U.S. Air Force fire protection specialists from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing perform a search in a smoke-filled room during a simulated rescue at the Federal Air Marshal Training Center shoot house. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht.)
By David L. Haines
In my previous article, I talked about the question “How RIT can you get?” I identified the importance of having a very good grasp of basic rapid intervention team (RIT) concepts and ensuring that we incorporate those into what we do at every level. This includes entry-level and sustainment training, and translating those trainings to what we do operationally on scene.
For this to happen, we must have in place a good training plan that will meet the needs of RIT and then carry that plan over effectively to the operations of our members. In working with entry-level firefighters at our academy, I devised a way to help accomplish this: a checklist for RIT that became the template for students to follow. This “RIT Order of Action” covers three key areas and is simple to understand and work into practice. The three areas it addresses are RIT on-scene operations, RIT air management for the down firefighter, and RIT packaging for the down firefighter.
RIT Order of Action for On-Scene Operations
As an RIT, this checklist helps ensure that nothing is overlooked. It includes 12 items, starting from response down to the removal of a down firefighter. It covers all the basic elements of RIT and what their roles and responsibilities on scene should be. The 12 steps are the following: Respond, Stage, Size-Up, Communicate, Monitor, Prepare, Support, Deploy, Locate, Assess, Package and Remove.
Respond. All departments must ensure that they have a mechanism in place that provides for RITs on scene as early into the incident as possible. And, as an incident commander (IC), you must ensure that this mechanism provides for the safety of your on-scene personnel, including the RIT. So, incorporate this mechanism into your standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standard practice; it should not be put in place as an afterthought. Whether you are an officer or a firefighter, you must understand the importance of your role and not respond with the mindset that you are “stuck on RIT.” If one of your fellow firefighters calls a Mayday, you are the answer to that call.
Stage. Once on scene or delegated to RIT on scene, ensure that you stage appropriately as the RIT. This means checking in with IC and staging in an appropriate location based on the incident, where you can effectively monitor operations and respond quickly, if needed. Sometimes, maintaining a static post near the IC is appropriate, while other times the RIT may need to be more dynamic or mobile. This also means being ready, having all the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, and equipment and maintaining yourself in a ready state the entire time you are RIT.
Size-Up. The RIT does its own size-up on scene and gathers the necessary information for its specific mission: The potential rescue of a firefighter in trouble. The RIT officer should do a 360, and RIT members should position themselves where they can observe and continue to gather information during the incident. Size-up is an on-going process; the RIT should identify the OSCAN (Occupancy, Size, Conditions, Actions, and Needs) of the incident, including the fire conditions, the BAG (where has it Been, where is it At, and where is it Going) of the fire, the building type, the location of the firefighters, the incident’s conditions and operations, and what crews need to do and where and how it would be done best.
Communicate. The RIT must identify the communications occurring on the fireground, monitor the operations, and make sure it has the necessary capabilities to communicate effectively if called to action. All RIT members should have radios, and they should be on the proper channel. The team leader’s radio should be on and the other radios (ideally) off, necessary only as spares. The RIT must also be familiar with which SOPs address for communications during Mayday and RIT operations. The usual practice here is for the Mayday firefighter, the RIT, and command to remain on the operating channel while all other units drop down to a separate channel. The RIT (with command) must address any needs or potential issues with communication from the start of the incident.
Monitor. The RIT should monitor every aspect of the incident and keep tabs on what is happening. This includes not only the direct observation but monitoring the radio traffic as well. This requires the RIT to be positioned at where it can best accomplish this. It must adjust its staging and position itself to be able to see what is going on and who is operating where on the fireground at all times. This starts with the size-up and continues throughout the incident. This is where the RIT needs to be dynamic rather than static.
Prepare. As things unfold, the RIT must put together the information it has gathered and formulate a plan for what it will do if called. Communicate the plan to all members of the RIT, and evolve as the incident evolves. As the ongoing size-up continues, update the plan to meet the current situation. The preparation also includes the personnel, equipment, and assignments of the RIT. The members of the RIT should know their assignment, what tools they are carrying and who is doing what once they deploy. Every member should be on the same page and there should be no confusion. The assignments will vary by the number of personnel on the RIT, and this will dictate what roles each person will perform.
Support. The RIT cannot commit to any other fireground task, but it can support other assignments and assist without detracting from their role as RIT. The RIT can help throw ladders, harden the exits, and ensure a kink-free fireground. Performing these roles will help the overall operations and place the RIT where it can observe, monitor situations, and prepare for its role. Any role with which the RIT is supporting or assisting should be something it can stop immediately and be the RIT, if needed.
Deploy. The goal of RIT is rapid deployment. This is something that won’t happen if it is not reinforced through training and familiarity. RIT personnel must be proficient, be adaptable, and fully understand the urgency of its actions. It must be intimately familiar with its assignments and equipment and be able to get into operation quickly. The RIT must use the information it has gathered to have a rough plan in place, which is based on it being called into action as the RIT. When deployed, the RIT should then be automatic, go to work, and follow the plan. Being able to deploy quickly—to the right location—to the quickest point of entry with all the right equipment will make all the difference.
Locate. Working off the plan it has in place, the size-up information it has been gathering, and what it knows from fireground communications will guide the RIT to the right area. In addition to the information it already has, the RIT must also use the acronym LUNAR (Location, Unit, Name, Air, Resources) or the Mayday call as well as the personal alert safety system device to hone in on the down firefighter. The quicker it can find and locate the down firefighter, the quicker it can remove him from the immediately dangerous to life and health environment (IDLH). The goal is for the RIT to locate and get hands on the down firefighter and communicate success as soon as possible.
Assess. Once found, do a rapid assessment of the down firefighter. The key word here is “rapid”; we are trying to do no further harm and assess our ability to remove him. What is down firefighter’s air situation? Is his self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) functional? Is this a trauma or medical situation? In addition, what are the conditions present? Can we safely remain for any length of time (as short as possible) or do we need to get out now?
Package. What will it take to get this down firefighter out? What can we do with the resources and personnel that we have, and what will be needed? What are the conditions dictating we do? Our goal here is the rapid removal of a firefighter from an IDLH while doing him no further harm. We must take whatever conditions we find on the down firefighter as the baseline, improve them if we can, while maintaining what we have. Our packaging plan must include the physical packaging and air management needs of the down firefighter together.
Remove. The RIT must quickly affect the removal of the down firefighter from the IDLH. Our goal is to put every other element together to get this done as quickly and effectively as possible. Whatever resources and personnel we need must support this effort and be obtained. Get the down firefighter out of the IDLH and transferred to emergency medical services.
RELATED: McClelland on the Fundamentals of RIT ‖ Terriaco on Basic RIT Tools on the Apparatus ‖ McCormack on RIT Positions and Assignments
Air Management of the Down Firefighter
This component of the RIT Order of Action specifically addresses the air management of the down firefighter. The emphasis here is speed—working from the least invasive method first and then moving to the more involved steps, if needed. The four-step plan covers the basics that must be done to meet this goal: assess, maintain, transfer, and remove.
Assess. As mentioned above, once found, do a rapid assessment of the down firefighter. This component specifically addresses assessment of the firefighter’s air. Is his SCBA functional? Is the face piece intact? How much air does he have, and what is the best means of air transfer for the situation we are in? Can we spend any time accomplishing this, or do we need to get out now?
Maintain. The RIT must maintain whatever it finds on the down firefighter and do no further harm. For air management, this means not exposing the down firefighter to the IDLH and providing air, improving on his current situation. We must also strive to maintain his health, especially when taking off the face piece seal during the removal process.
Transfer. In accomplishing the air transfer to the down firefighter, work from the least involved or invasive method on as needed. Make sure that you protect him from the IDLH, and only expose the firefighter to the environment as a “last resort.” Your first step should be a high-pressure transfer; this is the least invasive method and has a common connection for all SCBAs (UAC) regardless of manufacturer. The added benefit here is that once connected, the firefighter’s SCBA will be filled; you can then remove the connection during any drags or carries to get him out.
Your second choice is low pressure, using the eye bolt stainless-steel (EBSS) fittings (if they are so equipped) in the RIT bag to feed either the SCBA buddy breathing connection or the SCBA’s own EBSS fitting. This is not invasive and does not expose the firefighter. The disadvantage is that you must maintain this connection during removal for the firefighter to have air. Either of these methods—high- or low-pressure hose—are better choices as they don’t involve exposing the down firefighter to the IDLH.
The last-resort choices are either performing a regulator swap or a mask swap on the down firefighter. These may be necessary because of damage of the firefighter’s SCBA or mask, and either method will expose the firefighter to the environment. These methods carry the greatest risk to the down firefighter and require coordination by two people to be successfully performed. Training and familiarity are absolutely necessary to be able to do this in a RIT setting. Whatever method of transfer is used must take into account all factors, the available personnel, time and conditions that are present.
Remove. Whatever method of air transfer you use must take into account all factors: the available personnel as well as the time and conditions that are present. How quickly and effectively can you remove this down firefighter from the IDLH while maintaining air? The packaging efforts and removal must support the air management of the down firefighter.
Packaging of the Down Firefighter
This component of the RIT Order of Action specifically addresses the packaging of the down firefighter. The emphasis here is speed, working from the least involved method first and then moving to the more involved steps, if needed. This four-step plan covers the same basics as mentioned above: assess, maintain, package, and remove.
Assess. Once again, do a rapid assessment of the down firefighter. This component specifically addresses assessment of the firefighter’s condition and what would be needed for his removal. Is there a medical or trauma component to the rescue that you need to address where more packaging may be needed? What will it take to remove this firefighter from the IDLH, and can you accomplish it with what you have? Can you spend any time accomplishing this, or do you need to get out now?
Maintain. The RIT must maintain whatever they find on the down firefighter and do him no further harm. For packaging, this means not exposing the down firefighter to the IDLH, and accomplish what is necessary to safely and efficiently remove the firefighter. You must also strive to maintain the firefighter’s air, the especially face piece seal, during the removal process.
Package. For packaging the down firefighter, look at the conditions and time frame in which you are operating. Base your decision on this and act quickly to efficiently remove the firefighter. As it is with the air transfer process, start with the least involved method, and work from there. The distance from an exit, the entanglement, the fire condition, and building construction can affect this process.
If all that is required is a snatch-and-grab, then that should be your starting point, your “go-to” tactic every time. Chances are that this is all that you need and will safely accomplish what you are trying to do. Time is critical with a down firefighter; do not spend any more of it than is necessary in the IDLH. The RIT should position itself where it can initiate this method quickly, then adapt, if needed. The SCBA straps will be your primary means of dragging and are likely already in place. If the SCBA is removed or damaged, then the gear will be the main thing you will grab onto. If you can reach it, the firefighter’s drag rescue device (DRD) is a quick means of removal.
The next step to consider is the SCBA waist strap conversion through the legs. Some would suggest to initiate this drag as a first step, but only conditions will dictate this. If the RIT firefighters are trained in this technique and position themselves accordingly, the drag can happen quickly with minimal interruption as part of the assessment process. The benefits to doing this are that the down firefighter will stay in his SCBA better while being dragged and there will already be an improvised harness to work with for stairs or other vertical removal.
Another technique that some have used is running webbing with snap links between the firefighter’s legs and then connecting them to the SCBA’s D rings. The webbing is prerigged in a water knot (ring bend) with two snap links, creating an approximate eight- or 10-foot piece in a loop. This method is easier to perform while wearing fire gloves than if you are using the waist strap conversion, and it will accomplish the same thing. The added benefit is that the SCBA waist strap can be left in place and helps provide additional stability to the improvised harness you have just created.
As you progress through the steps to package the down firefighter, just remember the “time crunch.” Anything beyond the few things I have already discussed will add additional time to the rescue, but they may be necessary because of conditions. These may include using rope or webbing around the firefighter in addition to the straps on the SCBA or if you are using a sked stretcher, stokes basket, or Reeves sleeve to package the firefighter. Training, proficiency, and the ability to have this equipment in place quickly will be the deciding factor.
Finally, any removal that includes a vertical component will add time to this rescue. This will require some additional equipment as well as support from the outside. Place and secure ladders with personnel to assist the firefighter’s descent so that gravity doesn’t take over. This can be as simple as using the waist strap conversion or webbing.
Remove. The bottom line is this: How quickly and efficiently can you remove this down firefighter from the IDLH without causing further harm? What methods or techniques will work best to accomplish this based on the conditions that are present? Can you do this and maintain the firefighter’s condition, which includes maintaining the face piece, while you remove him? You have to balance the need for a quick removal with the conditions that are present and be able to come up with the right solution.
Training
The basic concepts of RIT should be ingrained in every firefighter at the earliest possible opportunity in his training along with the basics of firefighter safety and survival. Ideally, every firefighter on the fireground should have a good working knowledge of the basics of RIT and firefighter survival and rescue techniques. Along with this, he should also have a deep personal appreciation for the importance and need for RIT to exist on the fireground. This appreciation for the role of RIT should be a fundamental part of their training and be shown in their actions on the fireground. Personnel assigned to RIT need to be trained sufficiently for the role and be aware of its importance, ready to accept the awesome responsibility that comes with being the potential safety net for his fellow firefighters if they are in trouble.
Take strides to ensure that every member of the department is trained to a basic level with RIT techniques and equipment. Speed and proficiency should be the benchmarks for RIT training that translate well into efficient, proactive RIT operations on the fireground. The RIT Order of Action is a good template to accomplish this and can provide a simple plan to follow in training, which helps improve RIT on the fireground.
David L. Haines is a 23-year fire service veteran and an acting lieutenant with the Salisbury (MD) Fire Department (SFD), where he has served since 2003. He began his fire service career in 1993 as a volunteer with the Berlin (MD) Fire Company, where he rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant. He also served on several BFC committees before retiring in 2012. Haines teaches numerous classes and programs for the SFD Academy. Since 2005, he has taught fire and rescue classes as a field instructor with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, serving at the Lower Eastern Shore Regional Training Center.
