PURPOSE: To provide structure to and establish a standard operating procedure for the creation of a R

ROCKY HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE

RAPID INTERVENTION TEAMS

PURPOSE: To provide structure to and establish a standard operating procedure for the creation of a R.I.T. [Rapid Intervention Team]. This procedure defines and establishes the requirements for activations of the RIT.

SCOPE: This SOP applies to all department personnel.

The IC can use the R.I.T. in the following manner:

· The R.I.T. can serve as rapid intervention for the incident.

· The R.I.T. can supplement the existing R.I.T. crew.

PROCEDURE:

Activation—The incident commander will activate the RIT during all calls including the following:

Working Structure Fires
Technical Rescue Evolutions
Hazardous Material Incidents

Incidents where there is a potential for conditions to become IDLH.
As determined

Team composition— The team will consist of a minimum of 4 firefighters [FF-1] and 1 line officer.

The RIT will receive the assignment from the incident staging officer who will retain their accountability tags.

Equipment—Upon activation of the RIT, the designated apparatus will be repositioned to the RIT staging area and used exclusively for this purpose.

The RIT OIC will acquire, place on a 12 x 14 tarp, the following equipment and ready it for use:

A set of irons Kelly tool Rabbit Tool

6’ Pike Pole Sledge Hammer Bolt Cutters

Wire cutters Stokes basket Rescue rope & Tag lines

2 SCBA T. I. Camera Assorted hand tools

Flashlights & Radios [1 per member] Battery operated saws

Rescue Saws Chain Saws other pertinent equipment.

Duties—The OIC will conduct an independent scene size-up concentrating on potential hazard areas and access/egress routes.

A manned 1 ¾ handline of appropriate length will be will be placed in proximity of an entrance as determined by the RIT OIC.

Based upon the size-up the OIC may request egress ladders be placed in areas as determined

Based upon the results of P.A.R. checks, the OIC will maintain an accurate tactical worksheet of the position of all working companies. It may be necessary to conduct a recon to maintain constant awareness.

All RIT members shall maintain constant state of readiness at all times including wearing all appropriate PPE.

When all preparations have been completed the RIT officer will report their readiness to the Incident Commander.

The RIT shall then monitor the radio transmissions for developing situations which may require their action.

Maydays—Maydays should be called and the RIT utilized for the following:

To locate and remove injured firefighters
To locate and remove lost firefighters. [Based upon P.A.R. check or upon request]
Firefighter entrapment.
During an unexpected catastrophic event.

Upon receipt of a mayday all officers and crew leaders will take a headcount and communicate the results to the Incident Commander. All unassigned personnel will then proceed to manpower staging area for further assignment.

The RIT will be given all pertinent information related to the Mayday and if possible entry into the structure will be through the same door as used by the injured/missing firefighter.

The OIC and 1 member will proceed into the structure equipped with a thermal imaging camera and a set of irons. A rope tag line will be secured in proximity of the RIT entrance and extended to the downed firefighter; this will serve as a guide to the scene.

The OIC will relay situational needs to the remaining RIT members who will follow the rope line with the additional equipment.

The Incident Commander will then detail assignments to support the RIT including the creation of an additional RIT and a hand line of equal or greater size.

The RIT will be assigned and given exclusive use of a radio channel, this channel will be used for no other purpose.

An EMS unit will be assigned to the RIT and will also use the above mentioned radio channel.

Date: 08-06

Proponent: RHFD Staff

Replaces: New