Searchable vs. Survivable: Educated Decision Making (35MP)

This lecture will cover many topics related to search. It will keep the focus on our primary mission of the fire service....LIFE! In our modern fire environment time is not a luxury, and it is imperative that we have a system in place designed for quick decision-making. We will discuss the importance of sizing up the search upon our 360 and wisely utilizing the manpower we have to occupy the spaces where victims are most likely to be found. We should locate and remove victims efficiently, using data collected from research and real-world experiences to choose the proper tactics that ensure we succeed in putting our civilians first. This class focuses on being intelligently aggressive and concentrating our efforts where we can do the greatest good at the moment. Searching involves predictable behavior patterns and prioritizing spaces where victims are most likely to be found, when possible. There is no singular mode, but rather multiple methods to enhance the survivability of the unprotected occupant. We must break free from the standard approach of "this is how we have always done it" and concentrate our efforts on what is best for our civilians trapped by fire.