ORTING VALLEY RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM OPERATIONS

1. ORTING VALLEY RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM OPERATIONS

2. CLASS OBJECTIVES: At the completion of this class the student will: Be familiar with legislation/study behind the 2 in/2 out rule Be familiar with terms and definitions of R.I.T operations Understand the local R.I.T. Policy Understand the role/obligations of the R.I.T Be familiar with required equipment for a R.I.T.

3. Who made up this 2 in/2 out thing, anyway? 1971-OSHA adopted Respiratory Standard SCBA use required in IDLH atmosphere 2 firefighter team for interior structural firefighting 2 firefighters on standby outside structure First mention of �2 in/2 out�

4. More 2 in/2 out History January 1998 Standard 1910.134, includes 2 in/2 out provision, adopted Mandated to be implemented by 10/5/98 Applies to all private sector and federal firefighters OSHA plan states, or OSHA itself regulates state, county, or municipal firefighters Consensus between representatives from OSHA, IAFF, IAFC, NFPA

5. 2 IN/2 OUT MEANS: FIREFIGHTER SAFETY RAPID RESCUE OF TRAPPED/DISABLED FIREFIGHTERS DEDICATED R.I.T. PROPERLY EQUIPPED FOR HAZARDS

6. Definitions Rescue Mode: Control efforts taken by resources which are first to arrive at an incident requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of life or serious injury to citizenry or firefighters Positive Communication: Contact must be maintained by visual, verbal, physical, or electronic means

7. Definitions Rescue Mode Standby Firefighter: One firefighter in standby mode fully equipped with the appropriate protective clothing and equipment in order to provide rescue of firefighters

8. Definitions Rapid Intervention Team (RIT): A RIT shall be equipped with the appropriate protective clothing, protective equipment, SCBA, and specialized rescue equipment needed, based on the specifics of the operation underway On scene team of at least two members designated to effect an immediate rescue operation if the need arises

9. Definitions Standby Mode: Full personal protective clothing including SCBA with face-piece in standby mode

10. When is a RIT required? RIT must be present outside the hazard area prior to interior structural firefighting Interior structural firefighting is firefighting to control or extinguish a fire in an advanced stage of burning, with large amounts of smoke, heat, toxic products, is IDLH environment

11. When is a RIT not required? Incipient stage firefighting: beginning fire development, portable extinguisher, small hose line, PPE not needed Limited smoke and heat Activities such as: limited extinguishment, opening doors/windows, escorting occupants outside Initial Stage Operations

12. Initial Stage Operations Initial actions taken by IC, not initial phase of fire Actions taken to prevent or mitigate the loss of life or serious injury to citizenry and firefighters Only one team in hazardous area Additional resources can be reasonably expected

13. Initial Stage Op�s - con�t. Exceptional circumstances require immediate action ONE FIREFIGHTER MUST BE ASSIGNED TO STANDBY OUTSIDE HAZARDOUS AREA

14. Standby Firefighter Must remain aware of status of FF�s in hazardous area Must remain in positive communication with entry team, full PPE/SCBA in standby May perform other duties, provided communications are maintained, will not interfere with ability to perform rescue May be pump operator or IC

15. RIT Responsibilites Report to OP�s Chief for briefing Standby at selected location:point of entry, command post, floor below fire, etc. Assume a ready state: PPE, SCBA, tools Monitor tactical radio channel (or other channel if assigned) Ready to react immediately Request permission to recon bldg exterior

16. RIT Responsibilities-con�t. Conduct building size-up entrances/exits/windows stairs water supply fireground equipment (ladders, hoselines, saws) occupancy type/room layout fire progression structural integrity

17. RIT Tools Dedicated charged hose line Portable radios (including 1 for victim) Forcible entry tools-axe, pry bar Spare air cylinder or air pack Hand lanterns 150� Guide rope Tarp to place equipment on Specialized tools for given operation

18. RIT Tools-con�t. Spare SCBA cylinder or RIT bag Medium size SCBA facepiece Quick fill valve Green tarp-6� x 8� 8� lineman�s pliers Trauma shears Folding pruning saw TIC

19. RIT Tools-con�t Wedge set 4 cyalume light sticks 2 hose straps Small rescue axe ????? Think outside the box

20. Nature and Number of RIT�s At least 1 team outside prior to any team going inside IC needs to be flexible, based on type, size and complexity of incident Additional crews should be added as needed RIT�s staged at multiple entry points Special OP�s entry teams require Special Op�s RIT: skills and equipment

21. IC�s Obligation for RIT Activation Monitor tactical radio channel Assign someone to monitor additional channels Loss of radio contact with any member is considered an EMERGENCY Report of lost, trapped, injured, or unaccountable firefighter is considered an EMERGENCY

22. IC�s Obligations-con�t Immediate roll call must be done to verify missing member(s) RIT must be activated immediately if roll call indicates missing member(s),Transmit �Firefighter Down� message, emergency tones RIT will be sent to last reported working area of missing/trapped FF

23. IC�s Obligations-con�t. Emergency tones: Can be the Fire Comm alert to gain attention on tactical frequency Must be followed be IC�s new plan: Announce RIT activation Continue fire attack Abandon building, if appropriate

24. IC�s Obligations -con�t Adjust strategies to prioritize search and rescue for missing members Dedicate radio channel to rescue effort, assign Rescue Group Supervisor, Safety Officer Request additional alarms, if necessary Provide continuous fire attack Be prepared to �write off� other portions of building to protect firefighters

25. IC�s Obligations-con�t. If original RIT is activated, immediately assign a second RIT Ensure second RIT is equipped same as first BE FLEXIBLE-THINK AHEAD-GET MORE RESOURCES THAN YOU THINK YOU�LL NEED

26. Removing Personnel fromFire Building IC must evaluate risk, need for speed Abandon: to immediately exit the building or area due to safety concerns for emergency personnel, without regard to equipment or hose lines in place

27. Personnel Removal (con�t) Evacuate: to remove the occupants or residents of a building or area Withdraw: To exit the building or area with equipment and hoselines, due to a change in strategy (offensive to defensive)

28. Safety Officer Obligations Ensures function of PASSPORT system functions Monitor building for structural integrity Advise IC and Rescue Group Supervisor of safety concerns

29. Rescue Group Supervisor�s Obligations Evaluate risks/viability of rescue Develops plan Estimates air available to victims, ensures RIT delivers additional air Ensures PASSPORT works Requests aide to monitor talk groups

30. RIT Obligations after Activation Do Not Freelance! Search towards last reported working area of victims, following hose lines Look and listen for evidence of victims Search hallways, exterior walls Look for signs of collapse, holes, voids Report progress and search areas completed

31. RIT Obligations Advise Rescue Group leader of any problems, additional resources needed Evaluate risk to rescuers-is rescue possible, do you have a viable victim? Treat victims as rapid extrications-get out of IDLH! Take safest and quickest route to outside Be prepared to create your own exit

32. A.W.A.R.E. Acronym Air-provide additional air supply to victim. Water-create defensible perimeter with hose line. Buy yourself rescue time A Radio-provide a dedicated radio channel to victim Extricate victim

33. Entry team�s Obligations if they need to be rescued COMMUNICATE! Advise IC immediately: nature of problem, location, air remaining, injuries Activate PASS devices Control emotions, conserve air Attempt to reach window, exterior wall, or hallway

34. Denver Drill