no evidence of structural collapse and heat levels and duration of the interior operations stay within acceptable limits for the PPE and SCBA provided

Question 3

The environment of a structure fire or damage structure can change swiftly due to:

Answer 3

Sudden or unexpected fire spread and temperature increase within the structure

Loss of structure stability and possible collapse

Buildup of smoke and products of combustion

Question 4

Identifying safe havens

Answer 4

May be rooms or closet areas where the door can be closed to prevent the spread of heat, smoke and toxic gases into that space

Question 5

There are three key principles of air management:

Answer 5

Always know how much air you have left

Know your point of no return

Inform the IC if you must exit the structure

Question 6

Your point of no return is based on:

Answer 6

How much air is required to exit the IDLH

The lowest cylinder gauge reading of any member of the team

Your departments SOPs

Environmental conditions

Your teams physical and mental conditions

Question 7

Shelter in place - Take these actions to help rescuers locate you:

Answer 7

Remain calm and control your breathing

Get to an uninvolved, nearby room if possible and close the door

Shine a light through available windows to draw attention to your location

Continue to communicate on your radio, including information that might be useful to the crews trying to locate you

Activate your PASS device

Question 8

Reasons for air Monitors

Answer 8

Identify hazards

Determine appropriate PPE, tools and equipment

Determine perimeters and the scope of the incident

Determine if respiratory protection is needed at a trench, confined space or other technical rescue

Question 9

atmospheric hazards

Answer 9

oxygen enrichment or deficiency

flammability

toxicity

Question 10

oxygen enrichment or deficiency measured as

Answer 10

Measured as a percentage of oxygen in the air using an oxygen meter

Question 11

flammability measured as

Answer 11

Measured as a percentage of flammable gas in the air based upon the gas’s lower explosive limit using a combustible gas indicator (CGI)

Question 12

toxicity measured in

Answer 12

Measured in parts per millions of a toxic gas in the air using single gas or multigas detectors

Question 13

Oxygen Enrichment and Deficiency

Answer 13

Normal air contains 20.9 percent oxygen, 78.1 percent nitrogen and 1 percent other gases

Below 19.5 percent oxygen the atmosphere is considered oxygen deficient and IDLH, requiring use of supplied air such as SCBA

The atmosphere is considered oxygen enriched at concentrations above 23.5 percent, presenting an increased threat for fire and explosion

Question 14

Flammability

Answer 14

An atmosphere containing a flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower explosive limit (LEL) is considered hazardous

If monitoring equipment indicates the presence of flammable gases or vapors, responders must assume the atmosphere to be flammable or explosive

All nearby sources of ignition should be eliminated and consideration must be given to delaying entry into the area until ventilation reduces the level of flammable gas or vapors to below 10 percent of its LEL

Question 15

Combustible gas indicators Measure the amount of flammable vapors and gases in the atmosphere in one of these three ways:

Answer 15

Percentage of the lower explosive limit (LEL)

Parts per million (ppm)

Percentage of gas per volume of air

Question 16

Toxicity

Answer 16

Fire produce toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, in a structure fire assume toxic gases, vapors, fumes and particulates are present in a structure even after the fire has been extinguished

A typical 4-gas monitor will detect LEL, oxygen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide

Question 17

Equipment used to sample and analyze a potentially hazardous environment must be:

Answer 17

Accurately calibrated

Direct-reading

Capable of measuring the oxygen concentration

Question 18

Bump test

Answer 18

Is a calibration performed on air monitors being taken to an incident

Are performed before mounting an apparatus

Verifies the performance of the gas detector and ensures that the sensors respond to the correct target gas or gases in the correct amounts

Question 19

Zero Cal

Answer 19

Once at the incident, the firefighter responsible for air monitoring should perform a fresh-air calibration

Question 20

Personnel should accurately document monitoring, detection and sampling results:

Answer 20

Time of reading

Location and level of the reading

Reading obtained

Instrument used

Information downloaded from device if so equipped

Question 21

Before entering an IDLH area, prepare yourself and other members of your crew, you must ensure that:

Answer 21

You know who you report to

Your portable radio is turned on, working properly and set to the correct fireground channel

Your SCBA is turned on, working properly and contains a full cylinder of air

Your PASS device is turned on and working properly

You know your assigned duties and the tactical objectives of your crew

You are aware of the alternate means of egress from the structure

Question 22

Know the layout or floor plan

Answer 22

This knowledge may come from inspections, preincident surveys, architectural plans or personal observation

Question 23

Rescue personnel should carry a variety of tools and equipment when conducting search and rescue operations, examples:

Answer 23

Flashlights
Thermal imager
Portable radio
Forcible entry tools
Charged hose line
Rope for search lines
Ladders

Question 24

Thermal imagers (TI)

Answer 24

Allow firefighters to see sources of heat through darkness and thick smoke

Also used to locate victims and hidden fires

Identify temperature differentials on surfaces

Question 25

Using TIC during search and rescue or firefighting operations has a number of advantages:

Answer 25

Enhances situational awareness Improves visibility in an obscured environment Provides additional information during search May be useful in locating victims, the seat of the fire or hidden fires

Question 26

TIC have some limitations:

Answer 26

They cannot detect a person under or behind furniture or on the opposite side of a wall They cannot “see” through water, glass or other reflective surfaces If a structure is carpeted, TIs may not be able to detect fire on the floors below

Question 27

Fire Isolation

Answer 27

Locating and isolating the fire must be a priority before any search

Question 28

Searched rooms can be marked using any of the following:

Answer 28

Chalk or crayon markers Specially designed door markers Latch straps over doorknobs

Question 29

Primary Search

Answer 29

Is intended to rapidly determine the location of victims The search should be fast but thorough and may be performed either before or during fire suppression operations Quickly check the known or likely locations of victims and all affected areas of the structure

Question 30

Secondary search

Answer 30

Is a slow, thorough search conducted after the fire is under control The purpose is to ensure that no occupants were overlooked during the primary search Using different personnel to conduct the secondary search has the advantage of allowing the search team to use “fresh eyes” and get an unbiased view of the scene Structural instability and areas where the fire is starting to rekindle must be reported immediately

Question 31

Search methods

Answer 31

When you enter a room, turn right or left and follow the walls around until you return to your starting point As you leave the room, turn in the same direction you did to enter and continue to the next room to be searched Start your search as close to the fire as possible and then work back toward the entrance door, this allows your team to reach those in the greatest danger first Always control the egress passageway so search teams can escape if conditions change rapidly

Question 32

steps to accomplish controlling the egress

Answer 32

Stage a firefighter at the door to the room to be searched. This firefighter should control the door to control the flow path into the room Close doors to rooms adjacent to the passageway after they are searched Position hose teams at intervals along the path to cool accumulated gases Use thermal imagers to aid in searching the rooms off the hallway for victim heat signatures or fires

Question 33

Oriented-Search Method

Answer 33

Work as an efficient way for a team to search a room The team leader remains anchored at the door, or hose line, while other team members spread out through the room to complete the search

Question 34

Wide area search method

Answer 34

Sometimes used to conduct a primary search of a large or complex area that is filled with smoke This system employs a dedicated search line, typically 200 feet of rope A minimum of three team members are required, although larger teams can be more effective

Question 35

VEIS method

Answer 35

Stans for Vent, Enter, Isolate and Search Is a search technique intended to provide rapid search of individual rooms that can be accessed from the exterior, usually through a window

Question 36

number of FF needed for VEIS

Answer 36

Two firefighters (three if using a ladder) can perform VEIS First, the searcher ventilates and makes entry The second firefighter may then enter if desired The firefighter remains at the point of entry to guide the searcher back to the exit

Question 37

Shelter-in-Place - Involves moving victims to a protected location within the structure, it is used when;

Answer 37

The hazard is minor It is safer to keep victims insider the structure Victims are incapacitated and cannot be moved There is limited staffing to assist with evacuation The structure can provide a protection barrier between the victim and the hazard

Question 38

types of victim carries

Answer 38

o Incline drag o Extremities lift/carry o Webbing drag o Cradle-in-arms lift/carry o Seat lift/carry o Litter carry

Question 39

Mayday protocols

Answer 39

First, describe the problem and give your location to your partner, team leader or supervisor Remain in place until another firefighter reaches you communicate your air supply status and any actions you are taking Describe your location as clearly as possible so that rescuers know where to search for you

Question 40

When MAYDAY is broadcast, the following actions must immediately be taken:

Answer 40

All radio traffic ceases and only traffic relating to the MAYDAY is allowed Nonessential activities cease and units are directed to assist with searching for the firefighter who has broadcast the MAYDAY The RIC is dispatched to locate the downed firefighter

Question 41

If a MAYDAY event does occur, you must choose one of three courses of action:

Answer 41

remaining in place seeking safe haven escaping

Question 42

Immediate Actions to Improve Survivability

Answer 42

Staying low to the floor Using your hose stream for protection Closing doors between you and the fire Using tools to shore building material Filtering toxic air

Question 43

When any evacuation signal is given

Answer 43

all units on scene must give a personnel accountability report (PAR)*

Question 44

Escaping to Safe Haven - Is the best option in any of the following circumstances:

Answer 44

There is an imminent threat of structural collapse There is not a safe place of shelter You have completely exhausted your air supply Rapid fire development is about to occur You have been ordered to abandon the structure

Question 45

RAPID INTERVENTION

Answer 45

Mandatory RIC equipment can be described using the acronym AWARE (air, Water, a Radio and Extrication)

Question 46

removing located FF

Answer 46

After locating the downed firefighter, the RIC checks his or her air supply The RIC notifies command of the firefighters location and status If the firefighter is trapped or injured, assistance will be requested While waiting for help to arrive, the team will mitigate hazards that threaten the downed

Question 47

Removing located FF - Firefighter with functioning SCBA

Answer 47

The team must move the firefighter carefully so as not to dislodge the mask

Question 48

removing located FF - Firefighter with nonfunctioning SCBA

Answer 48

The team must either connect the firefighters facepiece to a functioning SCBA or quickly remove the firefighter from the hazardous atmosphere