Residential Search Size Up
Part II: The Exterior
By: Justin McWilliams
This document addresses the primary search size-up for single
family, duplex and low-rise multi-family dwellings. Knowing and
understanding building layouts and fire behavior is paramount for
an effective, efficient and aggressive primary search. This is a living
document, will be continually revised and improved. These are notes
and considerations, not the “end all, be all” document.
PURPOSE
Primary search based on educated decisions, resulting in rapid
victim location and removal.
A full and continuous size-up, which identifies search priorities,
develops a rescue plan, increases firefighter orientation, assists in
locating the fire and access and egress.
THE EXTERIOR
The 360
A 360 will assist in locating civilians presenting from decks and
windows that may be immediately rescued. It will reveal yard and
building conditions, smoke and fire conditions, possible fire
location, and gives the ability to size-up the building itself.
Yard, Porch & Deck: The condition of the exterior is a good indicator
of likely conditions of the interior. If you encounter hoarder
conditions in the yard, or neglected building maintenance, you can
expect the interior to have hoarder conditions and poor building
maintenance as well. Hoarder conditions may include beds in the