PROGRAM OBJECTIVES At the completion of this program, the firefighter will be able to:

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Explain why fire companies get trapped and die in burning structures

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Recognize problems associated with firefighter deaths, and offer actions to be taken to minimize these risks

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Define acronyms associated with firefighter search and rescue teams around the country

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Check and verify strategies and tactics related to search and rescue procedures

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Recognize conditions which can activate a R.I.C. Team

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Recall when and where to establish a R.I.C. Team

DEFINITIONS
R.I.T. Rapid Intervention Team (Alexandria, VA) F.A.S.T. Fire Fighter Assist & Search Team (FDNY, Montgomery County, P.A.) R.I.C. Rapid Intervention Crew (Phoenix, AZ) I.R.I. Immediate Response Team ( Mt. Joy, PA) F.R.A.T. Fire Fighter Rescue Available Team GO-TEAM {Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire} R.D.U. Rapid Deployment Unit

Immediately available !
A fresh team of skilled personnel. Having gathered vital information for ascertaining rescues. Also having rescue tools available.

Readily identifiable.

REASONS COMPANIES GET LOST/TRAPPED/DIE CONDITIONS DETERIORATE RAPIDLY INEXPERIENCED OFFICERS WATER LOSS IMPROPER SIZE-UP FAILURE TO FOLLOW BASIC SAFE FIRE PRINCIPLES

REASONS COMPANIES GET LOST/TRAPPED/DIE

FAILURE TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE PROBLEMS DURING PREPLANNING ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS FAILURE TO DETECT SECONDARY FIRES FIREFIGHTER GETTING ABOVE FIRE WITHOUT KNOWING IT

FIREFIGHTER DEATH STATISTICS/CAUSES

There are no available statistics showing the number of Firefighter deaths due to being trapped or lost. NFPA & OSHA believe having a R.I.C. Team in place will minimize the risk to F.F. involved in structure fires.

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS

PROBLEM
POOR VISIBILITY

ACTION
VENTILATE + LIGHT

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS

PROBLEM
HIGH HEAT

ACTION
VENTILATE & STAY LOW

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS

PROBLEM
MANY FLOORS

ACTION
LAST SEEN ON FLOOR BELOW

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS

PROBLEM
LARGE AREA

ACTION
SUBDIVIDE FLOOR FOR SEARCH

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS

PROBLEM
TIME

ACTION
TIME FOR RIC MUST BE MONITORED

WHEN TO ESTABLISH A R.I.C. TEAM

Any dispatched call, or when you encounter the following
WORKING STRUCTURE FIRES (MULTIPLE ALARMS) OFFENSIVE FIRE OPERATIONS SPECIAL HAZARDS OPERATIONS Trench Operations Building Collapse Incident Confined Space Rescue HAZMAT Call

CONDITIONS WHICH CAN ACTIVATE R.I.C. TEAM

* Lost/Trapped/Unaccounted For * Flashover * Backdraft * Rapid Increase in Fire * Explosion * Collapse

A R.I.C. TEAM
MAKE UP.
1.

A Company of 3 to 4 trained personnel 2. Full Turn Out Gear and S.C.B.A. 3. Some Tools in Hand a. Axe or Rubbish Hook b. Radio c. Pry Bar d. Chain Saw, K-12, etc.

Reporting to I.C.
R.I.C. team report directly to I. C. I.C. Briefs R.I.C. Team members.

GATHERING INFORMATION WHILE STANDING BY

Each members responsibility Officer-responsible for the tactics board.
Channel assignments & strategy & tactics of I.C. F.F. 1 - review pre-fire plan {if available} F.F. 2 - Conducts walk around:
Viewing all four sides Checking locations of other Fire Companies Checking fire conditions, hazards, exposures, etc.

F.F. 3 - interviews property owner/manager {if available} workers, neighboring structures.

WHERE TO ESTABLISH R.I.C. TEAM

Near Command Post Visual/Verbal Contact with I.C. Stay Out of Way!

REASONS TO ACTIVATE R.I.C. TEAM

Call from Firefighter in Trouble Call from Other Member Absence of P.A.R. Witnessed Emergency Collapse,etc.

ACTIONS NEEDED
Activate May Day or Code Red Commit R.I.C. Team Alert EMS Request More Resources Initiate P.A.R. Possible Withdraw part or all Companies Check and Verify Strategy and Tactics

I.C. and R.I.C. TEAM

Consider last known location Listen-radio, P.A.S.S., screams, tapping Trace hose lines or life lines while maintaining awareness of structure which brought about emergency Open All Exits Search

Actions TakenLost/Trapped F.F.

Call For Help May Day Activate P.A.S.S. Stay Together, if possible Follow hose or life line Conserve Air Supply Use Light, radio (if radio works) Describe Surroundings

 BE PREPARED

RIC TEAM PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY

Fully Bunkered Have Equipment Ready Study Building Layout Be Familiar with Companies placement and assignment Converse with I.C. Have a Plan Use All Resources Available

PRACTICE & TRAIN SAFETY

BUDDY BREATHING
SEARCH & FIND

R.I.C TEAM BAG

1. Rescue Rope with Knots 2. Spare Radios 3. Heavy Duty Lights 4. Extra Air Bottles 5. R.I.C.Decals for Helmets

* R.I.C. Team Bag carried in Battalion Chiefs Vehicle