The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Rapid Intervention, or On-deck teams?
Good Evening All! Input needed! In the past, I've always been taught that RIT (Rapid Intervention Teams) were the way to go on the fire scene, however I recently started a full time job at a new Fire Department, and Our Chief is sold on the Idea of ON DECK teams. For those of you that don't know or have never heard of this concept, I'll explain. On a RIT crew, you have one hoseline positioned at some strategic point on the fire scene with two or three Firefighters for the sole purpose of Rescue. On deck, however, requires multiple lines and you should hope to have mutual aid companies to man the hoselines. As opposed to being positioned at a strategic location, the On Deck teams are positioned at any location that a firefighter has made entry. I personally think this is a great idea for all Fire Departments to implement, IF you have the man power and Mutual Aid companies en route. What do you all think? Your input would be very valuable. Thank you
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Michael J Burke on
-
I think the concept is novel but I know in my Department/area it is unrealistic. We barely have the manpower to the neccessary jobs on the fireground safely as it is. I am a big supporter of RIT and the whole concept. If you have the personel to make it work than that is awesome.
-
Permalink Reply by FETC on
-
Jeff, not to be a jerk but try using the search engine for threads on this site as this has already been done, and many people did some extensive posts for educating people and also debate.
-
Permalink Reply by Todd M. Beery on
-
I am sure there are many ways we could approach the RIT concept, but as with everything we do in the fire service I believe it is important to evaluate each scene & cross train with several types of operations. Crew on duty may work in some instances but what if there is an unexpected wall collapse at the entry point? Now we have created a double emergency situation 2 situations within a situation if you will. As far as multiple lines goes, once again rual communities are faced with water movement challenges so if it is availible but at the same time it takes manpower & energy to deploy those lines, as established RIT operations states those assigned to RIT should do minimal fireground work in order to keep those individuales fresh. Some depts. have limited manpower so that is always another consideration. My second dept has auto mutial aid in place but not for RIT. As a county safety officer when arriving OSC that is one of my primary concerns & if needed I will request a mutial aid co. for RIT.
-
Permalink Reply by Marc on
-
Ok. In the Los Angeles CITY Fire Department we do a Rapid Intervention Company. Its inbetween a RIT and On-deck team. We have a taskforce (10 members) or a light force + rescue (8 members) as our RIC team. they have 2-3 hose lines and atleast one Paramedic with them. The Team is placed either @ a stratigic location or where FF's made entry...all depending.
I like this method.
TCSS
Explorer Capt Marc Hurwitz
Los Angeles CITY Fire Dept.
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
This has been covered, look into the previous discussion for more replies.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeff Teeters on
-
Well thank you for the input and the negativity. Next time I'll just pay attention before I post and ask anything. Thanks.
-
-
Jeff,
Lighten up. Many of us write some lengthy and well thought out reponses and do not feel the need to repeat the work and effort for everytime someone pops on FFN and just click on add discussion.
Why should we work to repeat the response, when you can spend your time searching.
http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topics/rit-or-on-deck (50 responses)
BTW: Phoenix developed on-deck and your description of how it works with multiple lines and no strategic postions is not how the on-deck concept works, at least from the developers...
-
Permalink Reply by T.J. on
-
I guess it would have to be a department thing, but for my department we feel the rit team is working great for use and to have another team with another hoseline at every door that a team is inside of seems to be a bit of a over kill and a lot more of a injury hazard.
-
Permalink Reply by Holly on
-
We have a company in the area that are called in as mutual aide for the sole purpose of RIT.
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
-
I think it is a great idea.....BUT....where are you going to get that amount of man-power (don't feel slighted ladies)...You have to understand....other than water the most needed item is man-power....RIT, or FAST teams ...if thats your term are solely dedicated as a response team...that is their ONLY function....they are the last chance for anyone in a deep pile of sh_t....well you get the idea.....Stay safe....Keep the Faith...Paul
-
Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
-
FETC, you're right. As designed, neither RIT or On Deck involves standing outside staffing backup hoselines. RIT is primarily a unit with tools - forcible entry and prying tools, rope, a TIC, extra air supply and lights, webbing, carabiners, etc.
On Deck is essentially a dismounted staging method whereby the companies rotate to the "next up" position and are ready to quickly go to work. If the next assignment is RIT, they can fill that assignment. If it's adding a hoseline to the attack, searching, venting, or whatever, they can do that too, depending on how their company is equipped and staffed.
The best RIT/RIC/FAST teams tend to be truck, rescue, or squad companies, or an engine equipped with the RIT cache from a truck or rescue, and cross-trained as a truck.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
