by Jason M. Kim

Created on: February 20, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

Specialized Rescue Procedures

In the fire fighting career there is a wide range of tasks and types of rescues. In the line of duty today there are many common types of rescues such as building search, victim removal, and extrication from motor vehicles. On the other side there are certain specialized rescues such as water rescues, ice rescues, structural collapse rescues, and elevator/escalator rescues. These specialized rescues are generally low volume calls, depending on your coverage area, and thus should be trained for fire fighters to better asses the situation.

"Structural collapse while not a common incident, may occur for any number of reasons: weakening from age or fire, environmental causes (earthquake, tornado, hurricane, flooding, rain, or snow buildup on roofs), or an explosion (accidental or intentional)." (Dodson 494) Structural collapses can create numerous voids where victims could be trapped. When arriving on scene the number of potential victims should be acquired. Certain hazards to look for in a structural collapse are a secondary collapse, live electrical wires, and gas leaks. The electricity and gas should be shut-off . Structural collapses come in three different types: pancake collapse, lean-to collapse, and v-type collapse. A pancake collapse is characterized by both supporting walls failing or from the anchoring system failing and the supported roof or upper floor falling parallel to the floor below. Small voids where victims can be found are created by debris. A lean-to collapse occurs when one only one side of the supporting walls or floor anchoring system fails. One side of the collapsed roof is attached to the remaining wall or anchoring system. The lean-to collapse creates a significant void near the remaining wall. A v-type collapse can happen when there is a large load in the center of floor or roof above. The roof may be overloaded from a buildup of snow and/or have been weakened by fire, rot, termites, and improper removal of support beams. Both sides of the supporting wall are still standing but the center of the floor or roof above is compromised and thus collapsed in the center. The v-type collapse usually leaves a void on each side of the supporting walls. Knowing where the voids are can help a fire fighter locate survivors of the structural collapse. After the firefighter as identified the type of collapse and where the voids may be they need to make a safe entranceway. The firefighter needs to have a basic knowledge

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