Imagine you wake to smoke in your street, or your brigade is first on scene at a house fire with reports of people missing. Whether you’re at home with your family, a renter in a block of units, or part of a volunteer crew, the reality is the same: search and rescue operations can mean the difference between panic and survival.

In this guide, we break down what search and rescue really looks like in Australian emergencies—from bushfires to house fires, remote rescues to neighbourhood evacuations. We’ll cover what everyone can do to be safer, how fire crews prepare and respond, and the real mistakes people make under stress. No matter your role or background, knowing how to act—and how to support others—can save lives. Let’s walk through it, step by step.

Pro tip: Keeping a ready-packed Safety and Go Bag in your home, workplace, or fire appliance means you can act quickly if a search, evacuation, or rescue unfolds. For both families and emergency crews, these bags are a practical foundation—torch, water, first aid, and critical info always within reach.

Search and rescue (SAR) means looking for people who might be lost, trapped, or in danger during emergencies—and bringing them to safety. In a fire context, that could be:

• Fire crews searching a burning building for occupants
• Neighbours helping each other evacuate as a bushfire approaches
• Volunteers checking rural properties for people or pets left behind
• Crews rescuing a vehicle crash victim on a smoky, dangerous road

It’s not just for firefighters. Every Australian can play a part—by planning ahead, knowing what to do, and working together when things go wrong.

Nobody expects to be the one needing rescue. But when it happens, the difference between a smooth operation and chaos often comes down to preparation—on both sides.

• At home: Practising your fire escape plan, marking exits, and making sure everyone (including kids, older adults, and pets) knows what to do.
• On the fireground: Crews check gear before every shift, talk through likely risks, and assign clear roles so nothing is missed under pressure.

After years supporting families and crews, I’ve seen that simple steps—like keeping keys near exits or storing a go-bag in your car—make rescues faster and safer for everyone involved.

For Households and Individuals

• Walk through your home or building—identify every exit, including windows.
• Choose a meeting point outside, well away from danger zones.
• Teach every family member (including children) how to unlock doors and windows, even in the dark.
• Practise your escape plan a couple of times a year—try it at night for realism.
• If you live with disability, chronic illness, or mobility challenges, arrange extra support and a backup plan. Share your plan with neighbours or friends.
• Label your house clearly at the front—visible from the street even in smoke.

For renters: Don’t assume safety is “someone else’s job.” Know your exits, report blocked corridors, and never prop open fire doors.

For Fire Crews and Emergency Responders

• Start every shift with a gear check—BA sets, radios, torches, and thermal imagers.
• Review your incident action plan and make sure all team members understand the objectives and fallback plans.
• Identify special risks: solar panels, hazardous materials, pets, multi-storey layouts, or vulnerable people on site.
• Plan search patterns: left-hand, right-hand, or specific room-by-room tactics, and allocate a safety officer where possible.
• Discuss entry and exit routes before deploying. Always have a backup exit.

Little-known tip: If in doubt, “go slow to go fast.” Rushed entry or searching alone are two of the most common mistakes on the fireground.

On the Fireground (Firefighters & Emergency Services)

1. Size-Up: Gather info from witnesses, neighbours, and dispatch. Where are people likely to be? Any special risks?
2. Entry: Crews use protective gear, keep low to avoid smoke, and move methodically through the building or site.
3. Search Pattern: Stick together (buddy system). Use a consistent search method—left wall, right wall, or grid—so no area is missed.
4. Rescue: If people or pets are found, prioritise safe removal. Pass information to backup teams, paramedics, or animal rescue as needed.
5. Ongoing Safety: Conditions change rapidly. Crews continually reassess risks, watch for collapse, flashover, or new hazards.

At Home or Work (General Public)

1. Stay Calm: If you can’t get out safely, go to a safer room with a window and close the door behind you.
2. Signal for Help: Wave a light or cloth from the window. Call emergency services and give your exact location.
3. Support Others: Help children, elderly, or pets escape first. If smoke is present, stay low and cover your nose/mouth.
4. Never Re-enter: Once out, never go back in for belongings or pets. Let responders handle the search.

• Forgetting to plan for pets or mobility aids: This causes delays and stress for all involved. Prep leads and gear near exits—label important meds or equipment for easy grab-and-go.
• Not sharing your escape plan: If visitors, housemates, or support workers don’t know your plan, confusion reigns. Put your plan up on the fridge or inside the front door.
• Blocking or locking exits: Everyday clutter, padlocks, or furniture can turn a minor fire into a tragedy. Keep hallways and exits clear at all times.
• Trying to “go back in” for valuables: Even seasoned responders find this hard. Have a clear rule: lives before things. Practise leaving empty-handed.
• On the fireground: Rushing, splitting up, or not marking searched areas—these mistakes risk lives. Stick with your team, communicate, and use simple marking systems (chalk, tape, or tags).

Immediate Recovery Steps

• Get a medical check—even if you feel fine. Smoke, stress, and minor injuries add up fast.
• For crews: Log the incident, return gear for cleaning/inspection, and check in with your officer or team leader.
• Debrief as soon as possible. Share what worked, what didn’t, and how you felt—mental health matters as much as physical recovery.
• Support each other: whether you’re a family, housemates, or a brigade crew, look out for delayed stress reactions or anxiety.

Practical Recovery and Documentation

• Document what happened for insurance or future planning. Take photos of damage and note timings and actions.
• For incident controllers or captains: Review incident logs, ensure everyone is accounted for, and flag any lessons for future training.

Don’t rush the “return to normal.” Trauma and adrenaline can take days or weeks to settle. Be patient with yourself and your crew.

Urban Apartments and High-Rise Buildings

Know your building’s layout, stairwells, and fire doors. In a high-rise, lifts can be deadly during fire—always use stairs. For crews, expect complex evacuations, poor visibility, and diverse language or mobility needs.

Rural Homes and Farms

Distance and access are the big challenges. Make sure property entrances are clearly marked and not locked, and that tracks are passable for large vehicles. Rural properties often mean animals, machinery, and multiple outbuildings—brief everyone on where people and pets are likely to be.

Remote, Bush, or Outback

Time is critical in remote areas. If you’re travelling, always share your plans with someone, carry a charged phone and backup power, and know the nearest emergency meeting spot. For crews, coordinate with SES or police for search support, and prepare for longer operations—water, comms, and navigation tools are a must.

Fire or search teams: Always leave clear signage or messages for other crews or rescuers, especially if you change search areas or priorities.

Whether you’re a family, a group of mates, or a fire crew, the strongest rescues come from working together. Clear, simple communication is the real lifesaver.

• Use plain words—no need for jargon in a crisis. “I’m out,” “Fire in kitchen,” or “Dog is with me” are all better than confusion.
• Check in with your team—don’t assume everyone is keeping up. Ask, “Is everyone with us?” before moving on.
• For crews: Confirm radio channels before entering, and use buddy systems. Mark searched rooms clearly, and log every action.
• For public: If you escape, meet at the agreed point and do a headcount. Tell emergency crews who’s safe and who’s missing.

Remember: In the chaos of fire, calm words and visible signals (torches, waving, calling out) keep everyone safer.

Want more on this? See our guide: Mastering Fireground Radio Communication

Useful links for extra support:
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) guide |
Campfire safety for families and campers |
Cleaning firefighting gear

Take five minutes today to talk over your escape plan, check your go-bag, or share this guide with someone you care about. Whether you’re at home or on the frontline, a little planning now can make all the difference later.