Firefighting RIT Team Operations

Study Notes

RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) requires a minimum of 4 firefighters, including a company officer.
Engine companies focus on fire suppression and perform initial critical tasks like locating, confining, and extinguishing the fire.
Rapid primary search of the fire area is crucial.
Water supply and the establishment of a Two-Out system are benchmarked on the radio for situational awareness.
A Standby Team of at least two firefighters is assigned prior to RIT establishment for immediate assistance.

Standby Team must remain outside the hazard zone, providing rescue support if needed.
Once RIT is positioned, Standby Team may transition to becoming a Backup Team.
They assist with initial fire attack and hoseline advancement as needed.
Must maintain door control during ventilation-limited fires to manage airflow.

3rd arriving Engine Company typically assumes RIT responsibilities, positioned on the A side of the structure.
4th arriving Engine Company should assess the opposite side of the first engine, focusing on exposure protection.

Primary duties include rescue, coordinated ventilation, and primary search.
Ladder Company responsibilities expand to provide access and egress using ground and aerial ladders.
Forcible entry techniques are essential for enabling firefighting operations.

Life safety is the top priority; officers must ensure the safety of their teams.
An Incident Safety Officer is assigned to assess hazards at significant incidents.
RIT is established when crews enter the hot zone; communication model structured for clarity.

Use the NATO phonetic alphabet for identifying building sides (A, B, C, D).
Initial Radio Reports (IRR) should communicate vital incident details using the IDEAL framework: Identify units, Describe observations, Establish Command, Actions taken, and Let units know next steps.

Conduct a complete 360° prior to engagement to evaluate conditions, potential rescues, and hazards.
Follow-up Report (FUR) updates on conditions, confirmed fire location, operational mode, and resource needs.

Use initial application through smoke holes for steam conversion; focus on decking underside.
Open roofs for complete extinguishment where necessary.
Coordinate vertical ventilation with fire attack efforts; avoid Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) until the fire is under control.

Attached garages can have high fuel loads leading to quick fire spread to living areas.
Fire-rated doors offer protection but must be assumed intact until proven otherwise.
Caution is needed with open garage doors to prevent potential collapse and hazards from overhead storage.