1021.07.00 - Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).pdf

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Protocol 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Adopted: March 24, 2003 Effective Date: June 1, 2023 Last Revised Date: October 1, 2021 Revision Number: 2 Due for Revision Date: October 2024 # 1021.07.0...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Protocol 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Adopted: March 24, 2003 Effective Date: June 1, 2023 Last Revised Date: October 1, 2021 Revision Number: 2 Due for Revision Date: October 2024 # 1021.07.00 Table of Contents 1021.07.01 1021.07.02 1021.07.03 Purpose Scope Definitions C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\c1775f96-4a62-4098-8ce5-05eb6cff642d.doc Page 1 of 5 1021.07.01 Purpose The purpose of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is to provide a dedicated team of emergency personnel ready to rescue emergency personnel who become lost, trapped, and/or injured in the hot zone of an incident and cannot remove themselves. This has been written in accordance with NFPA, OSHA standards and regulations, and approval of the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association. 1021.07.02 Scope The RIT will be established on all emergency incidents where emergency personnel are engaged in activities in the hot zone and/or where an IDLH atmosphere is present or members are subject to special hazards, or at the determination of the Incident Commander (IC). 1021.07.03 Definitions Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC): A minimum of two (2) fully-equipped personnel on site, in a ready state, for immediate rescue of injured or trapped emergency personnel. The IRIC’s sole purpose is to locate and remove lost, disoriented, medically disabled, trapped or entangled emergency personnel until a full Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) can be established. Rapid Intervention Team (RIT): An established RIT should be a minimum of three (3) trained personnel during an offensive or complex emergency operation. The difference between an IRIC and an established RIT is that RIT is an actual assigned function under IMS. RIT requires an appropriate number of personnel for the situation, has appropriate equipment dedicated to them and critical procedures pertaining to onscene organization and preparation. RIT Assignment: The RIT should be considered a dedicated assignment for any offensive structure fire operation, large brush fire, special operations or complex operation and/or when a crew is operating in an IDLH environment. If the RIT is assigned for Special Operations, see RIT’s SOG for Special Operations. Assigned personnel should be trained in RIT deployment procedures. It is at the discretion of the IC to assign more than one RIT for more complex incidents and be staged at difference locations. RIT Equipment: The RIT will stage all appropriate equipment on a designated yellow tarp, if possible, for the best tactical advantage for safety and rapid deployment based upon the direction of the Incident Commander or Operations Officer. An example of equipment stated should include, but not be limited to, thermal imaging camera, portable radios, hand lights, search ropes with carabineers, webbing, forcible entry tools, SCBA’s with quick fill hoses, power saws, extrication equipment, medical equipment including oxygen, backboard or stokes basket, SAED and/or cardiac monitor/defibrillator. Other equipment may also be staged depending on the emergency operations taking place. A survey of the scene for larger resources, such as aerial apparatus placement and a variety of ground ladders, should be accomplished. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\c1775f96-4a62-4098-8ce5-05eb6cff642d.doc Page 2 of 5 It is important that Department members understand that RIT equipment staged at the yellow tarp is for their use only and not available for other assignments. Staging: RIT-IRIC team will be established and placed at a strategic location at the incident by direction of the Incident Commander or Operations Officer. Responsibilities: All Members. It will be the responsibility of all members to exercise the appropriate control dictated by his/her rank in the implementation of this Operational Guideline. Incident Commander (IC): The IC will assign RIT duties, identify the location of the staging area for the RIT and determine when the RIT is deployed for rescue. If the RIT is deployed for an emergency personnel rescue, the IC will call for additional resources at once.  Upon deploying the RIT, the Operations Officer, Safety Officer, RIT Team and the unit reporting “May-Day” will operate on the TAC Channel the May-Day was called on.  Establish an additional RIT team for the initial operations.  All CREWS remain on the assigned fire ground channel...DO NOT change channels unless needed. Rapid Intervention Team: The RIT will monitor the designated TAC channel that the crews are working on. This is imperative as it will assure that any “May-Day” radio traffic will be heard. The RIT Team shall be prepared to go into service at a moments notice. RIT activity at the emergency scene should be consistent with their mission: Locating and removing lost, injured, or trapped emergency personnel in the Hot Zone that cannot remove themselves. RIT Officer: Immediately report to the Command Post and get a briefing from the IC to determine who the team should report to, where the team should stage and what radio frequency that Operations is working off. The Officer will take full advantage of the information from pre-fire plans, if available. At the Command Post the RIT Officer should gather the following information:  Location of all crews and their assignments  On-site hazards  Structure fire - Burning time - Building construction and age - Pertinent information pertaining to the building - Extent of fire C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\c1775f96-4a62-4098-8ce5-05eb6cff642d.doc Page 3 of 5 The RIT Officer shall brief all RIT members with above information at the staging area so a verbal incident action plan can be determined.  Conduct a 360° survey of the fire building or hazard location to gather the following information: - Occupancy size and possible rescue concerns - Building construction to determine tools needed - Impact glass windows - Structural instability and collapse hazards - Fire progress - Access and egress points - Access obstacles - Note firefighter locations - Report any uncontrolled utilities When working multiple floors, the RIT Officer shall alert Operations as to whether or not ladders or a second means of egress are in place or not so that this information can be passed on to interior crews. RIT Team Members: Report directly to the RIT Officer and receive information as listed above. Team members are responsible for the following:  Monitor fire ground radio communications  Place tool/equipment staging at designated location by Incident Commander or Operations Officer  Make plans regarding access and egress points  Review specific rescue scenarios  Determine member functions if deployed  Personnel must maintain a high level of readiness by having full protective clothing in a state of readiness along with SCBA equipment.  Make sure all equipment is in working order (TIC, power tools, etc.)  Be prepared to set up ground ladders at elevated window openings for an escape angle, if possible. Perform duties as assigned by the IC (any duties assigned to the RIT shall be duties that if stopped will not affect fire ground operations or firefighter safety). Upon deployment for trapped or missing emergency personnel, the RIT will continue search and rescue operations until:  The missing or trapped firefighter(s) are located and removed  The RIT is relieved  The RIT is ordered to terminate the operations C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\c1775f96-4a62-4098-8ce5-05eb6cff642d.doc Page 4 of 5 RIT Assignments: Entering the building for rescue:  The RIT Officer will ensure that proper, initial equipment is secured and taken in with the RIT team. Additional equipment needed for rescue operations, if necessary, will be called for at the direction of the RIT Officer. Rescue Operation: Once the downed emergency worker is found, the RIT Officer will give direction and make appropriate team decisions. The following procedures are to be considered:  Silence PASS device on victim  All team members simultaneously stop breathing for a moment to determine if victim is breathing  Evaluate amount of remaining air in victim’s cylinder, if possible  Evaluate any break in the integrity of the air supply (face mask, regulator, etc.)  Rectify any air supply issues (attach to supplied air, replace mask, replace regulator)  Evaluate for entrapment  Determine if extra crews are needed to assist  Determine if special tools or equipment need to be brought to the scene  Remove member(s) from the Hot Zone Exiting the Building with Victim:  The RIT Officer will determine the most appropriate means of egress NOTE: In the event of deployment of the RIT, the IC must call for additional resources, maintain incident control, support RIT operations and continue emergency ground activities. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\c1775f96-4a62-4098-8ce5-05eb6cff642d.doc Page 5 of 5