The purpose of this section is to provide Standard Operating Guidelines with regards to Rapid Intervention Teams and utilization of such teams at all working fires. This section provide guidance for the Standard Company Functions of the third arriving company.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the RIT is to provide quick intervention for firefighters that become entrapped or otherwise need emergency assistance and to comply with the National Fire Protection Association's Occupational Health and Safety Standard, 1500.

The RIT's primary responsibility is to respond to firefighters in trouble. This is not a fire suppression team or errand runners, and should nto be assigned any function that would impede the response of the team in an emergency. Some responsibilities can be assigned to the RIT, such as filling bottles, advancing hoselines, or other functions deemed necessary by the Incident Commander. These assignments should not be: critical assignments that would take the team away from a staging or deployment area, assignments that would break up the team, or assignments that would prevent quick response.

CHAIN OF COMMAND

Unless otherwise designated the RIT team Leader reports to the Incident Commander or Operations Chief is one is designated.

STAGING/DEPLOYMENT AREAS

Upon arrival the third engine company will accept the responsibility of RIT. An equipment staging area shall be established within sight of the IC or OC and near the main entry area of the structure.

RIT RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the RIT include:

1. Rapid Intervention and Rescue of firefighters
2. Assemble the necessary rescue equipment
3. Provide a means of egress for all multiple story buildings (laddering)
4. Support functions as assigned

All members of the department shall be trained in RIT guidelines, basic search and rescue procedures, rescue tool usage, and firefighter safety and survival.

RIT EQUIPMENT

Basic Equipment shall include:

• Axe
• Pry Bar
• Wire Cutters
• Drag Rope
• Flashlights
• Lifeline/rope

• Hydraulic Tools
• Air Bags
• K-12 Saw
• Chain Saw

• MAYDAY or other distress call may come suddenly and only once
• Ladder all multiple story buildings for quick egress
• Find multiple exits
• RIT should attempt to find out the number and location of personnel and locations of the fire as soon
• As they arrive on the fireground and monitor the activity of all crews
• PASS device activation means someone is in trouble, INVESTIGATE

The IC or OC will make the call to deploy

A Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) should be immediately call

When deployed the IC should call for additional resources, an additional engine, ambulance and Chief Officers

An additional RIT should be assigned (RIT 2)

All other operations should continue, if possible, but company officers should be more alert and listening for low pressure alarms, pass devices, or anything else that might help in locating the victims.

The IC should assign sector commander to listen and watch for any signs of incident escalation

All radio traffic should stop, except for emergency traffic and accomplishments (fire is out, not; pulling a line)

Get full accountability of personnel as soon as possible to determine for sure how many victims you have

In some cases you may not deploy the RIT immediately for fear of further danger, the risk/benefit factor must be considered before deployment of RIT

STANDARD COMPANY FUNCTIONS-RIT TEAM

Captain

• Team Leader
• Report and communicate with IC
• Conduct Size Up
• Conduct a "Walk Around" to assess potential means of egress
• Check Utilities
• Monitor ALL radio traffic, listen for MAYDAY or other distress calls, PASS devices, low pressure
• alarms
• Alert RIT for possible deployment
• Assist in laddering all multiple story buildings
• Watch for signs of collapse

• Establish water supply from first engine to second engine
• Monitor ALL radio traffic, listen for MAYDAY or other distress calls, PASS devices, low pressure alarms
• Assist in laddering all multiple story buildings
• Operates pump panel, or the second due driver/operator would provide water supply with the third sergeant operating as a member of the RIT

• Pull 1.75 inch preconnect line
• Assembles RIT equipment
• Monitor ALL radio traffic, listen for MAYDAY or other distress calls, PASS devices, low pressure alarms

Assists in laddering all multiple story buildings