Clearwater Fire And Rescue Department Rapid Intervention Teams SOP PDF

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 609 SUBJECT: Rapid Intervention Teams PAGE 1 OF 4 CATEGORY: S...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 609 SUBJECT: Rapid Intervention Teams PAGE 1 OF 4 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Operations Suppression APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/03/1999 REVISION DATE: 08/28/2017 REVIEWED DATE: 05/24/2022 SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: CFR-052 Rev: 11/10 A/C R.I.T. Activation Check List NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. PURPOSE: The Clearwater Fire & Rescue places the safety of all personnel as a top priority. This SOP will apply to all personnel on any response, drill, or activity where a firefighter is to enter an atmosphere or environment that can be considered dangerous to the life or health of members of the department. The use of Rapid Intervention Teams will be staffed or utilized in these situations to ensure a rescue team is available if an incident occurs. The primary responsibility of the Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.) is to locate, provide air supply if needed, protect from fire, and determine resources needed for the removal of a downed firefighter. This policy conforms to NFPA 1407 (Standard for Training Fire Service Rapid Intervention Crews 2010 Edition). 609.1 Incident Commander Responsibilities A. The Incident Commander shall establish Rapid Intervention Team(s): 1. at all structure responses, 2. anytime a firefighter is at risk of becoming lost, trapped, or injured by the environment or structure, 3. this may include operating at a building collapse, confined space rescue, gas leaks, hazmat, or technical rescue, 4. and anytime that the Incident Commander deems necessary. 609.2 Composition A. The Rapid Intervention Team will consist of a minimum of three personnel; one must be an officer or acting officer. SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/03/1999 S.O.P. 609 Rapid Intervention Teams REVISION DATE: 08/28/2017 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 2 OF 4 Operations Suppression 609.3 Assignments A. Per SOP 627, SOP 629, and SOP 637 (Emergency Incidents at Single Family Dwelling Fires, Emergency Operations at Multi-Family Dwelling Fires, and Emergency Operations at Commercial Building Fires), the third arriving engine company will assume the R.I.T. duties, unless otherwise ordered by the Incident Commander. B. Per SOP 615 (High Rise Operations), the first squad and second rescue will assume the R.I.T. duties one floor below the fire floor; unless otherwise ordered by the Incident Commander. C. If the size of the building dictates, additional R.I.T.(s) can be assigned by the Incident Commander. 609.4 Tools and Equipment A. The R.I.T. is to be equipped as follows: 1. Full PPE in place with SCBA donned except for facepiece 2. R.I.T. bag from Command Vehicle or Squad which includes search rope 3. High anchor hauling/lowering bag 4. Portable radio 5. Powerful hand light 6. Set of forcible entry tools 7. Thermal Imager 8. In large commercial structures, the large area/team search bag from T45, T48, or S49 will be needed. 609.5 Staging Location A. The R.I.T. should normally be staged on side alpha within line of sight of the Incident Commander unless otherwise directed. B. Extra equipment that may be kept at the staging area may include the following: 1. Stokes Basket 2. Chain saw 3. Attack line 4. K-12 saw 5. Ladder of appropriate size for the structure 6. Lifting equipment/ Shoring SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/03/1999 S.O.P. 609 Rapid Intervention Teams REVISION DATE: 08/28/2017 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 3 OF 4 Operations Suppression 609.6 R.I.T. Responsibilities A. The primary responsibility of the R.I.T. is to locate, provide air supply, protect from fire, and determine any additional resources for the rescue of a downed or lost firefighter. B. The R.I.T. Company Officer shall obtain the following information and monitor the following radio traffic for: 1. What companies are operating in danger zones and what are their assignments? 2. What divisions or groups have been established? 3. Chaotic radio traffic 4. Low air alarms 5. PASS devices 6. Priority traffic 7. Maydays 609.7 Proactive Tasks A. Proactive tasks are minimal physically demanding tasks to prevent firefighters from getting in trouble. B. If proactive tasks are to be accomplished, one member of the R.I.T. must be at the staging location for face-to-face communication if needed. That member must also have accountability and communication via radio, visual, or voice with the other R.I.T. members. C. Proactive tasks include but are not limited to: 1. Monitor tactical channel 2. A complete 360 of the scene and repeated at every 20 min notification 3. Assist or complete laddering of the structure 4. Remove window obstructions (i.e. burglar bars) 5. Force doors to improve egress 6. Break windows and remove sash in effect fire areas if not already completed 7. Light up all sides of the structure as well as egress/ingress points 8. Mark identified danger areas with red banner tape  Even during exterior firefighting, R.I.T. needs to be aware of crews in potential collapse zones SUBJECT: EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/03/1999 S.O.P. 609 Rapid Intervention Teams REVISION DATE: 08/28/2017 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 4 OF 4 Operations Suppression 609.8 Deployment A. The Incident Commander or the R.I.T. Company Officer can deploy the Rapid Intervention Team. In either case, the IC must be notified, and the IC must acknowledge it prior to the team making entry. B. If a unit does not answer the radio after 3 attempts, an announcement should be made asking all units on the scene if they have knowledge of the missing person and/or unit’s location. The IC may make a similar announcement on any other channels being used at the incident. If no response, activate the R.I.T. and call a MAYDAY for the missing member(s). C. The Incident Commander will deploy the Rapid Intervention Team if a member does not answer the radio after three calls and no one accounts for them. D. When R.I.T. is deployed, the Incident Commander will immediately replace them and request an additional alarm for the rescue. E. All R.I.T. deployments will deploy a search rope when entering all occupancies. F. Incident Commander Activation checklist will be utilized when R.I.T. is deployed. 609.9 Training A. All training of CFR members will be in accordance with NFPA 1407 (Standard for Training Fire Service Rapid Intervention Crews 2010 Edition). B. Details of training curriculum will be found in Rapid Intervention Team Training Modules I, II, and III.