Perspectives on Leadership: Search
Steve Shaw speaks with guest Grant Schwalbe about search, search culture, training on search, and how to plan for search.
Search Operations
Firefighters search to save lives. Whether you’re on the engine or truck, conducting effective search operations is essential. On this page you’ll find articles, videos, and resources to help you conduct training on search, including civilian rescue, removal of down firefighters in Mayday situations, and more.
The Latest
Preplanning VES Operations: It’s All About the Details
Dennis Reilly provides suggestions on decisions fire departments can make before firefighters arrive on scene where they need to perform vent-enter-search.
Podcast: Talkin Tactics: Search
David Polikoff, Robert James (RJ), and Sam Villani from Capitol Fire Training talk about search, and the tactics around a successful search on today's fireground.
Fire Rescue Training: Do a Better Job of Teaching Search
The fire service can and must do a better job of teaching firefighters how to search, writes Grant Schwalbe.
Must View
Politics and Tactics: Search with Michael Nasti
Hosts Frank Ricci, David Polikoff, and Sam Villani talk search operations with guest Mike Nasti.
BuildingsonFire: The Built Environment and Fire Operations, Part 2
Chris Naum continues his discussion on the influence of the build environment on firefighting operations.
More Search Operations
Prioritizing the Search with Limited Staffing
How can firefighters prioritize the search when dealing with limited staffing and resources? Daniel Folks shares his department's approach.
VES: Not Always as Easy as Vent-Enter-Search
Recently, members of Charlotte (NC) Fire Department Tower 18 encountered heavy duty window screens while they attempted to VES.
Aggressive or Misunderstood? Searching Without a TIC
How many hours of training have you and your firefighters had on thermal imaging cameras (TICs)? Thomas Anderson takes a look at TIC use.
Defining Rescue and Risk-Managed Search for Fire Departments
The renewed emphasis on rescue begs the question: how do we define a rescue? Raul Angulo on the impact to risk management.
Aggressive Search and VES
Watch Now!
This Webcast makes the case that firefighters should complete a primary search within the first 10 minutes.
This Webcast makes the case that firefighters should complete a primary search within the first 10 minutes.
The Engine Company-Based Search
If you don't have a truck company or the truck is designated to other tasks, you must perform an engine-based search.
BuildingsonFire: The Built Environment and Fire Operations
Chris Naum reflects on the influence of the built environment on fireground operations.
Training Video: Search & Rescue TIC Operations
The Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue Training Division recently released a firefighter training video on search and rescue operations using a thermal imaging camera (TIC).