Rapid Intervention Teams
RITs should be assigned by the Incident Commander as soon as feasible following the entry of fire fighting personnel into the designated hazard zone.
RITs shall be composed of at least three firefighters.
RITs will be assigned a “call sign” by the Incident Commander. The officer of the RIT must assure that radio traffic is monitored and are aware of their “call sign.”
RITs will report directly to the incident commander.
RITs will be in full protective gear with SCBA’s at all times.
On all confirmed structure fires, one (1) additional engine company should be dispatched automatically to assure enough manpower is present on location to accomplish all critical fire ground activities and maintain at least one RIT.
If RITs are deployed to perform a lost firefighter search and rescue, Command should immediately form additional RITs to relieve deployed RITs or assist with the rescue portion of the operation.
Team Responsibilities
RITs should assemble as close to firefighting operations as possible yet not hamper or congest the operation.
RITs assemble equipment and tools that could be used in a rescue operation. Should an emergency arise, tools will be readily accessible.
Equipment and tools should be removed from apparatus and made readily available for use as soon as the designated team arrives on location. Tools should be taken from apparatus other than the primary or secondary attack apparatus when possible. Required equipment and tools RITs should have immediately available:
Search/Tag line
Thermal Imaging Camera
Gasoline powered chain saw/circular saw with metal blade
Axes – pick head/flat head
Halligan tool
1 SCBA with facemask
Portable lights
After setting up equipment and tools, the RITs should check all sides of the fire building looking for alternate escape routes, window and door layouts, and potential high-risk situations.
RITs will verify placement of ladders to the upper floors of at least two sides of the involved structure as a secondary means of escape. If ladders have not been placed the RITs will accomplish this task.
RITs will verify rear and or side doors are available (unlocked) and capable of being utilized as a secondary means of exit. RITs shall notify the Safety Officer and or incident commander prior to propping rear and or side doors open, as this could affect ventilation efforts and fire spread.
RITs will verify that the scene is adequately illuminated. Exterior lights should be located on opposite corners of the building at night illuminating all four sides of the structure. On large structures additional exterior lighting may be necessary. Lights should be placed inside, out of the way, at each primary and secondary doorway when cleaning up \. This task does not have to be performed by the RITs, this can be a task of other arriving driver/operators.
RITs will periodically (10 - 15 minutes) perform a 360 size up of the fire building, noting changes in fire conditions and structural integrity. Noted concerns should be reported to the scene safety officer and or the incident commander.
RIT members shall monitor primary fire ground radio traffic and stay in communication with the accountability officer(s) at all times.
If a MAYDAY is declared, the RITs will:
Immediately communicate with the accountability officer and determine the lost firefighter(s) last known location
Activate accountability system
Communicate with command and the scene safety officer prior to entering the structure
Enter the structure and begin their search in the lost firefighter(s) last known location
Locate the lost firefighter(s)
Immediately silence any alarming pass devices
Verify the lost firefighter(s) has/have an adequate air supply and establish an air supply using the spare SCBA/Rescue Pack if necessary. Both lost firefighter(s) and RIT members, must be closely monitored throughout the rescue operation
Notify command that the lost firefighter(s) has/have been located - This notification will include current Conditions in the area, Actions taken so far, and any additional Needs to free/extricate the lost personnel from the hazard area (CAN report)
Extricate the lost firefighter(s)
Demobilizing RITs
Command is the only individual that has the authority to demobilize RITs
Command should notify the scene safety officer prior to demobilizing RITs
RITs should only be demobilized when the structure is no longer considered immediately dangerous to life and health
Prior to demobilizing RITs, Command must ensure that all personnel are accounted for.
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