Southfield firefighters Chris Siewert and Michael Siburt responded to a house fire last Monday and learned that their was an 87-year-old inside.
Without a hose or backup the two entered the smoke-filled house and pulled the woman, who is in a wheelchair, to safety.
The home in the 18000 block of Westover Avenue caught fire at around 4:30 p.m. The responding engines saw this smoke upon arrival. Several occupants had been able to get out without help.
The trapped woman was able to holler for help, which aided firefighters in finding her. The woman was hospitalized for smoke inhalation but is expected to make a full recovery.
Advertisement
Seconds Count When You’re Making a Grab! Brush Up Your Skills with Residential Primary Search: Making the Grab, an FDIC 2022 Hands on Training Course
Description
Each year, more than 2,000 civilians are killed in structure fires. When we make life safety our number one priority, all of our actions should be about getting inside and finding them. We give them the best chance for survival when an aggressive primary search is completed within the first 10 minutes of fireground operations. This fast-past class concentrates on the fundamentals and focuses on first-due engine-based search, split search, oriented search, and vent-enter-search techniques. Students will be taught ways to maximize their efficiency and simple drags for victim removal. On completion of this class, students will be more confident in their search and victim removal skills.
Methodology
Introduction-Review where victims are likely to be found and time factor affecting victim outcome.
• The Oriented/Split Search station will begin doing a walk through of how oriented search should work and tips for moving quickly and staying out of each other’s way. This station progresses into working in teams of 2 to completing an oriented search in zero visibility. While students are waiting to complete their scenario they receive tips and tricks on searching with a water can.
• The Vent-Enter-Search Station-Crews will work on first and second story VES. Skills worked on will be making entry on 2nd floor from a ladder and first floor entry on the standard and high window.
• First Due Engine Stretch/Hasty Search-A high percentage of victims are found by the first arriving engine. This station lays out a plan for the first due engine to get water on the fire and search back, closing doors in order to maintain tenable space for victims until a more thorough search can be completed.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course students will:
• Have a good understanding of where victims are likely to be found and the time factor involved in increasing the chance of survival.
• Understand and perform Oriented Search.
• Understand and perform Split Search
• Understand and complete Vent, Enter, Search (VES)
• Be able to complete a Hasty Search as part of the initial arriving Engine Company.
• Have several plans and be able to drag a victim head or feet first.
