Book 101: RAPID INTERVENTION COMPANY Flashcards
In ____, the National Fire Protection Association adopted NFPA ____, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
1987
1500
This standard has been revised over the years and is a broad-based national standard, which addresses firefighting safety in fire ground operations, as well as a number of safety and health issues.
NFPA 1500
has also been revised and establishes guidelines for Emergency Services Incident Management Systems.
NFPA 1561
One of the most important issues adopted by the NFPA, was _____ ______at the scene of emergencies.
Personnel accountability
Written guidelines shall be established that provide for the ______ and _____ of all members operating at an emergency incident.
Tracking and inventory```
_______ operating at an emergency are responsible to actively participate in the accountability system.
All members
The ____ ______shall be responsible for overall personnel accountability for the incident. The Incident Commander shall initiate an accountability worksheet at the _______ of the incident and maintain the system throughout the operation.
Incident commander
Beginning
The Incident Commander shall maintain an awareness of the ______and ______ of all companies assigned to an incident.
Location and function
____ ____, ______, and _____ Supervisors shall directly supervise and account for companies operating under their command.
Branch directors,
Division, and group supervisors
_____ _____are accountable for all company members: company members are responsible to remain under the supervision of their assigned
Company commanders
Company commander. ______ shall be responsible for following the personnel accountability system procedures, which shall be used at all incidents.
Members
The Incident Command System shall provide for additional accountability based on ____, ______ or _____ of an incident, this can be accomplished by reducing ____ ___ _____.
Size, complexity, and needs
Span of control
The Incident Command System shall provide for _____ of ____ to the incident scene.
Control of access
The Department shall adopt and routinely use a standard ____ ______ system to maintain accountability for each member assigned to an incident.
Personnel identification
The ________ ________ _______ shall provide an accounting of all members once on scene of the incident.
Personnel accountability system
The Incident Command System shall include standard operating guidelines to evacuate personnel from an area where _____ _____ is found to exist and to account for their safety.
Imminent hazard
Maintaining continuous status and location of all resources, committed to an incident.
Accountability
A radio channel, designated by the Incident Commander, that is provided for communications between the incident commander and the tactical level management components (i.e. divisions or groups) during emergency incidents
Command channel
This radio channel is used by Department personnel as an “Emergency Trigger” for notifying or reporting firefighter emergency situations.
Emergency channel 6
Use of Common terminology understandable by all. The intent of the use of “_____-___” for radio communications is to paint a clear picture and reduce confusion at incidents, particularly where different agencies are working together.
Clear text
A term used to clear designated radio channels during incident to make way for important radio traffic for a firefighter emergency situation, safety concerns for members on scene, or an immediate change in tactical operations.
Emergency traffic
– A distinctive high/low tone initiated by MFC on the Incident Tactical Channel(s) and the Command Channel.
Emergency traffic radio tone
The emergency button on the hand-held 800 MHz radio.
EMERGENCY TRIGGER
Clear text terms used for radio communications to notify personnel on-scene at an emergency that a firefighter accident or emergency has occurred.
“FIREFIGHTER DOWN”, “FIREFIGHTER MISSING”, or “FIREFIGHTER TRAPPED”
Any atmosphere that poses an immediate hazard to life or produces immediate irreversible debilitating effects on health.
IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH (IDLH)
The radio channel(s) designated by MFC for incident operations. NFPA 1500 STANDARD – National Fire Protection Association Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
Incident tactical channels
The data terminal for all emergency apparatus that will display dispatch and other information.
Mobile data computer (MDC)
A personnel accountability verbal report of personnel and companies assigned to an incident.
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT (PAR)
The specific 4-digit number assigned to each hand held radio.
Radio id number
A company or companies designated to stand by in a state of readiness to perform a rescue effort of Department members.
RAPID INTERVENTION COMPANY (RIC)
This group supervisor is a functional position with the responsibility for supervising one or more Rapid Intervention Companies assigned to stand by for the rescue of personnel.
Rescue group supervisor
The assigned rescue tactical channel used by the Rapid Intervention Company/Companies and the Incident Commander or Rescue Group Supervisor to monitor rescue progress and communicate among the rescue personnel.
Rescue tactical channel
Whenever a hand-held radio is turned in for repairs or reassigned to another position, the ____ ____ _____ shall be immediately notified.
Mfc floor captain
Even if the hand-held radio is reset by turning the radio off then back on, the alarm and radio number display ____ _____at MFC until an investigation is completed to ascertain that no emergency exists.
Will continue
At this time, MFC has the ability to lock on only ___radio number when an emergency trigger is activated. Activated emergency triggers from multiple radios will _____previous radio identification numbers.
One
Delete
There are currently ____ different hand held radios in use on the Los Angeles Fire Department.
4
the most common hand-held radio currently in use. These radios have the Emergency Trigger located on the top of the radio near the base of the antenna. This button is orange in color.
MX 800 Hand-Held Radios
These radios are smaller than the MX 800 radios and are Black and Yellow in color. The Department is currently purchasing this radio, it is the replacement radio for the MX 800. The Emergency Trigger is orange in color and located on the top of the radio in front of the antenna.
XTS-3000 HAND HELD RADIOS
These radios are the general replacement radio for MX 800 hand-held radios previously assigned to Staff personnel. They are engraved with the letters LAFD in red. The emergency Button is located on the top of the radio on the opposite side away from the antenna. The button is orange in color.
ASTRO HAND HELD RADIO (800) MHz
These radios are used for communications with other agencies, which include law enforcement and fire. Contact with LAPD and LA Sheriff’s Department can be made during emergency incidents involving either of these agencies. They are engraved with the letters LAFD in blue. The emergency trigger is disabled on this radio.
Astro hand held radios (500MHz)
On the three LAFD radios equipped with an Emergency Trigger, when the Emergency Button is depressed, the radio will automatically switch to ___ ____ _____in the _____ mode and is ____ on this channel. The radio will beep _____ times and the display on the radio will read “_______”.
Emergency channel 6
Repeat
Locked
4 times
EMERGENCY
EMERGENCY TRIGGER
When the radio signal is received at MFC the computer will automatically acknowledge it and the display will then read “___ ___”
ACK RCV
The radio will remain locked on EMERGENCY Channel 6 until it is reset. The radio is reset by turning the radio ___ and then back __. When the radio is turned back on, it will go to the ____ _____that was in use prior to the Emergency Button being activated: (i.e. incident tactical channel, dispatch channel, command channel.)
OFF
ON
LAST CHANNEL
Members may encounter radio problems when operating in the following locations:
-Below ____ ____ (basement, tunnels)
-Within or adjacent to _____ _____ (X - Ray rooms, sound stages, etc.)
-In enclosed ______ cars
-In steep or narrow ______
-Anytime you are located outside the ____ ____
Ground level
Shielded rooms
Elevator cars
Canyons
City limits
All company personnel shall carry their assigned radio in the “_____” mode in their turnout coat or brush jacket pouch.
Repeat
Personnel on _____ ______can carry their radio without the external mic in the appropriate belt holder.
Rescue ambulances
The most efficient radio operation is dependent upon using the originally issued antenna. This antenna shall not be replaced with any _____ style antenna.
Shorter
The emergency traffic radio tone is transmitted for testing purposes on each ____ _____ Channel every _____ at _____ hours.
Division tactical channel
Sunday at 0800
______aware of an emergency situation (Firefighter Down, Missing, or Trapped), can declare an “EMERGENCY TRAFFIC,” or shall immediately notify the Incident Commander with the type of emergency.
Any member
It is imperative to give as much detail as possible in a concise manner to assist in locating, rescuing, and/or treating personnel. They are what 5 things?
WHERE:Firefighter down, third floor, southeast corner, near the front stairs.
WHO:If you know who is down, give specifics: Captain from Engine 31 is down, fire attack Engine 7 is trapped.
HOW MANY:Two members from Engine 22 are missing, two are accounted for.
WHY:If known give reason(s) why the firefighter is down: e.g. building collapse, flashover, smoke inhalation, etc.
WHAT:What actions will be necessary to effect rescue?
At the conclusion of the “ EMERGENCY TRAFFIC” situation, the Incident Commander shall transmit an “_____ ______ - ______ ______ ______” on all assigned Incident Command and Incident Tactical Channel(s) in addition to the notification to ___ to conclude the emergency situation.
ALL CLEAR- RESUME RADIO TRAFFIC
MFC
When a field Chief Officer becomes the Incident Commander, the following radio channels shall be monitored for possible communication with the affected members(s):
Dispatch Channel
Incident Command Channel
Incident Tactical Channel(s)
Rescue Tactical Channel (if assigned)
Emergency Channel 6
during the initial stages of an incident a standby Rapid Intervention Company DOES?
Does not have to be designated
As incidents expand beyond the ____ alarm assignment, the Incident Commander shall designate a Rapid Intervention Company to stand by. The Incident Commander should consider an _____ company or a _____ company as a minimum for assignment as a Rapid Intervention Company.
First
Engine company or a squad
The IC should not use companies from the first alarm assignment as RIC, unless a _______ _______to firefighters exists.
Significant hazard
There may be a need for more than one Rapid Intervention Company based on the ____ and ______ of the incident.
Size and complexity
Rapid Intervention Company/Companies should normally be located in proximity to the _______ _____ to ensure rapid dissemination of information from the Incident Commander (IC) and rapid deployment.
Command post
The rapid intervention mission can be separated into two categories.
1.) The first category is defined as the Standby Mode or preparation for Rapid Intervention as a precautionary measure (most frequent mode). 2.) The second category is the Deployment Mode
In this category of rapid intervention the resources assigned RIC have time to gather equipment, perform reconnaissance, and liaison with the Command Post.
STANDBY MODE (preparation for rapid intervention)
STANDBY MODE (preparation for rapid intervention)
In this mode the resources assigned as RIC shall monitor the following radio channels:
Incident Command Channel
Incident Tactical Channel(s)
Rescue Tactical Channel (if assigned)
Emergency Channel 6
When assigned RIC at an incident and in the “DEPLOYMENT MODE” (immediate rescue) the following radio channels should be monitored:
Rescue Tactical Channel (assigned by IC)
Emergency Channel 6 and/or Incident Tactical Channel
Deployment mode
Note: There may be a need to monitor the _____ ______ Channel if this is the only means of communication by the affected member, during rescue operations.
Incident tactical
In high-rise fire incidents the Rapid Intervention Company/Companies shall be located at
Staging
Additional considerations for Incident Commanders during rescue operations would be the use of the _____ _____and ________ _______, as well as additional infrared cameras carried on the _____ and _____Companies.
Heavy rescue
Emergency lighting
Squad and US&R
In a high-rise incident, paramedics should be assigned as a medical standby in
STAGING
The Incident Commander shall assign a Paramedic Rescue to stand by in the ______ _____ of the designated/deployed Rapid Intervention Company.
IMMEDIATE AREA
Company commanders responding to emergency incidents shall always report to a designated “______”, or at a high-rise incident “____”.
STAGING
BASE
The key to successful conclusion of a firefighter rescue is ______ ______ and a ______ search and rescue operation.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
TIMELY
If a member is in a life-threatening situation, the best way to get help is to activate
EMERGENCY TRIGGER BUTTON
The member should attempt to communicate, on EMERGENCY Channel ___ to notify MFC or the IC regarding his/her status. If MFC or the IC does not acknowledge the radio message, the member should reset the radio by turning the radio __ and then back __ and attempt to contact the IC on the assigned _____ ____Channel(s) regarding his/her status. If the IC does not acknowledge, the member should contact MFC on the _____ channel.
Emergency channel 6
Off
On
Incident tac
Dispatch
If the affected member is unable to move or exit the building, he/she should turn their _______ on and make an effort to stay on their _____ to allow the PASS alarm tone to be heard by rescuers from the front and rear of SCBA.
Flashlight
Side
The Los Angeles Fire Department system consists of magnetic strips marked with information about the member’s assigned to each apparatus that day. The information that will be contained on the magnetic strip is as follows:
The member’s full civil service name
-The member’s rank
In Division and Battalion SUV’s, the magnetic strips shall be carried in a visible location on the _______ ______, _______, or _____.
Communication console
Dashboard, or
Visor
The IC will assure that on-scene companies are notified of these imminent dangers. This confirmation may be through
Branch directors or division and group supervisors
The Department has implemented an “______ ______ _____” consistent with other State of California fire departments to further standardize operations at incidents.
Operational retreat policy
The “______ _____” will consist of repeated short blasts of the air horn for a period no longer than __ seconds, followed by __ seconds of silence. This sequence of air horn blasts for 10 seconds followed by a 10-second period of silence will be done ____ times; total air horn evacuation signal including periods of silence will last __ seconds.
Evacuation signal
10
10
Three times
50 secs
NOTE: The apparatus selected to conduct the air horn “EVACUATION SIGNAL” should not be apparatus in close proximity to the ______ ____, if possible, thus reducing the chance of missing any radio messages.
Command post
After an “EMERGENCY TRAFFIC” evacuation of a building, a _____ ______ _____ shall be conducted to assure all companies and members are accounted for at the incident or in a specific Branch, Division or Group.
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT (PAR)
MFC will start an incident clock when the first _______ ____arrives on scene of a structure fire, or other incidents, which appear to be time sensitive or dangerous.
Dispatched unit
At each __-minute interval, MFC will advise the IC of the elapsed time on the incident clock until the IC requests cancellation.
15
AUTOMATIC/MUTUAL AID FIRE GROUND COMMUNICATION
5.The assisting agency and the primary agency use a pre-designated common frequency. The frequency that is most commonly used is ___ ___ _____
Ones white 2&3
For several years members have been utilizing ______to provide for firefighter safety while operating at wildland incidents.
L.c.e.s.
L.C.E.S is?
Lookout
Communication
Escape routes
Safety zones
LCES FOR STRUCTURES
The Department recognized that there are three additional direct causes of firefighter injury or death in the wildland and added these to LCES.
Location
Conditions
Safety equipment
Uninvolved to Involved
Building Construction
Lightweight roof and/or floors
Facades/Mezzanines
Company placement
Location
Anything showing
Color of smoke/flame
Smoke being sucked in or forced out
Unusual intensity
Risk vs. Gain
Conditions
Required
P.A.S.S. on
Radio on correct channel
Check each other
Safety equipment
A rapid intervention company shall consist of at least ___ members and shall be available for rescue of a _____ or a _____ if the need arises.
Two
Member or a company
In the early stages of an incident, which includes the deployment of a First Alarm assignment, the rapid intervention company(s) shall be either:
a) ______ members designated and dedicated as rapid intervention companies; or
b) On-scene members performing other functions but ready to redeploy to perform rapid intervention company functions. The re-assignment of any personnel shall ___ ___ _____, as members of the rapid intervention company if abandoning their critical tasks(s) clearly jeopardizes the safety and health of any member operating at the incident.
On-scene
Shall not be permitted
As an incident expands in size or complexity, which includes an incident commander’s request for additional resources beyond the First Alarm assignment, at least _____ Rapid Intervention Company (RIC) shall, upon the arrival of the additional resources, be designated as a RIC.
One
The Department has modified the operations for the first arriving Engine Company at a structure fire to comply with _____requirements.
OSHA
To comply with this requirement(osha), when the first arriving engine company arrives onscene by themselves, the _____, and one _______ can advance a hose line into the structure, while the firefighter that laid the supply line and engineer operating the pump shall remain _____ the hazardous atmosphere as standby members until another ______ arrives on-scene.
Officer
Firefighter
Outside
Company
When more than one company is assigned to rapid intervention functions, assign an officer - preferably a ____ ______ ______ or ____ ______, as the Rescue Group Supervisor.
Task force commander
Battalion commander
ENGINE, SQUAD, LIGHT FORCE RAPID INTERVENTION COMPANY CONFIGURATION (4-6 Members)
Captain:
Firefighter:
Firefighter:
Eng/Ao:
Firefighter(LF):
Ric leader
Ric member (infrared camera)
Ric member
Ric member or entry control member/back up
Ric member or entry control member/backup
NOTE: All “Entry Control Members” should be in full ____ and ____ and prepared to assist the primary team if needed.
Full turnouts and SCBA
Do not attempt to support more than ____ entry point
One
When a Task Force or Light Force and Engine is assigned RIC, with the TFC as the Rescue Group Leader, the following configuration is recommended:
TASK FORCE or LIGHT FORCE AND ENGINE (9-10 Members) 2- RAPID INTERVENTION COMPANIES:
CAPTAIN II:
CAPTAIN I:
ENGINEER: FIREFIGHTER: FIREFIGHTER: APPARATUS: OPERATOR: ENGINEER: FIREFIGHTER: FIREFIGHTER:
Rapid Intervention Group Supervisor
Engine RIC Leader
RIC Member or *Entry Control Member/Backup
Engine RIC Member
Engine RIC Member
Truck RIC Leader
RIC Member or *Entry Control Member/Backup
Truck RIC Member
Truck RIC Member
It may be necessary to leave ___ member (of a four member team), at an entry point to assist the rapid intervention team with either _____, monitoring (_____) or as a reference point (____).
One
Lighting
Tether
Exit
The tenth member can assist the____ ____ ____ as needed
Rescue group supervisor
Initially, all members assigned, as a Rapid Intervention Company shall have the following as a minimum: full protective clothing donned, _____ with ____ ____, ___ ____ _____, flashlight and ___ ____
SCBA with drop bag
800 mhz radio
RIC KIT
Additional RIC Kits-
One Kit consists of: Nylon bag with ____ and ______ handles, __ minute air cylinder, First stage pressure reducer with ___ feet of intermediate pressure hose, Second stage regulator, Facepiece, Pelican Flashlight with integrated holder, and ___ feet drop bag line).
Sling and carrying handles
60 min
10’
150’
Additional equipment:
Additional ___ ___(s) Additional ____ _____ *Designated Tool(s) Designated _____ ______ (hose fan, nozzle fan etc.)
____ resource and Medical Equipment
Drop bags
Flash lights
Entry procedure
Als
Prior to lifting or pulling a downed firefighter, the following procedures should be accomplished if conditions permit:
Shut down ______ device and reset, (refer to manual of operation 6/3-01.01) Assess the firefighter for the following:
_______/Conscious/Air Supply (can be quickly done by turning red bypass valve on second stage regulator in a ________direction past detent.) Make sure that the member’s ____ _____ is secured to the member’s waist, if not, try to reposition the waist strap so as to capture __ ___. Figure -4
If the member is conscious but trapped, contact the Rescue Group Supervisor and depending on the time needed for extrication, connect the rescued member into the RIC Kit one-hour air supply, or buddy breathe.
Have sufficient resources and an ____resource at the exit portal for immediate ALS intervention and transfer of downed member to hospital.
PASS device
Breathing
Counterclockwise
Waist strap
One leg
ALS
In cases where the location of the firefighter is unknown and initial rescue attempts have been unsuccessful in locating the lost firefighter, several options may be available such as a ___ ____hose line, ______life line, or ____ ____.
ONE INCH HOSE LINE
LIGHTED LIFELINE
DROP BAG
Consider checking with ______ near the entry point to gather information about companies working inside of structures. Engineers should be aware of the following information:
What ___ _____are being utilized
How ___have the companies gone inside
How ____ have the companies been inside
What ______did company members go (based on firefighting lines or available information). How many ________ are on hose lines and which lines? (consider using ____ to list companies on the door or wall next to the opening identifying which lines they are on)
ENGINEER
Size lines
Far
Long
Direction
Personnel
Chalk
It is the responsibility of all on scene ______ to turn all apparatus pick-up lights and side mounted quartz lights on aerial apparatus towards the involved structure, to illuminate the potential openings of the building.
Engineers
Any search and rescue operation should be preceded with a basic knowledge of the following factors:
Structure (construction and layout)
Fire (location and extension)
Victims (number and location) Resources (personnel and equipment) SOPs (methods and training)
When entering a structure or room, three factors usually determine the path of search:
Information gathered from IC and firefighting personnel.
Location of interior fire attack lines, for last known location.
Searching an area that is unknown for a potential victim by turning either left or right.
O.A.T.H
1 TUG: Ok. Everything all right(give frequently)
2 tugs: advance going ahead, wearer will pull line. Entry control member lets line slide through hands
3 tugs: take up backing up, retreating, moving position. Entry control member keeps slack out of line
4 tugs: hel emergency, assistance needed inside, send in backup teams
same signaling technique as oath can be used with the ______ as the line used for communicating. Signals should be pronounced and definite.
Hose line
three search personnel can maintain contact with a reference point (wall-Orientated Right) while conducting a search. The first person (company leader) on the line is responsible for leading the company and maintaining contact with the wall.
In line position
This technique requires the company leader to remain in contact with the wall and the tether, which is anchored to the outside.
Parallel position
There are four basic methods used to _____ ______ ______, utilizing the _’ nylon strap. Those meth
Tether between personnel
12’
Half hitch around the hands
Half hitch around members wrist
Carabiners to secure member to leaders D rings
Carabiners to secure members to the leaders SCBA frame.
the leader of a RIC straddles the hose. In this case, a 6’ tether can be attached either to the D rings on the RIC leader’s turnout coat or their SCBA frame, (note: all attachments with tether should be made with a carabiner for ease of detachment). Remaining RIC members then fan out the length of tether and together the company searches the area around the hoseline and advances towards the nozzle.
Hose fan
The noise a RIC and incident can produce may overpower the sound of a P.A.S.S. device or SCBA alarm bell. It is best to coordinate breathing as a company:
pause, hold breath, look, listen, and move on.
The RIC leader (normally a captain)
stays at the nozzle to maintain a point of orientation. The RIC leader then utilizes nozzle fan drop- bag that contains 150’ of cord with overhand knots tied at every ___feet. This method is?
6’
Nozzle fan
This method also allows a secondary RIC the ability to search an area where the initial search team left off.
Nozzle fan
Officers/company will perform quick _______ on their way to the command post to check in (the designated Rapid Intervention Company shall not become involved in tactical operations on the fireground as long as they are assigned as the RIC).
Reconnaissance
In addition, the officer in charge of RIC should obtain or request the following:
An Infrared Camera (from Battalion Sedan)
Additional RIC Kits (one kit assigned to each Task Force)
A Paramedic Ambulance if not already assigned.
A Rescue TAC Channel (If needed)
Members should consider changing over to ___ ____breathing apparatus bottles if time permits. When a task force is assigned as the RIC only ___ company at a time should change over to one-hour SCBA bottles.
One hour
One
Rescue Ambulance members should bring the gurney, oxygen, defibrillator, backboard and trauma box near the ______location of the Rapid Intervention Company.
Staging
Communications in a Metro-Rail tunnel are limited to the following channels in the repeat mode:
2,4,6,12,15,16,17
All other frequencies are available in the direct mode only (Line of site).
Metro rail:
F-tel phones are located at each standpipe outlet every ___’ in the tunnel.
250’
Metro rail:
Descent – Deploy to the _____ level. Check in with “____ _____” for the acquisition of a “____ _____”. Use this train for priority movement of personnel and equipment to support rapid intervention operations. Utilize uninvolved tunnels. Cross passages are located every ___’.
Platform level
Station division
Rescue cart
750’
