Truck Operations›Search & Rescue
OFD Truck Manual v3.1 · Section 5-2 Search and Rescue · Section 5-3 Ground Ladders
“Search may be performed in front of or without an operating hoseline on the fireground.”OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.80 — All Clear
“When simultaneous crews are searching, which is generally reserved for known victims or in incidents where vertical ventilation is not feasible, the crews typically split into two teams. The two crews must formulate a plan to coordinate their search efforts, to reduce the possibility of redundancy or missed areas.” — p.76
Ahead of the hoseline — the “inside” crew searches for the fire, isolates and communicates location to fire attack (Locates – Isolates – Communicates)
“In unison, the ‘outside’ crew performs a targeted search.”
“When searching ahead of the hoseline. The ‘inside’ crew searches for the fire, isolates and communicates location to fire attack (Locates - Isolates - Communicates). In unison, the ‘outside’ crew performs a targeted search.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.76 — Simultaneous crews on primary search
Behind the hoseline — the “inside” crew makes their way to fire attack, communicates that fire attack has the fire area for search, then searches back
“In unison, the ‘outside’ crew performs a targeted search.”
“When searching behind the hoseline. The ‘inside’ crew makes their way to fire attack, typically communicating that fire attack has the fire area for search and then searches back. In unison, the ‘outside’ crew performs a targeted search.”
Targeted Search, as the manual defines it: “Starting a search at a place within the structure that has the highest potential for civilians, which are typically bedrooms, family rooms, egress and within 6’ of an exterior door.” (p.79)
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.76 — Simultaneous crews on primary search; the definition is p.79 — Search: Types and decisions to make while searching
STOP — AHEAD OF OR WITHOUT A HOSELINE
This is the standing condition on searching in front of, or without, an operating hoseline.
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.80 — All Clear“Search Position is imperative to an efficient and thorough search. If you can identify all objects around you, then walking upright is typically performed. Walking during moderate, low or zero visibility is jeopardizing civilian lives.” — p.76
“Your body position should place the ears where sound is farthest traveled, the eyes where it is most visible and place the hands where the victims are. Get on the ground!”OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.76 — Search Positions · “Inches of visibility are worth miles of work” — Brian Olson, quoted on the same page
BODY POSITIONING MATTERS — “The search position height is dictated by heat, but the position is chosen”
“The position is chosen for its ability to amplify sound, maximize visibility and remain efficient. The denser the smoke the eyes and ears are occupying, the more suppressed the senses become.” (p.76)
“We do not need to maintain physical contact with another firefighter, wall or search line to stay oriented. Knowledge of building construction and layouts along with practical training, can prepare a firefighter to stay oriented, efficient and off the wall in adverse conditions.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.76 — Search Positions / Body Positioning Matters
Down On All Fours (Crawling)
“…it’s an efficient way to stay low and move throughout a low visibility, high heat structure. It’s just not always the most efficient and effective way to search.” — “this position forces the eyes down and is counterproductive to the assignment.” “There may be times we crawl, typically in more cluttered homes, small spaces or over beds.” (p.77)
“Crawling is dependent on all four appendages to continually hold up and balance the body. When one is crawling and lifts a hand to sweep, the balance must be adjusted or the body will tend to follow. Opt to not sweep, and the ground covered in one pass becomes inefficient. If you come upon below-grade stairs or a compromised floor while on all fours, the center of gravity can lead you into the hazard. Crawling tends to open up the palms for burns and trauma, which we need for ourselves and THEM.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.77 — Down On All Fours (Crawling)
Upright On Two Feet (Walking)
“When the conditions allow, this can be a quick, sturdy and effective position to use.” — “Ever heard, ‘If you can see your feet, then walk’. It isn’t my feet that I am worried about, it’s what is beneath them that matters.” (p.77)
“The distance of vision in a standing position is greatest when looking straight down towards your feet, and decreases as the eyesight rises. Being able to see 5 feet down to your boots, does not equate to the same visibility as 5 feet in front of you. In low to zero visibility, firefighters that are standing are slow and use their hands to navigate walls and furniture and concentrate on not tripping on objects, which hinders them to be able to effectively search for victims.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.77 — Upright On Two Feet (Walking)
Crouched walk (“duck walk”)
“Staying on both feet, but in a squatted down position to be able to visualize better, underneath the smoke layering. This is a position that fatigue can quickly set in, but is also one that can be utilized for speed when visibility conditions are changing rapidly based on location in the structure.” (p.77)
The Tripod-Position
“A firefighter that trains with this technique can be efficient and search a structure with nearly the same speed yet is more effective than one can be on their feet.” (p.77)
“The tripod position keeps the center of gravity low and to the rear, which creates a stable and balanced stance. The position leads with a foot which increases the stability and situational awareness. The foot can give warning and increase time to react, to compromised floors and step downs such as below grade stairs.”
“The tripod position can cover more square footage per pass and increases efficiency. The position allows the use of both hands to search. … Visibility is maximized for the environment by getting low and naturally keeping the eyes up. This technique keeps eyes up, to scan for victims, egress and monitor the conditions.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, pp.77–78 — The Tripod-Position
Body Length Sweep/Search
“Can be used to sweep the entry and egress and in low to zero visibility, high heat searches.” — “Upon forcing access or egress, complete the assignment and perform a full body length sweep and Size-Up; LIFE, FIRE, LAYOUT.” (p.78)
“This will increase the probability of finding the 42% of victims that collapsed, during re-entry for fire control, returned for a rescue attempt or attempting egress (NFIRS Data - Fatalities Only). www.FirefighterRescueSurvey.com reports that 10% of all structural fire victims are within 6 feet of a door.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.78 — Body Length Sweep/Search
“Swinging a tool to search for humans is not acceptable. … We will not sweep tools for victims, search with our hands.”OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.78 — Extending The Reach With A Tool: “When you strike an object, you still need to go investigate with your hands. … Every firefighter should know what a human feels like with gloved hands, second nature matters when seconds count.”
“…a window based search typically is not just a single room search, but rather a means of entry to start a full search of the building. It is our intention to go beyond the door.”
“VES is a common expression used to describe a window based search, but may imply searching only one room. The Orem Fire Department believes strongly in searching all searchable space and the common use of entering buildings via a window when warranted. To remove confusion, anytime the expression of VES is used, assume it is merely a starting point, unless hallway conditions dictate otherwise.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.75 — both quotes; in the Making Entry for Search discussion, which opens on p.73
“Prior to a window based search, be efficient and size-up for interior door location”
“In bedrooms, doors are in or within a few feet of the corners. Bedrooms that are on outside corners of the structure will typically have interior doors on the inside corner. Midspan or non-corner bedrooms will have interior doors that are typically placed on the far side of a wall from the living areas. This knowledge can decrease the time for room isolation.” (p.74)
“A non-operable window on floor two that is in line with the front door can be a warning that it is a vaulted entry”
“…and attempting a window initiated search can negatively affect the entire fireground.” (p.74)
Four different placements for four different jobs. The manual separates them by heading — the purpose decides the tip.
Roof access / egress — Primary and Secondary ladder
“Ideally, both the Primary and Secondary will be 3-5 rungs above the roofline, with a climbing angle of approximately 75 degrees.” Carry: “The high shoulder carry is the preferred method of throwing ladders for roof access due to its speed. The low shoulder can also be utilized.” (p.93 — Positioning your Ladder for your Operation · Roof Access/Egress)
Roof work: Residential · Steep pitch · Commercial
Window — rescue, access & egress
“Rescue, access and egress ladders that are thrown to windows, will have the tip at the window sill.” Angle: “Angle will vary when throwing ladders for rescue. Ladders should land between 60 and 75 degrees but other angles will work.” (p.85 — LADDERS · Throwing Ladders for Access, Egress & Rescues)
Window — VES / search / outside operations
“Ladders thrown for VES, rescue, or window access and egress will have the tip at or below the window sill.” Angle: “Ladders should be placed between 60 and 75 degrees, but other angles will work.” (p.94 — Ladders for SEARCH / OUTSIDE OPERATIONS)
“The preferred carry for Search/Outside Ops is the suitcase carry due to ease of dropping the ladder if a need arises to catch a jumping victim. It should be noted that this carry should be done on the firefighter’s side that is away from the structure, to eliminate a trip hazard if dropped. The low shoulder can also be utilized. These two carries allow for maximum visibility to scan for victims while carrying.”
OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.94 — Ladders for SEARCH / OUTSIDE OPERATIONS
Balcony
“Ladders thrown to a balcony will extend 2-4 rungs above the railing on the wall, to provide a good handle for victims and firefighters.” (p.85; stated again on p.94)
Victim already hanging out the window — a technique, not a placement rule
“When civilians are hanging out windows, two firefighters can carry the ladder flat and throw the tip below the victim and raise it up and under the victim.” (p.86) You put the tip low on purpose and bring it up under them — this is not a fifth tip rule.
⏸ PENDING RULING — “at” vs “at or below” the sill
p.85 and p.94 both list rescue, access and egress in their scope — p.85 says the tip goes at the sill, p.94 says at or below. Published above by each page’s own heading and purpose. A crew following p.85 also satisfies p.94, so this is not a safety conflict — but the wording needs aligning.
Decider: the Truck training committee, as a wording item — carried on the committee list as B9a. The question for them: is “at or below” the intended rule everywhere, with p.85 the older wording?
“Our preferred way of window rescue…” — OFD Truck Manual v3.1, p.85, in the printed order, under the heading Rescuing Victims Through Windows (p.83).
Drag victims, on their backs to the window, feet first
Feet go against the baseboard, rotated inward; toes together
“This keeps the knees from rolling outward.”
Knees are bent upward
The victim’s hands are crossed and handed to the outside firefighter
“This brings the victim to a sitting position, where the interior firefighter can rest them on their knee while adjusting their lifting position.”
The victim is then pulled head out by the outside firefighter, and assisted from the inside by the inside firefighters
Parallel ladders — “When a window rescue is being made, a second ladder is recommended”
“It creates a wider base and the ability for more firefighters to assist in the rescue.” (p.86) — “Consider utilizing two parallel ladders for victim removal and VES.” (p.94)
On the ladder — “We prefer to take victims out of the window head first”
“As the victim’s torso is being brought to the ladder, place your arm under their armpit and grasp the back of the beam. Guide legs to one side of the ladder, place arm between the victim’s legs and grasp the back of the ladder beam. Slide hands along beams during rescue.” (p.86)
Source. OFD Truck Operations Manual v3.1 (2026). Section 5-2 Search and Rescue — pp.74–80, 85–86; Section 5-3 Ground Ladders — Choices, Techniques, and Positioning — pp.93–94. Quotes verbatim. Every page number on this sheet was re-derived from the manual’s printed footers, not from PDF page positions. Ladder tip placements are published by purpose, per the manual’s own headings.
Version: prototype · Last reviewed 2026-08-30