Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Trainer on January 10, 2009 at 8:01am

Well I’m a little confused but looks like we can call this with 2 different meanings. 2 FF’s go in 2 come out is a no-brainer. 2 in and 2 ready, which is what some of us are calling 2 in 2 out, is a standard/requirement, my confusion was that I also though besides the 4 I needed 2 just for RIT and that’s what I practice, the people for RIT, that’s all they do. Now if I’m reading right 2 out can be RIT, makes sense and saves me 2 people for something else, at least early in an operation. If I have the manpower available I think I’ll still keep 2 fresh just for RIT. See contrary to some, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Permalink Reply by k hig on January 10, 2009 at 10:57am

Trainer has this one sorted, two diffrent meanings and his example fits the picture precisley.
As for things being a no-brainer or common sense my saying is " common sense is't so common" :) thats why i like when everyone is tought such training aids.

Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on January 10, 2009 at 11:57am

I agree...although technically we do not "HAVE" to breath either...But, as you mentioned it IS a good idea...If we get hauled into court;and it does happen; and we do not follow the National Standards then we have to answer to a jury why we didn't....and God forgive you if you follow even one standard and not all of them....it WILL be used against you....Stay safe and always remember to keep the Faith....Paul

Permalink Reply by Trainer on January 10, 2009 at 12:06pm

Reminds me of an old TV commercial; Paul is your statement funny? Maybe mildly amusing? Can I laugh? :)

Permalink Reply by Engine 32 Capt. on January 10, 2009 at 12:09pm

The 2-in 2-out rule simply means that if someone makes entry into an IDLH atmosphere, there will be at least two people in full gear and SCBA outside ready to make entry in the event something happens to the members inside. This is also known as Level 1 RIT. Level 2 RIT would consist of a RIT crew of at least 4 members outside, ready to activate if necessary.

Someone else posted (I think Reese) that they thought you need the same number of people outside as you have on the inside. This is also a misnomer. You do not have to have 'equal parts'. For example, you can have 20 members on the interior, but you still only have to have a minimum of 2 members outside.

Permalink Reply by lutan1 on January 10, 2009 at 2:05pm

Spot on!

Permalink Reply by Mark on January 10, 2009 at 2:08pm

i was taught 2 go inside and there must be 2 outside waiting like a fast team.

Permalink Reply by mcl_fireman 911 on January 10, 2009 at 2:11pm

2 in 2 out always, you never leave your brother or sister behind. Also this goes along with osha regulations.

Permalink Reply by Jonathan on January 10, 2009 at 2:28pm

I've always been taught that you go in, in teams of 2. There could be 3-teams of 2 (6 total inside) or 1-team of 2 (2 people inside). Each team of 2 sticks together, when its time for them to get out both leave at the same time. You always have a partner and you always enter and exit together.

Permalink Reply by Justin Westmoreland on January 10, 2009 at 2:46pm

What i was taugh is 2 in 2 out is to always be followed. with 1 exception, if we are first truck on scene and there is a viable pt inside then we pack up and go in. saying this of course there has to be a reasonable lack in fir spread. iv also heard that some dept will reasign a RIT team from say ventilation once ventilation is complete. But i am not the expert at this im just a peon, a fairly new peon for that matter.

Stay safe

Permalink Reply by Engine 32 Capt. on January 10, 2009 at 7:18pm

Justin;

You are correct. The only exception to the "2-in 2-out" rule is in the case of a rescue.

However, I disagree with RIT being assigned once another function is complete. If the ventilation team goes to the roof, and someone falls in, who's going to get them? RIT needs to be assigned asap, to insure all members operating on the scene have a chance of being rescued if need be.

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 12, 2009 at 3:45pm

According to the proposed new NFPA 1407 Standard on Training for Rapid Intervention Crews, there are two different levels of RIT.

IRIT (Initial Rapid Intervention Team) can consist of two or more firefighters with appropriate equipment and training.

As soon as possible, the IRIT should be upgraded to RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) that should have at least four firefighter staffing with appropriate equipment and training.

Studies done by Phoenix FD, Seattle FD, and others show that it takes 11 or 12 firefighters an average of about 20 minutes to actually find and rescue a lost or downed firefighter without entrapment!

Those RIT team responses typically involved an average of 5 additional firefighters getting in troube, additional MAYDAYS, and companies leaving their assignments with less than full SCBA cylinders to "help" with the original MAYDAY.

In other words, the difference between IRIT and RIT probably doesn't mean much to the initial Incident Commander, but it can help you if anything ever ends up in court.

Kudos to Phoenix, Seattle, and other departments who have done realistic research and who are not afraid to publish well-researched information that counters conventional wisdom!

Ben

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page