Standard Operating Guidelines / Procedures

HUGHESTOWN HOSE COMPANY Standard Operating Guidelines / Procedures #4315 – Rapid Intervention Team Responses

Effective: 06/01/2010 Revised: 04/01/11

Purpose: The primary purpose of the RIT Team is to be readily available to initiate and effectively rescue a downed, trapped, lost, disoriented, or an otherwise distressed firefighter. A RIT Team should be established at all incidents where Immediate Danger to Life or Health (IDLH) exists.

1. Minimum Staffing:

1.1. The RIT Team should consist of a minimum of three (3) interior qualified firefighters. In addition, the RIT Officer can expand the team, as personnel availability exists.

1.1.1. In the event that the RIT Team cannot meet the minimum staffing requirement, it is up to the RIT Officer to make Incident Command aware so that available personnel can be re-assigned to the RIT Team as they become available.

1.2. The RIT Officer can separate the team into two (2) functional groups as manpower permits. If two groups are to be operational, they must have a minimum of three (3) interior qualified firefighters per team.

1.3. At the discretion of the RIT Officer, when asked by Incident Command to assist on the fire ground during times of low manpower, the RIT Team can assist on the fire ground as long as the integrity of the team is not compromised which would require three (3) interior qualified firefighters standing by as the RIT Team at all times. (No Exceptions)

1.4. The above standards are minimum guidelines only and situations may require the need for additional resources.

2. Staging:

2.1. Upon arrival of the RIT Team, a staging area will need to be established. The following considerations should be given when establishing the RIT Staging Area:

2.1.1. Should be located near the Command Post.

2.1.1.1. If unable to do so, the RIT Officer shall remain near the Incident Commander.

2.1.2. Should be separate from the fire ground staging area.

of 5 HUGHESTOWN HOSE COMPANY Standard Operating Guidelines / Procedures #4315 – Rapid Intervention Team Responses

2.1.3. The area used for RIT Staging should offer a view of two (2) sides of the incident, preferably where most fire ground activities are occurring.

2.2. All RIT Team members in staging will be required to wear full Personal Protective Equipment with an SCBA on.

3. Required Equipment:

3.1. The following equipment list will be considered the primary equipment required in staging for all RIT Team Assignments:

3.1.1. Cordless Reciprocating Saw 3.1.2. Hooks 3.1.3. Ladders – (Minimum of a 24' Extension) 3.1.4. RIT Pack – Rope 3.1.5. RIT Pack – SCBA 3.1.6. Saws 3.1.7. Search Rope – (One Bag for each RIT Team) 3.1.8. Scott PAK TRACKER (If Available) 3.1.9. Set of Forcible Entry Irons 3.1.10. Thermal Imaging Camera

4. Secondary Equipment:

4.1. The following equipment list will be considered the secondary equipment required in staging when available for RIT Team Assignments:

4.1.1. Additional Forcible Entry Tools 4.1.2. Additional Saws 4.1.3. Airbags 4.1.4. Electric Cord Reels 4.1.5. Extrication Blanket(s) 4.1.6. Hose Line – (Which Should be Readily Available) 4.1.7. Hydraulic Rescue Tool System – (Including Portable Power Unit and Extra Hydraulic Hose) 4.1.8. Portable Lighting 4.1.9. Sump Pump 4.1.10. Torches

5. Pro-Active Tactics while in Staging:

5.1. Upon arrival, the RIT Team should perform a complete 360 Degree Assessment / Size Up walk around of the incident. The walk around should allow the RIT Team members to obtain the following information or meet the following objectives:

5.1.1. Observe and note the fire and building conditions.

5.1.2. Note all Egress Points.

5.1.2.1. Forcible entry can be accomplished at this time to provide for secondary egress points, including exterior basement doors and windows protected by steel bars or grates. All entry points should be cleared of any obstructions.

5.1.3. Observe and note where all of the initial companies are operating.

5.1.4. Note initial ladder placement.

5.1.4.1. The RIT Team shall ensure that ladders are placed to all levels of the building where firefighters are operating and that each side of the building is laddered when possible.

5.1.5. Control any obvious utilities during this size up. Such utilities include but are not limited to gas meters, propane tanks, electrical panel boxes, and water shut offs.

5.1.6. Note any special hazards

5.1.7. Give final report to the Incident Commander upon completion of the walk around and share the same information with other RIT Team members.

5.2. The RIT Officer will monitor the fire ground frequency, listening for any reported MAYDAY. All other RIT Team members will use a secondary fire ground frequency for any RIT Team communications.

5.3. All RIT Team members should listen for any activated PASS devices while on the fire ground.

5.4. The RIT Team shall continually monitor the fire and building conditions, noting any rapid changes.

5.5. The RIT Officer may divide the RIT Team into two (2) functional groups for deployment. The RIT Officer will ensure that both teams have adequate equipment and are each equipped with a bag of search rope.

5.6. Dependent upon building size and construction, the RIT Officer may ask Incident Command for an additional Truck / Ladder Company to augment the availability of ground ladders on the fire ground.

6. MAYDAY Policy:

6.1. Each department must have an established MAYDAY Policy in place. The policy should address the proper terminology to be used in case firefighters encounter a "distressed" situation. The policy should also address activated PASS Alarms on the fire ground.

6.2. For additional information on MAYDAY policies, please refer to SOG # 4306.

7. RIT Team Activations:

7.1. The following items should occur in the event a MAYDAY transmission is received:

7.1.1. All RIT Team members will switch their radios to the fire ground frequency.

7.1.2. The RIT Officer will attempt to obtain the following information from Incident Command:

7.1.2.1. Location 7.1.2.2. Name(s) of "distressed" firefighter(s) 7.1.2.3. Last known assignment 7.1.2.4. Type of problem encountered 7.1.2.5. Special needs

7.1.3. The RIT Team will attempt to maintain radio contact with the "distressed" firefighter(s).

7.2. Incident Command may request a second RIT Team once the primary team is deployed.

7.3. If the RIT Team has been broken into two functional groups, the teams should attempt to enter the building from two different access points.

7.4. Each RIT Team deployed must use a search rope and standard "wall search" techniques.

7.5. Upon locating a "distressed" firefighter, the RIT Team will provide Incident Command with a status report, which includes:

7.5.1. Location 7.5.2. Escape Route 7.5.3. Special Needs

7.6. The "distressed" firefighter should be removed as quickly and safely as possible.

8. Commercial / Large Incident Considerations:

8.1. The RIT Officer may ask Incident Command to assign a second RIT Team for incidents that occur in commercial buildings or for incidents where an excessive number of emergency responders may be operating.

9. High-Rise Considerations:

9.1. The RIT Team shall set up RIT Staging two (2) floors below the fire floor when possible.

10. Disbanding the RIT Team:

10.1. Once the RIT Team is in staging, the team should remain intact until Incident Command disbands the team. It is recommended that this does not occur until all life safety hazards have been eliminated or the incident has been completely terminated.

______Jamie Merlino Fire Chief