The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Tools of the RIT Trade
Firefighter Nation users now have access to special Web-only articles and extras through FireRescue magazine's blog. Check back periodically for more great tips and tactics!
QUICK DRILLS
Is your crew familiar with what tools & equipment rapid intervention requires?
Story & Photos by Homer Robertson
We’re only about a month or so away from having some nice weather that will support outdoor drills. But until then, this month’s drill is great for those cold and rainy days.
Rapid intervention team (RIT) training has made some huge strides in the last decade. Most firefighters love the hands-on aspect of RIT training because it’s action-oriented and based on real-life situations. Each drill is related to a skill that could make a life-or-death difference.
But just as important as training on how to find and rescue a downed firefighter is training on the front end of rapid intervention: size-up and equipment staging.
Standing By or Sizing Up?
Many fire companies don’t look forward to the RIT assignment because they feel like they’re not actively engaged in the fire suppression operation. As trainers, we must show that the RIT role is just as important as performing a search or going to the roof.
If your fire crews assigned the RIT responsibility are just showing up with their PPE, an axe and a pike pole, and then standing by the command post waiting on something to happen, it’s time to rethink your RIT training.
Our drills this month focus on tool staging and equipment familiarization, but we can’t get there without talking about the importance of size-up. A 360-degree RIT size-up will have a big impact on the types of tools prepositioned in the staging area.
Example: If during your size-up of a residential home you detect a set of burglar-barred windows and doors in the rear, you may need to preposition a rotary saw with a metal blade or other tool to defeat metal bars. If you find this type of fortification in one place, expect to find it somewhere else. Tip: Barred windows or doors should be removed or opened to prepare the building before a mayday event.
Proper Tools
Every department will deploy different RIT tools based on what they have in their tool cache. However, some basic tools and equipment that will need to be deployed at almost every structure fire include thermal imagers and breaking and prying tools like mauls and Halligans.
Whether you’re in a busy department that makes lots of fires each year or a slower department, you’ll likely only get a few chances each year to fill the RIT assignment. It’s hard to get good at something you only perform a few times a year.
Here’s a great idea from Chief Rick Lasky of the Lewisville (Texas) Fire Department: To help remember all the tools and equipment, use a tarp as a checklist.
Purchase a vinyl tarp that’s a different color than your salvage covers. Review your tool needs and cut stencils with the names of each tool. Stencil them on the tarp as a quick and easy checklist. Make a residential fire checklist on one side of the tarp and a commercial fire checklist on the other side.
During incidents, stage RIT equipment on the tarp in close proximity to the incident hot zone. The equipment on the RIT tarp should be off-limits to suppression crews operating at the incident.
Preparation Is Key
Preparing for a RIT operation should be performed with just as much care and consideration as advancing a handline to the seat of the fire. Take time to review and practice the steps needed to effectively develop a RIT tool staging area to support fireground operations.
QUICK DRILLS
Is your crew familiar with what tools & equipment rapid intervention requires?
Story & Photos by Homer Robertson
We’re only about a month or so away from having some nice weather that will support outdoor drills. But until then, this month’s drill is great for those cold and rainy days.
Rapid intervention team (RIT) training has made some huge strides in the last decade. Most firefighters love the hands-on aspect of RIT training because it’s action-oriented and based on real-life situations. Each drill is related to a skill that could make a life-or-death difference.
But just as important as training on how to find and rescue a downed firefighter is training on the front end of rapid intervention: size-up and equipment staging.
Standing By or Sizing Up?
Many fire companies don’t look forward to the RIT assignment because they feel like they’re not actively engaged in the fire suppression operation. As trainers, we must show that the RIT role is just as important as performing a search or going to the roof.
If your fire crews assigned the RIT responsibility are just showing up with their PPE, an axe and a pike pole, and then standing by the command post waiting on something to happen, it’s time to rethink your RIT training.
Our drills this month focus on tool staging and equipment familiarization, but we can’t get there without talking about the importance of size-up. A 360-degree RIT size-up will have a big impact on the types of tools prepositioned in the staging area.
Example: If during your size-up of a residential home you detect a set of burglar-barred windows and doors in the rear, you may need to preposition a rotary saw with a metal blade or other tool to defeat metal bars. If you find this type of fortification in one place, expect to find it somewhere else. Tip: Barred windows or doors should be removed or opened to prepare the building before a mayday event.
Proper Tools
Every department will deploy different RIT tools based on what they have in their tool cache. However, some basic tools and equipment that will need to be deployed at almost every structure fire include thermal imagers and breaking and prying tools like mauls and Halligans.
Whether you’re in a busy department that makes lots of fires each year or a slower department, you’ll likely only get a few chances each year to fill the RIT assignment. It’s hard to get good at something you only perform a few times a year.
Here’s a great idea from Chief Rick Lasky of the Lewisville (Texas) Fire Department: To help remember all the tools and equipment, use a tarp as a checklist.
Purchase a vinyl tarp that’s a different color than your salvage covers. Review your tool needs and cut stencils with the names of each tool. Stencil them on the tarp as a quick and easy checklist. Make a residential fire checklist on one side of the tarp and a commercial fire checklist on the other side.
During incidents, stage RIT equipment on the tarp in close proximity to the incident hot zone. The equipment on the RIT tarp should be off-limits to suppression crews operating at the incident.
Preparation Is Key
Preparing for a RIT operation should be performed with just as much care and consideration as advancing a handline to the seat of the fire. Take time to review and practice the steps needed to effectively develop a RIT tool staging area to support fireground operations.
Add a Comment
-
Comment by Thomas Richmond on March 16, 2009 at 10:55am
-
CHECK OUT:
http://www.prolitespineboards.com/proddetail.asp?p=dragone
-
Comment by Reap on March 12, 2009 at 7:57pm
-
Probies should NOT be on RIT/RIC/FAST or whatever else you call it, teams or crews. RIT assignments are the absolute most stressful environment, in the worst conditions. Unless your in a career or "staffed" company, let experience carry the way in this one. Sorry newbie, keep the coffee pot on for us. We'll need it when we get back.
-
Comment by MELVIN FERGUSON on March 12, 2009 at 5:19pm
-
I LOVE RESPONDING AS THE RIT TEAM.
-
Comment by Muhammad Karim on March 12, 2009 at 4:02am
-
I like it. The drill gets the firefighters a chance to think and prepare them mentally for a RIT and to be honest that is one of the most important things about the job, being ready mentally. Exellent thinking Cap.
-
-
Good Training! No one thinks they will be a victim. Guess what? It can happen. Practice the thought process of what to do if your down and awake but stuck. Remind yourself how to focus on clues to your location inside the structure. What is the floor surface? Is there a hose line nearby? Where did you enter? Who was with you? What is your air supply? Practice a scenario where you are carried on a tarp as a victim through an obstacle course. What made it work or not? Have a plan for supplying air to your victim and which FF is going to do what task upon reaching the victim.
What is the SOG for communications during a RIC event, do your dispatchers know how it is supposed to work? What happens to ICS during the RIC. How will the overall event change? Has the structure been reconned and softened for easier access and egress? RIC is a physical and mental challenge keep up the good training Brothers and Sisters
-
-
I love the idea ,Im all about some hands on training , my dept doesnt do enough if you ask me , most of our training nights are on how to dump water , water hauling exercises and how to operate the pumps all important but come on. Thanks
-
Comment by Chris Adams on March 11, 2009 at 9:52pm
-
We are thinking about using a sheet that is laminated aqnd attaching it to the RIC Tarp. It has grommets on it and so as your dept needs change or RIC needs change all you have to do is print a new one. This is great for when you are on a late fire or a newbie who does not have the time ont he job to know this. training is what make s the diffrence.
-
Comment by Steven McKenna on March 11, 2009 at 9:22pm
-
Yeah good idea, but stenciling on a tarp doesn't work, tried it. Gets all messed up. Better idea is putting RIT equipment in special compartment, plus training.
-
Comment by Ryan McCarthy on March 11, 2009 at 8:57pm
-
very good brother!! I think I might have to try this soon with my guys. Good work.
"FTM-PTB-EGH-RFB-KTF-DTRT"
-
-
Most of our RIT equipment is already stored in the stokes basket ready to be deployed. The only things we need to grab is a TIC, Saw, and an Attic or Collapsible Ladder to round everything out.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
You need to be a member of My Firefighter Nation to add comments!
Join My Firefighter Nation