One of those functions that truck crews don’t actually perform a whole lot but that is frequently assigned to us is rapid intervention. Despite it often being considered the assignment that nobody wants, rapid intervention may be the most important job on the fireground.
Here in Indianapolis, we’re fortunate enough to have multiple rapid intervention teams (RITs) on the fireground at an early stage. Our initial dispatch to a reported fire receives an engine company assigned as the RIT. When the incident is upgraded to a working fire, or is anticipated to be working based on multiple calls, an additional unit–a truck company–is dispatched as the second RIT.
Our RIT system was built to ensure that there’s a RIT standing by and ready to deploy to a firefighter who’s in trouble. The benefit of having multiple teams: The second RIT can actually perform some proactive fireground tasks, such as placing additional ground ladders or forcing additional entrances. Such tasks would take a single RIT away from its primary function of remaining ready to deploy. If command decides to utilize one of the RITs, then an additional RIT is backfilled. The fireground is dynamic, and there may be times when teams are in transition from RIT to working, leaving us with one RIT standing by. Fortunately, the chiefs are pretty good about keeping this vital resource in place on the fireground.
RIT Equipment
All truck companies in the department carry a basic complement of RIT equipment: a set of irons, a 200′ RIT tagline, a thermal imaging camera (TIC), a Scott Pak-Tracker firefighter locator and a RIT air supply. The same complement of equipment is carried in every chief’s vehicle, as well in the safety chiefs’ vehicles. This ensures that there is adequate RIT equipment on scene for the first-arriving RIT companies, which are usually engine companies. When the RIT arrives, they pick up their equipment from the chief’s vehicle and then stand by at the best entry location as determined by their size-up.
RIT equipment is another one of those topics that generates a lot of discussion. Beyond our basic RIT equipment complement, the second RIT truck has an entire set of truck company equipment at its disposal, if needed. Additional equipment is requested through command, if needed.
Positions & Assignments
All department members have been trained in rapid intervention techniques, which include team member positions, tools and assignments. The training involves techniques related to searching for, packaging and removing a distressed firefighter (worst-case scenario being an unconscious and entangled firefighter). Ideally, our RITs are staffed with four members, but there are times when there may only be three.
Our RIT positions:
- The RIT Officer
- The Navigation/Air Supply Firefighter
- One or Two Search Firefighters
The RIT Officer
RIT leadership prior to and during an actual incident is critical to the success of the RIT. The RIT officer should take a proactive role at the start of the shift by making individual assignments in the event the company is dispatched as the RIT. These assignments should identify which member is performing which function and what tools and tasks the members are responsible for.
When preparing the fireground and performing proactive tasks, the RIT officer must ensure that RIT members are performing all of the needed tasks, that a team is ready to deploy immediately and that command is kept informed of the current status and work that’s going on. Knowledge of current fireground conditions and anticipation of future conditions are essential parts of their duties.
If the RIT is deployed to locate and assist a firefighter, the RIT officer must coordinate and direct the interior actions of the RIT. Before entering, the officer must ensure that all equipment is assembled, the RIT tagline is secured to the outside and all members are clear on their initial assignments.
The RIT officer uses the TIC to assist with navigation, movement and possible location of the firefighter. Remember: The TIC may increase speed and efficiency during the operation, but it should never be relied on 100%. You’ll still need all of your fireground senses to search for and locate a firefighter, as well as keep track of your location in the structure.
In addition, the officer must ensure that the navigation/air supply firefighter has secured the tagline to the outside and is ready to deploy it during the operation. The tagline is critical for two reasons: 1) It provides a direct exit out of the structure and 2) it provides additional RITs with a direct avenue to the RIT/victim. Because it’s unlikely that one team will be able to accomplish the entire process of locating and removing the firefighter, the tagline is vital to the success of the overall operation.
The RIT officer must coordinate and direct the actual search for the missing firefighter, conducted by the RIT members assigned to the search position. Ideally, two search firefighters perform the actual search (as part of a four-person team). The RIT officer should direct these firefighters based on information gathered from the TIC, the surroundings, any radio reports and prior fireground experience.
When the victim is found, the RIT officer must take control of the tagline from the navigation/air supply firefighter and securely tie it off near the victim’s location (but never to the actual victim). At this point, the RIT officer maintains contact with the tagline and guides the other members out during the removal.
The RIT officer is also responsible for communicating information to command or the RIT sector during the deployment. Where is the RIT? What are the conditions? What problems are being encountered? What additional resources are needed? What is the team’s air supply status? All of this information, and more, must be communicated while the interior operation is being conducted.
The RIT officer should be the most experienced member of the team. Many critical tasks must be performed, simultaneously, for an operation’s success. Missing any one of the tasks may cause the operation to fail.
The Navigation/Air Supply Firefighter
The second RIT position involves navigation and air supply. This member brings the RIT pack and the RIT tagline. The tagline is secured to a point outside the entry location and then deployed and managed during the operation. The rope is the exit, and the firefighter tries to keep the shortest, straightest route from the outside to the RIT location during the deployment.
Once the downed firefighter is located, the RIT officer takes control of the tagline from the navigation/air supply firefighter, who moves up and secures the air supply to the downed firefighter. We have three options available for securing the air from our RIT packs: 1) the universal air connection (UAC), 2) swapping the regulator or 3) replacing the entire SCBA facepiece. The air supply choice is left up to the navigation/air firefighter, who lets the officer know when it’s been completed. Depending on the level of difficulty, additional help may be needed and supplied by one of the search firefighters. Securing the air supply isn’t a complicated skill but, depending on the air supply of the distressed firefighter, it may be vital to the success of the operation.
If the first RIT cannot locate the firefighter, the RIT officer and navigation/air supply firefighter secure the tagline together at the current location before exiting. Ideally, a second or additional RIT will arrive before the first team leaves. This requires proactive actions on the part of the RIT officer and command and/or the rescue sector.
Although the emergency air supply is intended for the downed firefighter, it may also be used by the RIT. If RIT members run low on air or get into trouble, the emergency air supply can be used when exiting the building. For this reason, each incoming RIT should bring their own emergency air supply. If it’s not used during the rescue, bring it out for the same reason.
One or Two Search Firefighters
The most important part of the RIT deployment is finding the firefighter. All too often, RIT members are so overloaded with tools and assignments before entry that the actual search effort is all but forgotten.
A four-person RIT allows for two members to be assigned to search. These members should carry a Halligan and a flat-head axe for possible forcible entry or exit.
They follow the RIT officer’s direction and aggressively search for the missing firefighter(s), using any and all means. RIT members should always stay in voice contact with each other. Aggressive searching requires awareness of your location; that’s why voice contact and the RIT tagline are such important parts of the operation. Any breakdown in discipline during this stage of the operation will only prolong the search and potentially cause the mission to fail.
Once the firefighter is found, the search firefighters perform two distinct functions. The first firefighter to reach the victim informs the other team members that they found the victim and then converts the firefighter’s SCBA waist strap to an improvised harness by securing it between the firefighter’s legs. This allows the SCBA to be used as a device to help drag the firefighter. The second search firefighter performs a quick sweep of the immediate area to search for a secondary exit. If no exit is found, they report back to the officer and assist as directed.
Packaging & Removal
When it’s time to remove the victim, the search firefighters and the navigation/air firefighter work together to perform the actual removal, while the RIT officer coordinates the operation. This is where the RIT officer really has to manage the crew! The ideal scenario would have two of the members moving the firefighter, and the third leading the way. During the removal, the members moving the firefighter and the one leading would rotate positions (which would be directed by the RIT officer) before any one member worked beyond their ability to be effective. Remember, when the crew finally starts moving the firefighter to the exit, they will have immense tunnel-vision, and will want to work until they drop, which is why the role of the RIT officer is critical.
Our Typical RIT Response
When my company is dispatched as a RIT, we’re usually the second RIT (working RIT). During the response, we’ll confirm the assignments: the tractor driver grabs the RIT tagline, Pak-Tracker and air supply after he gets suited up. The back step and the tiller operator both grab their hand tools and a 24′ extension ladder. The officer brings the TIC and makes their way to the structure for a quick size-up. When the members arrive with the ladders, they are placed, usually on opposite sides of the structure, and by that time, the team reassembles near the front of the structure. If the original RIT is still in place, then we’ll continue with proactive operations, trying to eliminate any additional hazards on the fireground. If more ladders need to be thrown, we’ll work on that.
If at any point, the original RIT is moved up to go to work, then we’ll finish and take the stand-by position. Every now and then, we’ll get moved up when we arrive and we’ll simply make sure that the chief knows that we were assigned RIT and let them confirm our move-up.
Most of the time we’ll arrive and get disregarded or get a few ladders thrown and then get told to pick up and go home. Every now and then, though, we get moved up and put to work. But one thing is certain: We are always ready to go to work as the RIT if needed!
