Section III-16

Rapid Intervention Team

Purpose:  To establish guidelines for Three Star Fire Department personnel called upon to perform the demanding function of the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) in accordance with NFPA 1500, 6-5. To provide a minimum crew(s) of two (2) trained personnel to establish on the fire ground for the primary purpose of being readily available to initiate rescue in any incidents involving trapped, lost, missing, or disoriented firefighters.  To operate in the safest manner possible to rescue, remove, and resolve the firefighter(s) hazardous situation.

Scope: This guideline applies to any situation where a firefighter or group of firefighters find themselves in an IDLH environment (collapse, structure fires, major accidents, airplane crashes, hazardous materials situations, etc.) while operating on the fire grounds. It is not limited to structure fires.  These guidelines apply to all personnel operating on the fire ground as a RIT member.

The Incident Commander will call for mutual aid (if not already accomplished) for purposes of performing RIT operations.

The Incident Commander will call for Ambulance services.

Policy: 

The RIT shall:

• be permitted to be flexible based on Fire Department-special conditions, type of incident and size, and complexity of operations.  The Incident Commander shall evaluate the situation and the risks to operating crews and shall provide (1) one or more Rapid Intervention Teams, depending on the needs of the incident.

• assemble near, but not directly at the command post, so that a visual contact with the Incident Commander and can be maintained during the incident.  The RIT leader shall attempt to make a face-to-face contact with the Incident Commander.

• stage so they can see at least (2) two sides of the building structure, or incident.  Larger incidents may require more that (1) one RIT at opposite sides.

• not participate in any other fire ground operations that would preclude them from quick deployment.  Assisting is allowed at no expense to their mission.

• be equipped with them the following equipment, as available:  SCBA, radio, thermal imaging camera, forcible entry tools, hand lights.

• make entry at the at the quickest, closest, and safest point, based on last known location of lost, missing, injured, trapped, or disoriented firefighter(s).

• maintain radio contact with the Incident Commander and firefighter(s) in distress.

• use the Personnel Accountability system.

• look for evidence of building structures or locations that were described by the firefighter(s) in distress.

• listen for sounds of PASS alarms, SCBA low flow alarm (See Section II-3), shouts of help, tapping sounds once entry is made.

• be alert and look for equipment that may have been used by firefighter(s) that will assist in locating firefighter(s) in distress.

When firefighters are located, the RIT shall:

• turn off PASS alarm.

• notify the Incident Commander that firefighter(s) have been located and give best-known location.

• check firefighter(s) for breathing.  If not breathing, remove firefighter(s) immediately by the most expedient means available.  If breathing, check SCBA air supply.

• attempt to drag, carry, and or extricate firefighter(s) to safe position.

• if firefighter(s) must be abandoned temporarily, activate his/her PASS device, use search rope in place while you relocate to a safer position.  Abandoning should be last resort.