National Fire Protection Association 1500, Standard on Fire Department Safety and Health Program, requires the presence of personnel for the rescue of members operating at emergency incidents. Since many career and volunteer fire departments commit their first-due (and sometimes only) truck and rescue companies to initial firefighting operations, this requirement often must be fulfilled by an engine company.
The use of an engine company as the rapid intervention team (RIT) must take several variables into consideration.
STAFFING
An understaffed engine company will only become a dangerously understaffed RIT. Although NFPA 1500 requires at least two members, a more favorable minimum should be four members. Five- or six-member RITs certainly would be ideal for the varied tasks the team may have to perform. It is quite possible that the RIT will be operating in a hostile and dangerous environment. To expect two or three members to search for, rescue, and remove a trapped or downed firefighter and use specialized equipment in doing so is asking too much of an understaffed RIT. Also, by understaffing a RIT, it is quite possible that the officer or team leader will have to be a “working” member. The RIT officer needs to constantly supervise the team and should not be distracted by additional tasks, which may compromise the team’s safety.
When the engine company has three or fewer members, the more favorable staffing level can be accomplished by teaming two understaffed engine companies. This combination of companies will also bring the added benefit of a second officer to assist in the supervisory needs of the RIT. Officers of the same rank will have to determine who will be in charge. Using the senior officer as team leader may be a solution to determining between the two.
Teaming two engine companies to achieve a better staffing level of a RIT must be addressed before the need arises. Dispatch assignments, SOPs, and mutual-aid agreements should make the process more standard and easier to accomplish.
COMPETENCY
Truck and rescue companies are highly trained in search, rescue, and removal. These personnel operate specialized tools and equipment. Engine companies are just as highly trained in stretching hose, securing a water supply, fire attack, and fire extinguishment. They are experts in the use of the tools of their company.
Most fire departments try to cross-train their personnel in all varied duties and tasks. The simple fact is that members assigned to a particular type of fire company (such as an engine) for any extended period will usually become more proficient in that company’s duties and tasks.
If engine company members are to become an efficient RIT, they need to become more skilled in the daily functions of truck and rescue companies. A good practice would have engine company personnel participate with the truck and rescue companies in some of their more specialized drills (e.g., search and rescue).
The skill and knowledge of truck and rescue company members need to be passed on to the engine company members before they are required to staff a RIT. Although there usually is a “friendly” rivalry between truck/rescue companies and engine companies, it would be quite satisfying to all involved if the properly trained engine company/RIT saves a truck/rescue company member some day!
AVAILABLE TOOLS
More and more engine companies are becoming squad- or rescue-capable these days, but the vast majority are equipped just for engine company operations. Their equipment consists mainly of hose, nozzles, some small tools, and so forth. Many of the engine companies in service today will not arrive on a scene with the proper tool assignment required for a RIT.
The engine company should be able to provide members in full personal protective equipment with SCBA, a radio, a personal hand light, a knife, wire cutters, and door chocks.
Other tools and equipment that may be found on an engine are flathead axes, halligan tools, short pike poles, extension ladders, spare SCBA and bottles, search rope, hose packs, and possibly EMS equipment.
Some tools probably not on many engines include power saws, thermal imaging cameras, rabbit tools, chain saws, sledgehammers, torches, air bag systems, hydraulic and air tool systems, cordless hand tools, and stokes stretchers.The absence of these tools on engine companies must be addressed before the RIT is to be staffed. A preset policy or SOP should stipulate how the engine company will obtain the needed equipment.
If the needed equipment cannot be placed on the engine company prior to response, these items will have to be obtained at the scene. One solution in this instance would be to obtain the equipment from other apparatus on the scene. The RIT should not take equipment the now-working truck or rescue companies may need later. Some duplication of tools carried on these units may need to be implemented if the RIT is going to acquire equipment in this manner.
When obtaining equipment from apparatus on the scene, all members should know what equipment is on which apparatus. Keep departmentwide lists and update them. Also, establish a policy or general procedure for obtaining equipment. Follow simple practices, such as notifying the chauffer when the RIT needs to obtain something from an apparatus.
DISPATCHING THE ENGINE COMPANY
When the engine company is dispatched as a RIT, it needs to take several points into consideration.
1. Where are we going? This may seem simple-address, cross streets, and so forth, but remember, you are responding to a now quite-congested scene. Apparatus are in place, hose has been laid on the street, and intersections may be blocked by the police department or otherwise be inaccessible. Determine where to park and leave the engine. This may or may not be decided by the incident commander (IC) as you approach. Wherever the apparatus is parked, the company members will have to take what they need and proceed to the RIT staging area. Some members may have to make a trip back to the engine to retrieve equipment that could not be carried initially. The distance to and from the parked engine can be an issue.
While responding, it would be beneficial for the RIT to find out where the command post is. Other general information, such as the building’s construction, fire conditions, companies working, and so on, should also be relayed. Dispatch should also inform the RIT if it will be teaming with another company.
AT THE SCENE
When the engine company arrives at the scene, the officer should confirm the member’s duties and tool assignments. This officer must report to the command post and receive whatever pertinent information the IC has for the RIT. The IC may now have the RIT stage near the command post or at another location if the building is remote or a high-rise.
At this time, the RIT members should be obtaining the required tools and equipment and placing them on a tarp at their staging area. Any items that could not be obtained must be reported to the RIT officer, who can relay the team’s needs to the IC.
Once the required tools and equipment are in place, the RIT should size up the building and the scene in general. Some points to consider are the locations of companies, the locations of hoselines and ladders, the entrances and exits, and any other conditions that can be observed.
It will also be beneficial if the RIT (or at least the officer) walks around the building and gets a 360º view for a more complete size-up.
While staged, the team must continuously monitor radio communications to keep aware of any changing conditions and the progress of the fire attack.
The RIT must continue its size-up throughout the operation. When in the standby mode, the RIT must be ready to react to the order for deployment. With its constant size-up, radio monitoring, and additional updated information, the RIT will not become complacent and will maintain an alert and ready status.
RIT DEPLOYED
When the RIT is called to go into action, its knowledge of search, rescue, and victim removal will certainly be tested. This engine company/RIT has planned, studied, and drilled for this very moment. As an engine company, it has experience in operating in heat, smoke, and fire environments. It is very possible that it will be seeking a downed firefighter trapped in such conditions or the surroundings may become hostile in a short time.
As the RIT makes its entrance and attempts to locate the missing or downed firefighter, it must stay aware of the environment. The team must start a thorough size-up of the interior. For self-preservation, the RIT should stay together and maintain communication.
When the RIT finds the missing or downed firefighter, it may be beneficial to have a hoseline stretched to this location. Even if the environment is not hostile at this time, conditions can change quickly. With the hoseline, the RIT and its operation are protected, and it may give the team extra time to free or package the rescued firefighter before removal.
On finding the missing or downed firefighter, the RIT must give this information and its location to the IC. The team must report the conditions and the need for any additional resources. The IC can now move medical units to the closest safe area to meet the RIT as it exits with the rescued firefighter.
Once the RIT turns the rescued firefighter over to EMS, the RIT officer should account for all team members and determine any needs they may have. The IC may now de-activate this RIT and transfer the members to rehab. When cleared from rehab, the team should perform its own company critique as soon as possible.
Rapid intervention teams are a fact of life (and a requirement) in today’s fire service. Using engine companies to staff this important function is a common practice in many fire departments. With proper staffing, sufficient training, and the availability of the necessary tools and equipment, an engine company can be an excellent choice for the RIT and perform its tasks in a more than adequate manner. ■
