Filed under: RIT
To bail or not to bail…that is the question…Actually the question is do you TRAIN on this procedure?…It’s dangerous but…check out this video on the head first, it’s pretty intense,let’s not forget to ALWAYS ladder the building while our crews are working on the 2nd floor(D/E’s). Moreover how about laddering at a lesser angle for this very reason?
Filed under: RIT
Rapid intervention staging…are you ready?!
A rapid intervention team is often overlooked or the task not taken seriously in the fire service as a whole. This task should be one that is assigned from initial dispatch and if allowable the crew assigned should not be utilized for other time consuming assignments unless another on scene team re-assigned to rapid intervention. The problem with utilizing the team and reassigning another crew is that the first team should have a full compliment of specialized tools and equipment to perform a rescue of a downed firefighter, and with mutual aid bringing different crews with different equipment, familiarization becomes an issue.
So with that being said of our mutual aid status…
…your pre-action plan and size up should begin with initial dispatch information. Valuable information gained from dispatch information can be, location of the structure fire (generalized building construction can be gathered from this); callers initial reports i.e. heavy smoke and flames? Or multiple calls? Is this an apartment or commercial occupancy? Also pay particular attention to the first due engine companies size-up and 2nd and 3rd due assignments. These assignments can give you a generalized area of the building in which active firefighting is taking place and the locations of interior crews.
The rapid intervention teams officer should approach the command post to elaborate there state of readiness and to reconfirm the interior crew’s location in the fire building. Once the incident commander is informed of the team’s location in ready mode, the RI officer should perform a 360 of the fire building paying attention to all windows and doors, fences that may inhibit rescue, and other hazards around the structure. Once all this information is gained it is imperative that this information be relayed to the RI team and any pertinent information passed on to the incident commander.
Other team members should set up a staging area located far enough away from command to not be a hindrance…
… but close enough for verbal communication if possible. Tools to be considered should be a set of irons, thermal imaging camera, flashlights, a chainsaw or K-12, rope bags, radios, and possibly a ladder if crews are operating at a multi story residence. One item that is often overlooked is the variety of air packs that our area fire service uses. If you are called to rescue a downed firefighter from a surrounding department, do you know what air pack they use? Are you familiar with how to operate their packs? Approach the engineer and ask for a couple of their spare packs to learn its operation and have them staged just in case just getting them air can save their life. Also ensure the readiness of any powered equipment by starting them and letting them run briefly, and making sure they have sufficient fuel if you haven’t already done so that shift. Turn on the thermal imager and make sure its batteries are full as is the operation of your personal flashlight. Also carry extra radio batteries in your gear because we all know after one minute your primary battery is going to bite the dust. Let’s not forget the weather and its effects. During the summer months be thinking of setting up in shaded areas and taking a knee to conserve your energy.
All crew members on a RI team should have a portable radio and listen to all interior communications and try to monitor interior crew’s position in the building and constantly evaluate the fire condition on the exterior of the building as an additional set of eyes.
Now arises the controversial question of what other duties can the team be allowed to do?
My personal opinion as long as the RI team can at any given time stop the assignment they have been tasked without adverse effects to the outcome of the fire and go straight to work then minimal outside duties can be accomplished like throwing ladders, setting up exterior lighting, and other simple tasks.
So the Rapid intervention team seems to be a monotonous job…
…but if you take saving the life of a brother or sister seriously then you can readjust your attitude to be able to perform this task proficiently and effectively. Knowing the importance of readiness and how it can (& probably will) pay off someday can also make the job interesting and a challenge.
Check out this link of how Wilmington Del. FF’s were saved by some of their own.
By: MAF contributor FWBFD Captain Danny Fureigh
Danny is a Capt. With the FWBFD and has been in the fire service for 14 years follow the link on FWBFD site to see his bio.
