Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures PDF #501 Rapid Intervention Team 09/01/2017

Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures # 501 I. RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM 09/01/2017 PURPOSE: A. To provide a plan for the rescue of trapped or injured fire department personnel when a lifethreatening situation is imminent. B. The Rapid Intervention Team is a fire department Engin...

Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures # 501 I. RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM 09/01/2017 PURPOSE: A. To provide a plan for the rescue of trapped or injured fire department personnel when a lifethreatening situation is imminent. B. The Rapid Intervention Team is a fire department Engine Company dispatched with an assignment, for the purpose of locating and then aiding in the rescue of firefighters who are lost, trapped, injured, disoriented, have a medical problem, or any other reason for immediate rescue or other assistance. C. Examples: 1. A firefighter injury that is severe enough to require assistance for removal from the emergency site, or when disorientated or running low on air. 2. A collapse, explosion, etc. at an incident, where firefighting personnel are unaccounted. 3. A reported sustained activation of a PASS device, either audible or through the PakTracker. D. The main focus of the RIT should be to quickly and safely locate the distressed firefighter(s), assess and compliment their air supply as necessary and then formulate a plan for firefighter removal. All of this is to be done under the direct coordination of the RIT Officer and through communications with the Incident Commander E. Once a Company is assigned RIT for an incident, that company will be the RIT for the duration of the incident. This means that if an IC needs additional manpower or resources, the IC shall call for additional companies or have them waiting in staging. Having the initial RIT remain as RIT is vital. The RIT arrives early in the incident, gains information on the location of companies operating, has an understanding of the structure, and how the situation has progressed. If a new RIT is assigned, this information is either lost or has to be learned again. II. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Incident Commander 1. Recognizing the need for a Rapid Intervention Team. 2. Assure that the Rapid Intervention Team is in place, properly equipped and ready to be activated. Page 1 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM # 501 09/01/2017 3. Exchange ongoing incident information with the RIT. (i.e. location of fire and companies) 4. Ensure that adequate numbers and types of resources are on scene or ready to be deployed from staging in the event that the situation escalates and more resources are needed. The RIT shall not be reassigned to perform the functions of other companies or used as manpower. 5. At large or rapidly growing incidents, consider increasing the number of companies assigned to the Rapid Intervention Team, or the number of Rapid Intervention Teams. a) Example: At a large warehouse fire, a separate Rapid Intervention Team might be assigned to each sector side of the building. 6. When a Rapid Intervention Team is deployed, the IC will assign a hose team to provide fire protection for the duration of the rescue if necessary. 7. During an RIT Activation it is important for the IC to attempt to establish and maintain contact with the distressed firefighter(s) and then communicate their location, needs or conditions to the RIT as necessary. Keeping in contact with the distressed firefighter(s), may help the distressed firefighter(s) to improve their own situation, which could allow the firefighter(s) to self-extricate or improve the ability of the RIT to give assistance. B. Company Officers 1. Understand the purpose of a Rapid Intervention Team 2. When designated as the Rapid Intervention Team, company officers will assure that ALL COMPANY MEMBERS are in Full Personal Protective Equipment with appropriate tools. 3. The company officer will bring the entire company to the 1st Due Ladder to retrieve the RIT kit. The RIT kit will be stored in a marked compartment on the officer’s side of the apparatus. This kit includes: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) SCOTT RIT PACK - SCBA with face piece and 1hour bottle 150 ft. of High Point Removal System S.O.R.D. 200’ Search Rope AED (From the RIT Engine) Set of Irons (From the RIT Engine) Stokes Basket to carry all equipment and to be used in a RIT deployment SCOTT Pak-Tracker (brought to Command Post by Battalion Aide) Thermal Imaging Camera (brought to Command Post by Battalion Aide) Page 2 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures # 501 RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM 09/01/2017 4. The Thermal Imaging Camera and the Scott Pak-Tracker will be carried in the Battalion Car, and will be brought to the Command Post by the Battalion Aide. The IC or Aide can use the TIC to assist in their size up, and upon the arrival of the RIT, the RIT Officer will be given the Thermal Imaging Camera and Pak-Tracker for use prior to and during an activation of the RIT. 5. Request ongoing incident information from the IC and monitor the fire-ground radio communication. (i.e. location of fire and companies) 6. For communications on the Fire Ground Channel, the company officer will answer on the radio as their assigned Company and "RIT", ie: “ENGINE 5 RIT” 7. During an activation of the RIT the Company Officer is responsible for: a) Keeping IC informed of the progress of the RIT b) Use of the Thermal Imaging Camera and Pak-Tracker to aid in the locating of a downed firefighter(s) and monitoring fire conditions. c) Notifying the IC if the downed firefighter(s) have been found d) Assessing and then notifying the IC the condition of the downed firefighter(s) and the status of their air supply e) Requesting additional resources that may be needed f) Monitoring the air supply of all members involved in the RIT Operation g) Monitoring the fire conditions and interior structural conditions h) Ensure the overall safety of the RIT members C. Pumper Engineer - Will answer as "Engine 5 RIT Pump" on the Fire Ground Channel 1. Responsible for establishing an exit path and assembling any kind of system needed within the structure for extraction of the downed firefighter(s). 2. Will assist with disentanglement / extraction as necessary. 3. Carries Pak-Tracker to aid in the search for the downed firefighter(s) 4. The PE is also responsible for securing and deploying a tag line/search rope in structures and/or situations that warrant the use., deploys Exit Device D. Hydrant Firefighter - Will answer as "Engine 5 RIT Hydrant" on the Fire Ground Channel 1. Responsible for assessing and managing the downed firefighter(s) face mask and air supply. 2. Communicates downed firefighters air status to RIT Officer at regular intervals. Page 3 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures # 501 RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM 09/01/2017 3. Carries the Scott RIT Pack 4. Assists in removal of downed firefighter(s). E. Nozzle Firefighter - Will answer as "Engine 5 RIT Nozzle" on the Fire Ground Channel 1. Responsible for converting the harness of the downed firefighter(s) and begin the disentanglement / extrication process as required under the direction of the RIT Officer. 2. Carries the Irons III. DEFINITIONS: None IV. PROCEDURES: A. On all full assignments, the 4th Due Engine Company will be dispatched as the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team). In cases where the Engine assigned RIT arrives 1st or 2nd due, the officer will notify the responding Assistant Chief and he/she will assign a new RIT engine from the responding companies. B. The RIT will proceed directly to the 1st Due Ladder Company with all members, in full protective clothing, with SCBA, and forcible entry tools. Once there, they will take the RIT kit and check if everything is included. They will check the RIT PACK, making sure the bottle is full. They will retrieve the thermal imaging camera and Pak-Tracker from the IC or Battalion Aide at the Command Post, then test to make sure they are operational. 1. If the Operations Branch has been staffed, RIT will report to Operations. 2. If the R I T officer determines that specialized tools, which they do not have, may be needed at the incident, the team may get them from other companies. The RIT becomes responsible for all equipment removed and must return it, in proper condition, to the place it was taken from. C. The RIT officer will review the Incident Control Sheet with the Chief’s Aide to become aware of conditions at the incident. Items that the RIT officer should be aware of include: 1. Building construction, (Does it have lightweight trusses? Is it ordinary construction with fire-cut joists? Is it balloon frame construction? etc.) 2. Extent of fire and fire operations. (Are companies making progress? How long have they been fighting the fire? Are they in offensive or defensive mode?) Page 4 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures # 501 RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM 09/01/2017 3. What companies are on scene and where are they assigned? Knowing the locations of the operating companies and how long they have been operating is the highest priority of the RIT. D. RIT officer will find out where the IC wants the RIT to stage. E. RIT officer will review the pre-fire plan, if one has been made for the incident location, with the entire RIT. F. RIT will perform a 360 inspection of the building to assess the incident. It is expected that the RIT will “soften the building”, meaning they will remove any FF traps, steel bars, plywood etc. If the first due truck has not done so, the RIT will place a ladder to the highest point where firefighters are working as an escape ladder. The RIT Officer will notify the companies on scene of its location by radio. It is important, however, that the RIT not become so involved in performing on scene operations that they become overworked or lose focus of their main objective, which is the safety of firefighters operating on scene. Other things to look for include: 1. Building construction features that might help or hinder a quick rescue (porches, overhangs, large windows, pits or pools close by, etc.) 2. Other potential hazards (overhead wires, unaddressed utilities, etc.) Caution: Members should not create uncoordinated ventilation openings while softening the building. These opening can and will affect the flowpath of the fire within the structure. G. RIT officer will review the information gathered with the entire company to assure all members of the team are aware of conditions. H. RIT will continually monitor radio communications, and look over the incident scene to keep abreast of the current conditions. I. The team will standby, ready for search and rescue of trapped and/or injured firefighters when ordered by the IC. J. If the RIT is activated, the IC will request additional resources in accordance to MAYDAY SOP #503, which will consist of an additional Engine, Ladder, Battalion Chief and Ambulance(s) to assist in the RIT Operation. K. If the RIT is activated, ensure the Deputy Chief on call is aware of the situation. Page 5 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures # 501 RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM Rev. 10/10/01 Rev. 08/01/03 Rev. 01/16/09 Rev. 09/28/15 Rev. 09/01/17 BY ORDER OF THE FIRE CHIEF Page 6 09/01/2017