Rapid Intervention Crew SOP

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) Guidelines

• The Hoffman Estates Fire Department's policy is to establish a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) within the Incident Management system for all fire incidents.
• The RIC's purpose is to have a designated company standing by in a state of readiness in case of a lost or missing firefighter, reported injured firefighter, catastrophic event, or other condition requiring immediate deployment of a rescue team.

Establishing the RIC

• The Incident Commander should consider the need for RIC at all fire incidents, based on scene conditions and potential risks.
• A minimum company size of three personnel is desired for a RIC.
• If RIC is required, the incident commander should request a Code 4 to get the appropriate resources.

Code 4 and MABAS Box Alarm Incidents

• Automatically at the Code 4 level, Streamwood Fire Department responds with an engine or squad company, designated as the RIC.
• The Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) is assigned to the Streamwood Company to create a 5-6 firefighter RIC, with the Streamwood Company Officer as the RIC Group Supervisor.
• At the MABAS Box Alarm level, the Inverness Fire Department responds with an Engine Company with a minimum of three personnel and a Chief Officer, designated as the RIC.

Rescue Size-Up and Location of RIC

• The RIC reports directly to the Incident Commander, bypassing staging, and positions apparatus in close proximity to the fire scene.
• The RIC Supervisor receives a briefing and specific instructions from the Incident Commander.
• The RIC performs a building walk-around or division evaluation, known as the "RIC Size-Up", to identify:
  • Safety concerns
  • Need and location of second egress points
  • Construction of the structure
  • Building layout
  • Location of crews working inside the structure
  • Potential rescue apparatus placement locations
  • Availability of a back-up hoseline

Tool Selection

• The RIC Size-Up provides information for the RIC Supervisor to determine the most appropriate tools for affecting a rescue of a missing, lost, or trapped firefighter.
• The RIC should be equipped with:
  • Forcible entry tools
  • A set of SCBA and mask (for downed firefighter)
  • 100' of rescue rope
  • Hand lights
• The RIC should also evaluate pre-stretched and charged hose lines for use.

Deployment of RIC

• The RIC is deployed in cases of:
  • Report of lost firefighter or MAYDAY
  • Report of a missing or potentially missing firefighter
  • Report of a trapped firefighter(s)
  • Following a catastrophic event
• The RIC is assigned to conduct search and/or rescue operations, and the Incident Commander requests a Mayday Response and initiates a PAR (roll call) of all companies assigned to the incident.

De-Activation of RIC

• When all risk factors in the hazard zone have been removed and a PAR indicates all personnel are accounted for, the Incident Commander can assign the RIC Supervisor and Safety Officer to complete a final RIC Size-Up.
• The RIC can be de-activated if the final size-up determines it is safe to do so, and the company may be returned to quarters or given a new assignment.

Definitions

• Mayday Response: a predetermined closest geographical response from NWCD for a specific set of apparatus.