Search and Rescue in Private Dwellings Part I: The Search Plan

Since more than 80 percent of all civilian fire deaths each year occur in residential dwellings, search and rescue is an essential fireground task – as integral to firefighting as stretching and advancing handlines for fire extinguishment. However, such a task often places firefighters at risk, especially when searching near the seat of the fire without the protection of a charged handline.



Captain Bill Gustin, a 27-year veteran of the fire service, gives you important information to accomplish the search and rescue mission in private and multi-family dwellings. Learn how to plan your searches, coordinate them with other fireground tasks, adapt them to changing conditions, and execute them as safely as possible. Part 1 includes the elements that make for an effective search plan. (Originally taped in 2000.)