Kent County Chiefs Association

Standard Operating Guidelines &

Standard Operating Procedures

Subject: Rapid Intervention Team

SOG # 1-11

Approved

October 2006

Approved by: President Bruce Neal

Revised

Purpose: To establish a standard practice for deploying a fully equipped rescue team or teams onsite, in a ready state, to immediately react and respond to rescue injured or trapped firefighters and other emergency personnel. This procedure will be implemented at any incident where fire personnel are subject to hazards that would be immediately dangerous to life and/or health in the event of an equipment failure, sudden change of conditions or mishap.

Applicability: This policy applies to all Emergency Service Personnel

Definitions:

Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) – A crew deployed in a ready state, to immediately react and respond to rescue injured or trapped fire fighters. A Rapid Intervention Team shall consist of at least four members and shall be available for rescue of a member or a crew if the need arises. Rapid Intervention Teams shall be fully equipped with the appropriate protective clothing, protective equipment, SCBA and any specialized rescue equipment that might be needed given the specifics of the operation underway.

IC - Incident Commander

RIT Task Force – Additional units dispatched on calls consisting of 1 engine, 1 special service, and one medical transport unit.

Special Service - A Ladder truck, Tower, or Rescue

1. A RIT will be implemented at all incidents where fire department members are subject to hazards that would be immediately dangerous to life and/or health in the event of an equipment failure, sudden change of conditions, or mishap. The RIT function can be initiated on any other type of incidents at the discretion of the IC.

2. On known working fires, reported working fires, reported subjects trapped, or at discretion of dispatcher, the RIT Task Force will be alerted at dispatch of call to supplement personnel utilized as RIT. These units are not required to be assigned the RIT function. The RIT task force units shall be added to all stations fire box alarms.

3. To ensure that the RIT function is initiated the 3^rd arriving engine will be designated to perform the RIT function. The IC can assign this function to a different unit at their discretion and have the 3^rd arriving engine perform a different task.

4. The RIT shall consist of at least 4 personnel. One of which should be an officer if possible. RIT is not limited to a specific type of apparatus such as engine or truck although it is vital that the RIT have access to all equipment necessary to act as RIT. The officer shall remain in constant contact with the IC, as necessary.

5. When establishing a RIT all effort shall be made to have the highest trained personnel in RIT and firefighting skills. Lower trained personnel can be used as needed. The IC can use personnel from multiple units to establish the RIT at their discretion.

6. A countywide RIT training program will be in place to initially train personnel, train new personnel, and to provide refresher training. This is to include In-house training opportunities as well. All personnel are encouraged to attend any training provided.

7. All crewmembers will assume a ready state, including full protective clothing and SCBA (face pieces off).

8. All companies shall make every effort to have a complete spare SCBA or RIT pack available on apparatus at emergency scenes for the RIT to utilize. This is the result of the multiple types of SCBA’s in the county and incompatibility. All equipment possibly needed shall be gathered by the RIT and be designated solely to them.

9. The RIT officer will always closely monitor the assigned tactical radio channel . The team must be able to react immediately to a sudden emergency event at the incident scene.

10. The RIT should be reserved for immediate life-threatening situations, such as fire fighter lost, trapped, injured or other critical situations. The RIT could also be assigned to a special situation, if needed.

11. The RIT shall not engage in physically demanding operations while standing by as RIT unless necessary. Examples include removing bars from windows, placing escape ladders, etc.

12. If the Rapid Intervention Team is activated on an emergency scene then a 2^nd RIT must be established immediately.

13. Large-scale incidents may require the use of multiple RIT’s such as large multi-story

buildings. These teams can be placed at different points of entry if needed.

14. The RIT function shall be terminated only when the IC determines that personnel are no longer in danger of hazards that would be immediately dangerous to life and/or health.

15. The MAYDAY policy shall be utilized and recognized as a countywide standard for

personnel use.

Rescue:

1. When searching for lost or trapped firefighters, the following should be considered.

1. Knowledge of their LUNAR: Location, Unit, Name, Assignment, Resources needed

2. Tracking attack hose lines into the area the firefighter/s were known to be.

3. Evidence of building structures or locations that were last described by lost or trapped firefighters.

4. Listening for the sound of PASS device audible alerts.

5. Listening for the sounds of SCBA bells.

6. Sounds of shouts for help, tapping sounds, sounds of breathing, etc.

7. Sounds of portable radio broadcast audible in the search area.

8. Flashlight beams.

2. Additional RIT members should be maintained outside the entry points to relieve initial crews as SCBA’s go empty. These standby rescue members may also be required to quickly enter and assist with removal of lost fire fighters once they are located.

3. When RIT members are performing special operations, the highest available level of emergency medical care should be standing by at the scene with medical equipment and transportation capabilities. Basic Life Support shall be the minimum level of emergency medical care.

Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief James L. Price, Sr.

Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Jeffery H. Thompson

Community Volunteer Fire Company of Millington, Inc.

Chief Jesse Downey, Sr.

Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Christopher A. Powell

Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

Chief Mark Dixon

Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, Inc.

Chief Allan Schauber

Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Chief Kenneth Smith

Kent County Emergency Service Board

Chair Charlene Perry

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