Outside Truck Operations

Rapid Intervention Operations

This is an overview of Rapid intervention Operations at every fire. This class does not teach skills but instead reviews what tasks a rapid intervention team or group should consider and how to prioritize those tasks. Further training in technique is needed in order to be proficient at these tasks.RIT vs RIGThe considerations discussed in this class are applicable regardless of the size or type of building.RIT and RIG are only different in the regards to the number of personnel to be managed.The considerations in this class should be made at every fire regardless of RIT or RIG.RIT vs RIGThe number of personnel needed for rapid intervention is based on the incident.It is the responsibility of the officer assigned this task to request additional resources or turn away resources based on their need.

Rapid Intervention StrategiesRapid Intervention StrategiesPreparePreventRescue

The priority of these strategies are based on the incident. They may be done simultaneously or the priority may change as the incident changes.Strategy Priority ExamplesFire Crews are still preparing Preparing can be the priority.Fire Crews are in hazard area prevention is done first or in conjunction with preparing.Mayday is called during set up Rescue moves ahead of preparing and prevention.

PreparationPreparing TasksSize UpSet upPlanCommunicateMonitoring the incident

Size Up IC BriefingTeam Leader/Group SupervisorType and use of bldg.Area of involvement & Fire conditions.Current location of crews & assignmentsSpecific hazardsElapsed time at incident

Size Up Walk aroundSearch team/RIT members Building dimensionsAreas of involvementLocation of crewsIrregularitiesPotential hazardsEntry points or external openingsLayout of interior hallways

Set up - EquipmentThermal imager

RIT Pack(s)

200 Kevlar search line

Forcible entryIrons or equivalent Per member:PPE & SCBA with 60 minute bottlesBox Light (or suitable light)

Set Up - Hose13/4 hose (dry)200 with a wye and appropriate nozzle

21/2 hose (dry)Enough to reach to the furthest point of the building (180 degrees)

21/2 (or larger) hose (charged)From pumping engine to RIT staging location

PlanAsk What can go wrong at THIS incident?How will we handle it if it does?Answer these questions based in the intel. you received from your size up.Make assignments who will do what if deployed.

CommunicateFire ground channel Suppression crews channel.

Rescue channel - RIs channelCommunication between RI members while monitoring the fire incident.Communication between RI members during a rescue.

Monitoring an IncidentListen to fire ground channel and monitor interior activities.Divide RI members to watch 4 sides of building.Communicate on Rescue Channel significant observations to other RI members:Crew movementsFire conditionsBuilding conditionsMonitoring an IncidentKnow what is going on.Look for changes.Communicate these changes.Change Rapid intervention plan accordingly.Communicate safety issues to safety officer/IC.

PreventionPrevention TasksLadderingForcible Entry (Softening the Structure)UtilitiesLadderingLadder Package a set of ladders placed on the building in order to: Create access for crews to upper floors or roofs.Perform rescues.Create egress for crews on upper stories or roofs.

LadderingEstablish a Ladder Package based on:Building constructionBuilding OccupancyFire LocationLocation of crewsStrategy of fireRescue situation

Laddering for Roof OperationsPrimary ladder - used by roof crew for normal access and egress of roof.Location: Uninvolved area of building. Crews should gain access to roof from the uninvolved part of building and travel towards the involved.

Laddering for Roof OperationsWorking Set - a single or set of ladders placed for emergency egress from the roof.Location: As close to where the roof crew is working as possible. Purpose: If roof weakens, crews should be able to travel 90 degrees from their work area to a secure wall and find their working set.Number of ladders in a working set: 1 ladder for 1-2 personnel, 2 ladders for 3-4.

Laddering for Roof OperationsSecondary ladder - Ladder placed opposite of where the roof crew is working for egress if they are cut off from primary ladder and working set.Location: Opposite side of peak on pitched roofs. Opposite corner of primary ladder on flat roof.

24Laddering for Upper Floor EgressFirst ladder: Fire roomSecond ladder: Rooms adjacent to fire room.Where will crews be in the most danger and need the quickest egress if things go wrong?

Laddering for Upper Floor EgressLocation of ladders: Under window sill for easy ladder bail under the heat.

26Laddering for Rescue OperationsConscious Victims:Communicate with victims.Extend ladder away from their reach and lower into building.Do not place ladder until rescuer is ready to climb instantly (Mask, gloves, helmet on ready to climb.)Communicate

28Laddering for Rescue OperationsUnconscious Victims:Ladder under window sill.Do not extend tip into window unless window is big enough that it will not impede getting on and off ladder.

Laddering for Rescue OperationsVent-Enter Search procedures:Break windowCheck floor for victims and stability.Check for flashover conditions (Bare hand check of smoke temperature)If a go, Enter roomLocate door and close it (Membrane protection from fire.)Search and locate victim.Ask for help if needed. (If not needed keep partner on ladder ready to receive)Remove victim.

Forcible EntrySoftening the Structure: 1. Creating egress points for interior crews.2. Creating egress points for victims 3. Creating access points for attack crews and Rapid Intervention.

Softening the StructureOpen exterior man doors

Softening the StructureRemove security bars

Softening the StructureOpening roll-up doors

Softening the StructureRemoving fences

Softening the StructureConsider placing lights or glow sticks inside egresses to help lost crew members locate them.

Softening the Structure vs. VentilationRemember, air currents, (higher pressure air moving to lower pressure) will spread fire and fresh air will intensify fire(Ventilation controlled).

DO NOT affect fire spread by creating openings!

Create egresses but keep the box closed as much as possible.

UtilitiesElectricalGasWater

GasNatural Gas metersTypically on building.Propane tanksMay be against or away from building.

Notify gas companies prior to leaving scene and do not restore gas yourself.

ElectricLook for outside shut offs.Look for panels in garages or utility rooms.Interior shut offs can be accessed by inside truck operation crews during searches.

Do not pull electric meters!Why?SafetyPUD RequestWAC

PreventionWays out.

PreventionWays off.

Prevention

Open the building.PreventionMake it safe.

Prioritizing Prevention TasksPrioritizing TasksIt is up to the team leader to prioritize the tasks associated with Rapid interventionThese priorities must be made based on:The fire conditions.The Fire ground strategy.Location of the FireLocation of fire crewsPrioritizingExample 1:Size-Up: 2 story wood frame house. Fire on second floor. Strategy: Offensive attack with Vertical ventilation.Crew locations: E61 Interior attack 2nd floor. A62 vertical ventilation on roof. E64 Primary search.

You are assigned RIT.How do you prioritize your tasks?

PrioritizingExample 1Priority 1: Ladders to second floor for interior crews egress.Priority 2: Working set to roof crew.Priority 3: Secondary ladder to roof crew.Priority 4: UtilitiesPriority 5: Forcible entry 1st floor.PrioritizingExample 2:Size-up: Working fire in 2 story, wood frame house. Fire on first floor.Strategy: Offensive attack with PPV ventilation.Assignments: E61 Interior attack 1st floor and PPV. A62 Primary search, inside fire extension.

You are assigned RIT.How do you prioritize your tasks?

PrioritizingExample 2Priority 1: Forcible entry 1st floorPriority 2: UtilitiesPriority 3: Ladders to second floor (Inside truck crew will be doing primary search and checking for extension 2nd floor).PrioritizingExample 3:Size-up: 2 story apartment building. Known victims trapped second floor. Multiple victims at windows second floor. Fire on first floor.Strategy: RescueAssignments: E61 Interior attack 1st floor. E64 & E63: Search and rescue 2nd floor. A62: exterior rescue:You are assigned RIG.How do you prioritize your tasks?

PrioritizingExample 3Priority 1: Ladders to second floor for rescue. Triage victims for most threatened.Priority 2: Ladders to second floor for crew egress (Most likely one in the same)Priority 3: Forcible entry 1st floor for interior attack crew.Priority 4: UtilitiesRescueRescue TasksAccessWaterAirRadio (Communicate a plan)ExtricateAccess - entryThe best access is not always the way they went in!Last known location:LUNAR ReportYour size upYour on-going monitoring of the incidentInterior suppression crew reports

Access - entryTeam Leader/Group Supervisor Determine best access and direct teams there.Team members Gather pre-assigned equipment and quickly move to access point.Verify rescue plan and send searchers to begin search.Hose team deploys hose if needed and backs up searchers.

Access - SearchingMove quickly but be thuroughListen PASS Devices, Low Air alarms, yelling, SCBA Breathing.Use TIC to search, stay oriented, watch conditions.Use available clues hose lines, indications of searched areas, tools.Stay oriented oriented man, search rope.

Victim Found Water/AirProtect from active fire.Victim assessment ABCD:Airway Mask on and intact. Regulator plugged in.Breathing Do they need air.Circulation Other injuries presentDisability Can they walk out or do they need to be extricated.

Victim Found - CommunicateOnce victim is protected in place create a plan.Communicate this plan to:Other team/group membersGroup supervisorICGet required equipment and help coming.

ExtricateProtect in place first.Have a plan, and a Plan B, and a Plan C.Have equipment and help coming even if you think you dont need it.Do not expect to use the same personnel who searched they will be spent.Air management.

What does it take to be on RIT/RIG?Basic skills crews must be proficient at to be part of a rapid Intervention Crew.Size up skills and knowledge:Building constructionReading SmokeFire BehaviorStrategy and tactics knowledgeTerminologyBasic skills crews must be proficient at to be part of a rapid Intervention Crew.Laddering:One person throws on 24 and shorter ladders.2 person throws on 35 ladders.Ladder placementTying off ladders

Basic skills crews must be proficient at to be part of a rapid Intervention Crew.Forcible entry:Irons work on inward and outward swinging doors.Through the lock operationsPad lock removalCircular saw workSecurity barsLocksIron fencesRoll up doors

Basic skills crews must be proficient at to perform outside truck operations.Utilities:Locating and shutting of various utilities

Basic skills crews must be proficient at to be part of a rapid Intervention Crew.Basic Search techniquesOriented searchLarge area searchTIC OperationsRIT Pack Operations (In all conditions)2 hose deploymentInterior hose advancementVictim Drags

ConclusionGood rapid intervention operations on every fire will ensure we safely and effectively complete our mission.