The critical importance of primary searches during fire operations cannot be underemphasized. Saving life is our number one concern. Regardless of building style, the citizens we protect are counting on us to find them. While it’s been said that in the fire service “you must first look out for yourself, then your team members second” where does that leave the civilian victim? Third?

While we obviously must search with due regard for our personal and team safety, do our citizen know this? I think not, and nor should they be placed in this tertiary category. In order for us all to win, we must prepare ourselves, our teams to be prepared mentally and physically ready for the tasks.

We must carry out the primary search early, completing it in a cautious yet rapid, expeditious manner.

What I am not saying is to conduct such searches with chaotic reckless abandon, in untenable heat conditions or where fire has enveloped the entire area to be searched. While our PPE allows us to go deeper and further into the fire area than our fathers and grandfathers, it is still not a proximity suit. There have been several times over my career where I had to wait for the hoseline to extinguish fire prior completing the primary search. That said, in most instances, while one, two or three rooms of fire may look impressive blowing out several windows, there are several ‘searchable spaces’ in the dwelling.

The primary search, in conjunction with fire extinguishment, gives our civilian population the best chance for survival. It is a delicate balance between thorough and fast. Dependent on staffing variables, fire conditions, and building deterioration, they should be accomplished with the stretching of the first hose line.

But search starts at probie school and to some training divisions, search seems as though it is taught rather matter of fact. Another module that must be completed in order to graduate. Empty, sterile and clinical concrete 12x12 rooms, or perhaps the opposite, a ‘rat cage’ contortionist den of ups and downs in an incredibly tight maze of non-residential replication.

We must continually stress the importance of search and have realistic search training scenarios for our members. This is not ‘mask confidence’ it is search and maneuvering thru dwellings. This is a discussion of organized search patterns relating to building design, staffing and where the fire is located (basement, 1st floor, upper floor, multiple dwelling).

We must always be looking to hone our search skills. While historically this function is largely tasked to Ladder and Rescue Companies, all members must be well versed on a solid foundation of search techniques. There should be no numbering system in search, no... ‘who is more important than who.’

Do your job, understand the risks and utilize your abilities and take prudent risk taking actions for life safety on the fireground:
your life, your teams life and the life of that civilian that is counting on you to get them out.

We have chosen a profession that occasionally puts us in harms way to save life. We must be physically and mentally prepared for that challenge. We must be well practiced in carrying out our tactical search plans. And while it does not happen at every incident, we must anticipate that at our next fire...someone will be trapped inside.