On Monday, February 23, 2026, members participated in our bi-weekly company-level drill. Each week, a Duty Officer is assigned to the station, and it is their responsibility to conduct a company drill on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month (and occasionally the 5th Monday when applicable). These drills ensure our members remain proficient in the skills necessary to serve our community safely and effectively.

This week’s Duty Officer, Jimmy Swindell, led training focused on search operations. Conducting a search is one of the most critical tasks performed on the fireground. In the fire service, we utilize the terms “Primary Search” and “Secondary Search.”

A Primary Search is conducted early in an incident and is intended to be completed quickly, yet thoroughly. Crews systematically search all accessible and occupiable areas of a structure as efficiently and effectively as possible. Even if occupants report that everyone is out of the building, firefighters still complete a primary search to ensure no one remains inside.

A Secondary Search is typically performed later in the incident, often by a different crew. This search is more detailed and methodical, providing an added layer of confirmation that the structure is clear.

During this drill, members utilized our bunk room, located just off the engine bay, which houses four bunks (eight beds) and provides a realistic environment with furniture and obstacles. Members practiced various search techniques, including checking beds (over, under, and between), examining areas where children may hide, and maintaining orientation within the room while preserving a clear path to their point of egress.

For training realism, a baby doll was placed in a realistic location within the room to simulate a victim. Probationary members initially completed the scenario without SCBA masks to become familiar with search patterns and movement. Once comfortable, the scenario was repeated with the “victim” relocated and members wearing blacked-out facepieces. These specialized masks simulate zero-visibility conditions without filling the room with smoke. In actual structure fires, visibility is often severely limited or completely absent, requiring firefighters to rely on their training, their partner, and physical reference points such as walls to successfully complete searches.

While some members trained in single-room search techniques, others moved to our rear building to practice large-area search operations. With several large commercial buildings in our response area, this is a critical skill set.

The large-area search utilized a search rope secured across the space. Knots are tied at 10-foot intervals, allowing firefighters to track their distance into the building and maintain orientation. Members can clip into a knot and extend outward into the open area while remaining connected to the search line. This ensures they can quickly locate their partner if a victim is found and assistance is needed for removal. As the search progresses, crews systematically move from knot to knot, ensuring all occupiable space is checked before returning to their exit point. This technique requires patience, teamwork, and clear communication.

Additional topics covered during the drill included:

• Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) operations

• Door control techniques to limit fire growth

• Air management and breathing techniques

• Fireground communications between crew leaders and Incident Command

• Tool selection and proper use of hand tools

Training of this nature is both physically and mentally demanding, but it is essential. Our goal is to make each scenario as realistic as possible so that if the time ever comes to use these skills, our members are prepared. While we hope these situations never occur, we remain committed to ensuring our department is ready to respond whenever our community calls.