During structural firefighting, what is the main purpose of a secondary search?

The main purpose of a secondary search in structural firefighting is to locate additional victims. While ensuring the area is safe, as indicated in the other choice, is crucial, the primary objective of conducting a secondary search is to confirm that no one has been left behind in a structure that may have experienced a fire.

A primary search focuses on quickly checking the most easily accessible areas to find individuals potentially trapped inside. Once this initial search has been conducted, the secondary search aims to be more thorough, examining all areas of the structure, including those that are less accessible or may have been missed during the primary search. This is vital for ensuring that all occupants have been accounted for, especially if conditions change during firefighting efforts.

Safety while conducting this search is essential but is a secondary consideration to the primary goal of victim recovery.