Ems Response to Hoarding: Locating the Victim

One type of call that Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement often respond to is the

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="229"] Ems response to Hoarding


“check the well being” of a occupant that has not made contact with family in a certain amount of time.  Being called to check the well being of a person inside hoarding conditions can turn into a major incident it the responders enter ill prepared.  Let’s take a look inside the hoarding environment to offer some insight for first responders tasked with going inside them looking for people that have not been communicating with their friends, family, or others.

Ensuring Occupancy


Before we go inside the hoarding environment, exposing ourselves to different dangers, we should take steps to determine if the person is still living there.  Often, in hoarding conditions an occupant can fill their home until it is no longer inhabitable and just move out, that simple.  If the home has become so full the occupant will often disconnect the utilities, whether their choice or the building inspectors choice, and move to a different location.

If the call comes in to check on an occupant and you arrive to find a potential Heavy Content Environment we should take some steps to find out if the home is still occupied.

  • Have dispatch forward contact information to on scene responders for questioning

  • Question neighbors

  • Inspect utility meters

  • Perform a 380 degree size up

  • Look for access points (often NOT the front or back door)


Locating the Victim


Once the determination has been made that a person could be inside the hoarding it’s time

[caption id="attachment_883" align="alignright" width="200"]Hoarding Hoarding


to go looking for them.   Understanding that hoarding can take over a home and prohibit occupants from sleeping in bedrooms or sitting in living room can help lead you to their locations.  If you understand this complication we may start searching for occupants in different locations.

Example: Searching for an occupant after dark, we may start our search in the living room instead of the bedroom.

The best way of making access to trapped occupants will be to find their primary entrance points.  If the home has filled the space around “normal” access points, such as doorways, they will often enter through windows or other means.  Finding these entrances will be the best place to start looking for a missing person.

Using the only access points will lead you to the “goat paths” throughout the home.   These pathways can lead directly to the occupant.  Warning: using these pathways EMS providers should start a search pattern when looking for occupants and try to keep the belongings in place.  Keeping the debris from falling can be a difficult task as the pathways can be so narrow.

One way of making your travel through the pathways less destructive is to leave your bags outside the environment until the patient has been discovered.  Without our bags across our shoulders it will reduce or profile and keep from knocking the stacks over.  First responders should carry a small bag or the basic CPR mask just in case of impending need of CPR or rescue breathing.  Keeping the bags outside the building will also reduce the need for decontaminating them as well.

EMS providers should use a coordinated search pattern to find the victims, much like firefighters would.  Collapsed belongings could easily hide patients. Utilizing a primary and secondary search can help offer the occupant a larger chance of survival

Primary: Traveling the pathways looking for occupants quickly and efficiently.  The primary search should be a quick and organized search. 

Secondary: Secondary searches should be a slower search where individual piles of collapsed belongings that seem out of place or different should be inspected for occupants.

Review


Hoarding can present many challenges to first responders in all three divisions.  Before entering a hoarded environment you should ensure the potential for occupancy and use an accurate size up to locate the victim.  Finding people that are missing inside the massive amounts of belongings can turn a “routine” check the well being call into a technical rescue inside a Haz-Mat situation.

Start preparing for the call you will receive, not might receive.  Hoarding is found in everyone’s district and it is an area that we need to review.  Use this quick article for some thought stirring discussion and review your department’s policies on entering private residence on check the well being calls.
Hoarder Fire: North Huntsville Alabama
Hoarder Fire Live Fire Test

Related Posts

 

Comments 71

Guest - zapatillas air max on Friday, 07 November 2014 19:38

zapatillas air max

85-86 años para dejar el mundo sabe que tiene un par de zapatos, que son los primeros nike air max baratas serie (Air Jordan). zapatillas air max sobre la base de, AIR JORDAN utiliza un nuevo color, y este color ha sido la prohibición de la NBA, es dec&

zapatillas air max 85-86 años para dejar el mundo sabe que tiene un par de zapatos, que son los primeros nike air max baratas serie (Air Jordan). zapatillas air max sobre la base de, AIR JORDAN utiliza un nuevo color, y este color ha sido la prohibición de la NBA, es dec&
Guest - louboutin pas cher on Sunday, 09 November 2014 13:36

louboutin pas cher

My spouse and i altered the code instantly once i discovered vizgin must have been a fraud... I warned all of the men and women in the buddy checklist about it. This acquired sent to myself through anyone in the Google friend list... these were agreed&

louboutin pas cher My spouse and i altered the code instantly once i discovered vizgin must have been a fraud... I warned all of the men and women in the buddy checklist about it. This acquired sent to myself through anyone in the Google friend list... these were agreed&
Guest - salomon pas cher on Tuesday, 11 November 2014 10:28

salomon pas cher

I became merely wanting to know, precisely what does the RIAA crew get because data that Joel downloaded or even downloaded new music? And it is Fran also instructed to send his computer on the court docket intended for check up as well as something? N&

salomon pas cher I became merely wanting to know, precisely what does the RIAA crew get because data that Joel downloaded or even downloaded new music? And it is Fran also instructed to send his computer on the court docket intended for check up as well as something? N&
Guest - sac pliage longchamp on Wednesday, 12 November 2014 11:23

sac pliage longchamp

Zero USB?? It Pulls! . -= Chethan's previous weblog... It can exactly about Marketing and advertising! The ability of Conversation =-.

sac pliage longchamp Zero USB?? It Pulls! . -= Chethan's previous weblog... It can exactly about Marketing and advertising! The ability of Conversation =-.
Guest - doudoune moncler bleu on Thursday, 13 November 2014 16:34

doudoune moncler bleu

Additionally, if you're considering undertaking off the internet bac ups, it is undoubtedly an understanding. But that won't support Sparring floor Honan if the alternative along with scarier circumstance happenned: The fact that the online hackers m&

doudoune moncler bleu Additionally, if you're considering undertaking off the internet bac ups, it is undoubtedly an understanding. But that won't support Sparring floor Honan if the alternative along with scarier circumstance happenned: The fact that the online hackers m&
Guest - veste moncler homme pas cher on Thursday, 13 November 2014 17:49

veste moncler homme pas cher

Not too long ago none of imperceptable band do the job effectively. every one of them present imperceptable as off-line. Can someone present a lot of a good one???

veste moncler homme pas cher Not too long ago none of imperceptable band do the job effectively. every one of them present imperceptable as off-line. Can someone present a lot of a good one???
Guest - doudoune femme canada goose on Monday, 17 November 2014 10:51

doudoune femme canada goose

I can not work all these drivers on my Glass windows seven.

doudoune femme canada goose I can not work all these drivers on my Glass windows seven.
Guest - wildstar videos on Monday, 17 November 2014 20:49

wildstar videos

L. a. sortie nufactured rencontre, Hier aprs midi, Il n'y avait pas p mines abattues chez l'ensemble des makes use of, Qui connaissent bien l'ensemble des rouages delaware l'industrie. Every capital big tourproperly asisignifiant beucoup fcile lice&

wildstar videos L. a. sortie nufactured rencontre, Hier aprs midi, Il n'y avait pas p mines abattues chez l'ensemble des makes use of, Qui connaissent bien l'ensemble des rouages delaware l'industrie. Every capital big tourproperly asisignifiant beucoup fcile lice&
Guest - diablo 3 gold guide on Tuesday, 18 November 2014 22:13

diablo 3 gold guide

Uudiskirja vormis, Kus osalejad onto passiivses rollis ja ksnes saavad listihaldurilt kirju, Ise nad kirjutada ei saa. Sellised onto niteks eri firmade kliendilistid, Kus huvilised saavad perioodilist infot uute toodete, Hindade jms. Kohta. SO exactly&

diablo 3 gold guide Uudiskirja vormis, Kus osalejad onto passiivses rollis ja ksnes saavad listihaldurilt kirju, Ise nad kirjutada ei saa. Sellised onto niteks eri firmade kliendilistid, Kus huvilised saavad perioodilist infot uute toodete, Hindade jms. Kohta. SO exactly&
Guest - spiderman costumes on Thursday, 20 November 2014 08:05

spiderman costumes

On the eve of the olympics, Nike Company launched the Turbo Speed sport suit that was especially designed for American. The item called the Foots cape Free has been launched by Nike last month. This special Air Force 1 is welcomed by nearly everybody t&

spiderman costumes On the eve of the olympics, Nike Company launched the Turbo Speed sport suit that was especially designed for American. The item called the Foots cape Free has been launched by Nike last month. This special Air Force 1 is welcomed by nearly everybody t&
Guest - christian louboutin soldes on Friday, 21 November 2014 01:53

christian louboutin soldes

inside the Songza description anyone declare we could inside a renaissance of social media marketing.. btw means "rebirth" and to my very own expertise social websites is pretty brand-new, therefore making this any genesis as well as emerging trend.&

christian louboutin soldes inside the Songza description anyone declare we could inside a renaissance of social media marketing.. btw means "rebirth" and to my very own expertise social websites is pretty brand-new, therefore making this any genesis as well as emerging trend.&
Guest - doudoune moncler pas cher on Saturday, 22 November 2014 04:42

doudoune moncler pas cher

Robert/Nick: Many thanks for comments. I would have an interest to hear involving almost any benefits for your SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION strategies after this is put in place.

doudoune moncler pas cher Robert/Nick: Many thanks for comments. I would have an interest to hear involving almost any benefits for your SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION strategies after this is put in place.
Guest - Louis Vuitton Outlet on Sunday, 23 November 2014 06:20

Louis Vuitton Outlet

Hey there everyone, proceed to hear and also post about grooveshark. com, you in turn become fully trusted once they actually go to court docket concerning this.

Louis Vuitton Outlet Hey there everyone, proceed to hear and also post about grooveshark. com, you in turn become fully trusted once they actually go to court docket concerning this.
Guest - canada goose pas cher on Thursday, 27 November 2014 09:22

canada goose pas cher

NO I actually havent examined the item yet, but chips runs House windows Storage area Server with regard to his vSphere area consequently not well be sure to talk about the item to help the dog for when he attempts to up grade. You will determine our g&

canada goose pas cher NO I actually havent examined the item yet, but chips runs House windows Storage area Server with regard to his vSphere area consequently not well be sure to talk about the item to help the dog for when he attempts to up grade. You will determine our g&
Guest - http://www.shineclub.fr on Thursday, 04 December 2014 07:17

http://www.shineclub.fr

I actually aren't getting just what it can beneficial to start with. Would it be far more and then just the latest/greatest program that does just what all of the other people accomplish anyways? . -= Dennis Edell's last weblog... Opinion Sweepstakes&

http://www.shineclub.fr I actually aren't getting just what it can beneficial to start with. Would it be far more and then just the latest/greatest program that does just what all of the other people accomplish anyways? . -= Dennis Edell's last weblog... Opinion Sweepstakes&
Guest - nike air max pas cher on Wednesday, 10 December 2014 22:13

nike air max pas cher

Thank you! My partner and i spent more than an hour seeking our. htaccess data file and then located that on account of your story!

nike air max pas cher Thank you! My partner and i spent more than an hour seeking our. htaccess data file and then located that on account of your story!
Guest - nike air max pas cher on Wednesday, 10 December 2014 22:52

nike air max pas cher

Wonderful article, good to determine individuals a little interpersonal accountability.

nike air max pas cher Wonderful article, good to determine individuals a little interpersonal accountability.
Guest - sac longchamp pas cher on Thursday, 11 December 2014 23:15

sac longchamp pas cher

Great post! We, as well commenced workboxes the past 7 days of faculty this past year because I simply could hardly wait. I placed nowadays in the website concerning these individuals, too! What a terrific idea, and it also looks like it works regardin&

sac longchamp pas cher Great post! We, as well commenced workboxes the past 7 days of faculty this past year because I simply could hardly wait. I placed nowadays in the website concerning these individuals, too! What a terrific idea, and it also looks like it works regardin&
Guest - cheap timberland boots on Saturday, 13 December 2014 22:21

cheap timberland boots

My partner and i tried out investigating your blog along with our ipod touch along with the structure does not are generally proper. Might want to find out about it about WAP and also seems like almost all mobile phone templates aren't going to be rea&

cheap timberland boots My partner and i tried out investigating your blog along with our ipod touch along with the structure does not are generally proper. Might want to find out about it about WAP and also seems like almost all mobile phone templates aren't going to be rea&
Guest - mulberry outlet uk on Thursday, 18 December 2014 21:14

mulberry outlet uk

Thank you! My partner and i spent greater than 60 minutes in search of the. htaccess file and ultimately observed this because of your article!

mulberry outlet uk Thank you! My partner and i spent greater than 60 minutes in search of the. htaccess file and ultimately observed this because of your article!
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Saturday, 23 November 2024
View Store

Online Training Store

Find our DVDs and downloadable training material online here.

Go to top