Rapid Intervention Team

Standard Operating Guideline

RIT DEPLOYMENT AND

OPERATIONS

PURPOSE: This procedure will provide for the effective deployment of Rapid Intervention Teams for the Department, and define the roles and responsibilities for members operating as a Rapid Intervention Team.

PROCEDURE:

  1. Deployment
  1. First due Fire Companies shall establish a “Two in/Two out” per Procedure 1102.0 prior to commencing operations in an IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) atmosphere.
  2. Additional trained RIT members will be tone alerted at the receipt of a structure fire to respond to the scene. At least four trained members will be needed to provide a functional RIT.
  1. RIT roles and responsibilities
  1. The officer or senior member of the RIT shall be responsible for the following.
  1. Establish face to face contact with Incident Command for information concerning status of incident.
  2. Tracking location of all interior crews.
  3. Gain approximate time that crews went on air.
  4. Developing a search and rescue plan.
  5. Assignments for remainder of the RIT.
  6. Complete RIT checklist. (attached)
  1. Remaining members of the RIT may be responsible for the following fire ground functions. RIT members must always be immediately available for Firefighter rescue.
  1. Water supply.
  2. Horizontal ventilation.
  3. Raising ladders for secondary means of egress, and communicate locations to Command.
  4. Forcing alternate entry points.
  5. Staging tools for RIT.
  1. The RIT officer or senior member must develop and communicate a search plan to Command.
  1. Consider trapped members points of entry. Also alternate points of entry.
  2. Attempt to learn trapped members last known location.
  3. Plan for hose line stretches.
  4. Assign tasks/tools to RIT members
  5. Report to Command.
  1. The RIT officer or senior member must develop and communicate a rescue plan to Command.
  1. Anticipate need for additional resources for a possible relay rescue.
  2. Consider alternate points of entry and egress.
  3. Consider rescue environment (heat, obstructions, collapse, visibility).
  4. Monitor RIT air supply.
  5. Consider the need for specialized equipment.
  6. Communicate status reports to Command.
  1. RIT functions.
  1. Monitor fire ground radio traffic.
  2. Set up RIT tool drop.
  3. Recon the exterior of the building.
  4. Raise ladders to roof and windows for secondary means of egress.
  5. Forcible entry.
  6. Illuminate entries and exits.
  7. Coordinate horizontal ventilation with attack crews.
  8. Secure utilities.
  9. Rescue trapped or disoriented Firefighters.
  10. Personnel tracking.
  11. Assist in stabilizing rapidly changing conditions.
  1. RIT mobilization and entry.
  1. The RIT shall be activated by Command or an Incident Safety Officer.
  2. Execute the search plan.
  3. Locate trapped Firefighter.
  4. Assess Firefighter and environment.
  5. Transfill Firefighters air supply or establish viable emergency air supply.
  6. Package Firefighter for removal.
  7. Provide regular status reports to Command.
  1. Recommendations for command during RIT activation.
  1. Dispatch another station.
  2. Mutual aid
  3. Secure an ALS transport unit (not committed to the incident).
  4. Establish a RIT “Group”
  5. Consider needs for secondary RIT.
  6. CISD