The First 2,000 Rescues: When was Search Initiated with Survival Rate

Data Drop.....When was Search Initiated v Survival Rate.

Data from the recorded rescues so far show that survival rates are higher when search was initiated before fire knockdown, and also when search was initiated before RIT was assigned. The data also shows that the vast majority of recorded rescues had search initiated before knockdown (83%) and before RIT was assigned (95%). These facts, when combined lead to early search (pre-knockdown and pre-RIT assignment) accounting for the lion's share of all successful rescues (89% pre-knockdown; 96% pre-RIT assignment). As always, the more we learn, the more questions that arise:

How early in your operations does your department prioritize search?

How many members are typically assigned to search on your firegrounds?

How often are we supplementing search by sending multiple crews to search different areas?

Is there ever a fireground where one could justify triaging RIT before search? If so, can you given an example?

When Was Search Initiated v Survival Rate:
Pre Knockdown – 65% (1069/1653)
Post Knockdown – 40% (129/322)
* 89% (1069/1198) of all successful rescues were made when search was initiated before the fire was knocked down

When Was Search Initiated v Survival Rate:
Pre RIT/RIC Assignment – 66% (725/1091)
Post RIT/RIC Assignment – 47% (27/58)
* 96% (725/752) of all successful rescues were made when search was initiated before the RIT was assigned