Upper/Lower Duplex search

Comment

Comment by Grant Schwalbe on October 25, 2014 at 6:53am

My search team would be of 3.  We'd follow the line in the front door.  The front door gives us access to the whole house and most importantly the stairs.  We'd follow the line upstairs and begin as close to the fire as possible checking div 2 bedrooms (if we see that this is a div 2 fire on 360).  If there are stairs to attic then we'd check for converted living space, if access to attic is pull down then we will not search it during primary.  Then we'd work our way to division 1.  Oriented search is my preference.  Hopefully the attack crew was able to close any open doors on division 2 to maintain some tenable space until our search crew could get there.  

Comment by Skip Coleman on October 21, 2014 at 6:44pm

Good officers usually have a plan "B". Thanks

Comment by Justin Renner on October 21, 2014 at 6:12pm

Thanks for bringing up the victim removal issue. I have some concerns with the stairs but do also agree that it is best way in and out. The stairs in these types of structures are generally more narrow then most. As well it now has an attack line and FF moving up and down it. But the stairwell should be free of heavy smoke, and the best option when useable. Just need options on the table. 

Comment by Skip Coleman on October 21, 2014 at 4:47pm

Excellent. Good catch on fire in kitchen area. Also balcony a good choice for viable/ non life threatening victim. Take them down stairs when safe to do so would be my thought. If unconscious, down stairs ASAP.

Comment by Justin Renner on October 21, 2014 at 9:00am

On scene with a 3 man engine company, of a second floor "D" side fire that appears to be a possilbe location of 2nd floor kitchen. This structure has several features that revel that is has been renovated from a single family dwelling to a upper/lower duplex. So an uncommon floor plan will be encountered. Smoke conditions on main floor should be checked and a "call out" for any persons on main floor should be conducted. If no smoke found a search of 2nd floor should not be delayed by the forcing and search of the 1st floor. Search crews would enter through the "A/B" door, assisting with hose advancement upstairs if needed. An oriented search of second floor would be the prefered method. With second search priority of main floor and basement. Basement may also have been renovaed as a living space as well. Victim removal to second floor balcony is an option to avoid tight stairwell with smoke and attack hose.