RIT Flashcards
How many Fire fighters does it take to rescue 1 distressed fire?
12
pg.1
“As proven in the Phoenix Fire Department’s study on this topic4, it takes approximately 12 firefighters to rescue one firefighter in distress, and one in five members attempting to affect the rescue will have an emergency of their own.”
RIT level 1 Compliment:
1 engine
A special service (preferably a heavy rescue)
pg.2
RIT Level 1 – One engine and a special service, preferably a heavy rescue, will be requested by the initial Incident Commander or the first due command officer when the incident is determined to be a working structure fire.
RIT level 2 compliment:
1 engine
1 truck
1 heave rescue
1 bc or command officer
1 ALS transport
pg.2
RIT Level 2 – One engine, one truck, one heavy rescue, one battalion chief or command officer, and one ALS transport unit.
RIT level 3 compliment:
at least 2 rescue companies or units w/ structural rescue capabilities
pg.2
RIT Level 3 – A minimum of two rescue companies or units with structural collapse rescue capabilities.
pg.11
“The RIT Level 3 consists of at least two rescue companies or units with structural collapse rescue capabilities, a response unit with shoring capabilities, and support resources to include additional rescue tools, technical search equipment, and additional collapse rescue-trained staffing.”
L-
U-
N-
A-
R-
pg.4
LUNAR – Acronym used to assist personnel in remembering the information they need to relay or gather in the event of a Mayday.
L – Location
U – Unit
N – Name
A – Assignment at time of Mayday
R – Resources/help needed
Definitions
Heavy Rescue Capability
a unit equipped to perform structural collapse rescue
(preferably at the NFPA 1670 ops level)
pg.4
Heavy Rescue Capability – a fire and rescue response unit staffed and equipped to perform structural collapse rescue (preferably at the NFPA 1670 Operations Level). This unit should be capable of cutting, breaching, and lifting light-frame or reinforced masonry building components and/or building contents such as furniture or appliances.
R-
O-
A-
M-
rule
of
air
management
pg.5
ROAM – acronym for Rule Of Air Management.
U-
C-
A-
N-
unit
conditions
actions
needs
pg.5
UCAN – Acronym used to assist personnel in remembering the information they need to relay or gather in the event of a Mayday.
U – Unit
C – Conditions A – Actions
N – Needs
Mayday Transmissions
- Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
- Engine 407, Engine 407, Engine 407
- Command acknowledge
Once acknowledged by command
- Position and name
- Location
- Nature of emergency
- Command acknowledge
pg.6
Initial Mayday transmissions should include the following three phrases stated by the firefighter in distress:
State “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
State the unit number three times, (e.g., “Engine 407, Engine 407, Engine 407.”)
Finish by stating, “Command acknowledge.”
Once the Mayday is acknowledged by command, the following information should be transmitted by the firefighter in distress:
Position and name (e.g., “Lieutenant Antonio.”)
Location (e.g., “2nd floor, bravo quadrant.”)
Nature of emergency (e.g., “we have been cut off by collapse, one member is missing,
our current air supply is 1500 psi.”)
Finish by stating, “Command acknowledge.”
If not acknowledged by command, perform/transmit the following:
- Activate (EAB)
- Activate PASS device and key radio
- Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
- Engine 407, Engine 407, Engine 407
- State location
- Nature of emergency
- Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
- Command acknowledge
pg.6
If not acknowledged by command, perform/transmit the following:
- Activate the Emergency Activation Button (EAB) on the portable radio, if possible.
- Activate your PASS device and briefly key your portable to get the attention of other
- firefighters or command. Deactivate your PASS whenever communicating via radio and
- reactivate once complete.
- State “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
- State the unit number three times, (e.g., “Engine 407, Engine 407, Engine 407.”)
- State location (e.g., “We are on the second floor, bravo quadrant.”)
- State the nature of the emergency (e.g., “We have been cut off by collapse, one member is missing, our current air supply is 1500 psi.”)
- State “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
- Finish by stating, “Command acknowledge.”
Who has the ability to change RIT assignments as the incident dictates?
The Incident Commander
pg.8
“The Incident Commander has the ability to change RIT assignments as the incident dictates.”
When should a RIT level 1 be established?
as soon as a working structure fire is determined by units on scene.
pg.8
“To move up from the initial RIT, the initial IC shall request that a RIT Level 1 be dispatched as soon as a working structure fire is determined. In the event this is missed by the initial IC because of busy incident conditions, the first due command officer shall ensure that the RIT level 1 is dispatched if the incident is determined to be a working structure fire.”
NOTEWORTHY
pg.8
“Note that if the initial IC immediately requests a second alarm, the initial IC will also need to request the RIT Level 1 resources in addition to the request for the second alarm assignment.”
What becomes mandatory for an IC to request if a Mayday is called?
RIT level 2
pg.8
“RIT Level 2 becomes mandatory for an IC to request if a Mayday is called.”
NOTEWORTHY
pg.8
“when requesting a second alarm, RIT Level 1 is mandatory and must be requested by the IC whereas RIT Level 2 is optional.”
Initial Actions upon Receiving a Mayday Call:
- acknowledge Mayday + deploy RIT
- Announce Emergency Traffic only + personnel maintain current positions/assignments
- confirm info from downed ff (UCAN or LUNAR)
- Request accountability of crew that started Mayday
- RIT Level 2
- PAR check
pg.8
Acknowledge the Mayday and deploy the RIT Resources to the last known location.
Make an incident scene announcement to communicate a desire for Emergency
Traffic only and all that personnel shall maintain their current positions/assignments.
Confirm pertinent information from downed firefighter (i.e., UCAN or LUNAR).
Request accountability of crew that initiated the Mayday.
Ensure the dispatch of RIT Level 2. (See the next section for an explanation of the RIT
levels.)
Initiate a PAR check to confirm accountability of all personnel operating in the IDLH.
Additional Actions after Receiving a Mayday Call:
- Backfill initial RIT
- consider addtional channels for RIT
- Revise IAP and incident priorities to a high-priority seach/rescue
- consider additional resources
- withdraw + control unassigned resources from search and rescue area
pg.8
Backfill the initial RIT for continued fire ground operations as soon as possible.
As the situation dictates and resources become available, consider using additional radio
channels for RIT Operations.
Revise the incident action plan and incident priorities to a high-priority search and rescue
operation.
Development of a rescue action plan is critical.
o Consider/request additional resources.
Withdraw and control unassigned resources from the search and rescue area.
o Control and restrict entry.
Command-Activated Deployment of RIT without Mayday Call:
pg.9
- Unit resource missing after a PAR.
- Structural collapse with entrapment.
- Observes units/personnel in distress.
NOTEWORTHY
PG.10
“Note: Remember that to move up from the initial RIT, the initial IC shall request that a RIT Level 1be dispatched as soon as a working structure fire is determined. In the event this is missed by the initial IC because of busy incident conditions, the first due command officer shall ensure that the RIT level 1is dispatched if the an incident is determined to be a working structure fire. Also remember that if the initial IC immediately requests a second alarm, the initial IC will also need to request the RIT Level 1 resources in addition to the request for the second alarm assignment. (Also Request RIT Level 2 if it is determined to be needed or a Mayday is called.)”
Who becomes the RIT group Supervisor?
The officer of the Initial RIT
pg.10
“When the RIT Level 1 is dispatched, these units will arrive on the scene and augment the Initial RIT resource. The resulting RIT Level 1 resource is to be referred to as the RIT Group. The officer of the Initial RIT will become the RIT Group Supervisor. The RIT Group will operate as any other group within the ICS system, with the sole function of firefighter rescue. The RIT Group can request additional resources to augment their capabilities as needed through the IC.”
The IC should consider requesting a RIT Level 2 in any of these situations or conditions:
pg.11
Significant fire in a large residential building (multiple floors, large square footage).
Working fire in a commercial building.
Working fire in a high-rise building.
Prolonged burn time or rapid deterioration of conditions within the IDLH.
Negative structural conditions to include any of the following:
o Excessive weight on the roof.
o Significant or unusual fire load.
o Pre-existing damage to the building from fire, renovation or deterioration.
Potential collapse indicators.
Actual collapse occurs with crews operating in the IDLH.
What channel(s) should be monitored by RIT?
Tactical and safety channels
pg.12
“Monitor tactical and safety channel(s) radio traffic.”
NOTEWORTHY
Do not commit to any operation that will prevent you from maintaining readiness!
RIT tool cache:
- handlights
- radios
- forcible entry tools
- tagline and/or search rope
- RIT air supply
- additional SCBA
- Thermo camera
- Pak trackers
- Saws
- packaging devices
pg.12
o Hand-lights
o Portable radios
o Forcible entry hand tools
o Tagline and/or search rope
o RIT Air Supply
o Additional SCBA(s), if a RIT Air Supply is not available
o Thermal imaging camera
o Pak Trackers, if available
RIT level 1 actions?
Support the initial RIT
PG.13
“Support objectives of the Initial RIT.”
RIT level 2 actions
pg.14
The following actions should also take place when activating a RIT Level 2 Group:
Assignment of the Battalion Chief or a Command Officer as the RIT Group Supervisor.
Assignment of a separate radio channel for RIT.
Coordinate rescue operations with firefighting operations and other incident scene
operations.
Identify support needs and request additional resources from the IC.
Identify or create access openings to the trapped firefighters.
Develop capability to supply air to trapped firefighters from all jurisdictions involved,
accounting for differences in SCBA equipment.
Anticipate patient extrication requirements and assign tasks.
Anticipate patient packaging and removal requirements and assign tasks.
Assign ALS units, outside of the hazard zone, where most ALS interventions can take
place.
RIT Level 3 – (Collapse Rescue) Actions
pg.14/15
Assign Technical Rescue Group to be led by a technical rescue-qualified officer.
Assign a Technical Rescue Safety Officer by technical rescue-qualified personnel.
Consider an additional channel for RIT Level 3 logistical operations.
Initiate operations to rescue surface victims and lightly-trapped victims.
Expand search parameters established during previous RIT Levels:
Hailing system technique (call out into collapse area, triangulation of sounds). Technical search devices (acoustic listening devices, visual search cameras).
Initiate operations to search accessible void spaces.
Identify support requirements and request resources from IC.
Initiate operations to perform heavy rescue requirements.
o Breaching
o Lifting
o Specific debris removal
o General rubble clearance
o Utilization of heavy equipment
Maintain a RIT capability while rescue operations are performed.
Consider physician response to the scene.
NOTEWORTHY
pg.16
“RIT Recon should not overload themselves with excessive tools and equipment.”
Once activated where should the RIT Recon deploy to?
last. known location of the downed firefighter.
pg. 16
“Once activated the RIT Recon should deploy to last known location of the downed firefighter. It is the RIT Recon’s responsibility to locate, provide air, and secure a tag line in the area near the downed firefighter. RIT Recon should not overload themselves with excessive tools and equipment. Once the downed firefighter is located, air has been secured, and a tag line is place, the RIT Recon should determine any additional resources needed (additional RITs, tools, and/or equipment). The RIT Recon should begin packaging the downed firefighter and begin the removal process, if possible.”
What is the RIT Recon’s responsibility?
locate, provide air, and secure a tagline.
once the ff is secured and a tagline is in place, begin packaging/removal
pg.16
“Once activated the RIT Recon should deploy to last known location of the downed firefighter. It is the RIT Recon’s responsibility to locate, provide air, and secure a tag line in the area near the downed firefighter. RIT Recon should not overload themselves with excessive tools and equipment. Once the downed firefighter is located, air has been secured, and a tag line is place, the RIT Recon should determine any additional resources needed (additional RITs, tools, and/or equipment). The RIT Recon should begin packaging the downed firefighter and begin the removal process, if possible.”
The RIT Group Supervisor should deploy teams composed of how many personnel members?
at least 3.
pg.16
“The RIT Group Supervisor should deploy teams composed of a minimum of three personnel.”
Rule of 1/3:
pg.16
All personnel will use the Rule of 1/3 during all operations as a minimum.
Example:
Rule of 1/3
o 4500 psi to 3000 psi: entry, locate, and work
o 3000 psi to 1500 psi: exit
o 1500 psi and below: safety margin
What does the acronym ROAM stand for?
Rule of Air Management
pg.16
“The teams should be mindful of their assigned task as well as maintaining the Rule of Air Management (ROAM).”
Rescue and removal is the responsibility of whom?
RIT rescue.
pg.17
“Rescue and removal is the responsibility of the RIT Rescue. Upon receiving information from the RIT Recon and the development of a rescue action plan, the RIT Rescue should gather any tools and equipment required to affect the rescue. The RIT Rescue should deploy to the location of the downed firefighter in the most expedient manner, if additional resources are required, the team leader should notify the RIT Group Supervisor. It should be noted that if there is more than one firefighter in distress, additional rescue teams will be required.”
Sudies show that on average it takes how many minutes to locate a lost or downed firefighter add an additional how many minutes to remove the firefighter?
8 minutes
22 minutes
pg.17
“Studies show, on average, it takes 8 minutes to locate a lost or downed firefighter and an additional 22 minutes to remove that firefighter.”
When is an attack line considered deployed?
pg.5
“An attack line is to be considered deployed when it is removed from the pumping apparatus.”
Studies show it takes a minimum of how many firefighters to affect a rescue?
12
pg.16
“Case studies have shown that it takes a minimum of twelve personnel to affect a rescue.”
During RIT situations only emergency traffic communication is allowed, True or False?
true.
pg.18
This section is intended to address the expectations of all units on the incident scene during RIT situations.
Maintain radio discipline.
o Communicate emergency traffic only.
Ensure accountability of your crew.
Prepare for a PAR.
Continue with current assignment:
o Search immediate area for missing or downed firefighter.
o Face-to-face communication with other units operating in the immediate vicinity.
APPENDIX A: LOST/TRAPPED FIREFIGHTER COMMAND CHECKLIST
RIT Command Board Front
RIT Command Board Back
RIT Identification sticker
Until a missing firefighter is located, command officers must always assume that:
pg.4
“Command officers must always assume that the missing firefighter is lost in the building until they can be located.”
If you believe you are lost in a large open area:
