SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Rescue According to Stages of Fire
There are three major fire situations that can be encountered in relation to rescue operations. Each of these
situations requires a different rescue approach.
A. Nothing Showing
The Rescue Company can direct quick interior search to assure the safety of the occupants before issuing
the “ALL CLEAR” signal.
B. Smoke or Fire Showing
Fire control efforts should be started at the same time as rescue efforts, to support the primary search.
In this type of situation the Rescue Company must decide if they want to remove the fire from the
occupants or the occupants from the fire. The Rescue Company must also realize that in some cases an
Engine Company must protect escape routes for occupant removal, and in other cases an Engine Company
may have to control the fire first to establish a safe escape route.
Occupants should not be moved through fire or smoke filled areas if they are safer remaining in their rooms
until the fire can be controlled.
C. Fully Involved
In situations where there is total involvement of the building or part of the building there may be no
primary search due to the fire conditions making survival of any occupants in that area unlikely. In these
cases Command should notify the Communications Center that there will not be a Primary Search, and as
conditions permit later, a Secondary Search must be conducted for victims.
Types of Occupants
The Rescue Company must direct rescue operations based on the location of occupants relative to the fire.
The closer the occupants are to the fire, the greater their danger.
A. Escaped occupants outside the building must be considered by the Rescue Company. These
persons must be treated and protected from further injury and kept from re-entering the building.
B. Occupants trying to get out of the building must be assisted to safety. Occupants aware of the fire,
but not in the greatest danger, may still jump or cause harm to themselves. While these people
may not be the most threatened by the fire, the Rescue Company must direct efforts to these
people to avoid them injuring themselves in attempts to escape the fire.
The Rescue Company must also coordinate their efforts with the Engine Company to make sure
fire is not pushed in the direction of escaping occupants.
C. Occupants still in the building and unable to help themselves includes those trapped, unconscious,
or otherwise unable to escape. Locating, protecting, and removing these occupants is the most
difficult part of the rescue operation, and the primary search must be used to help these occupants.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 240
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley