PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

At the completion of this At the completion of this program, the firefighter will program, the firefighter will

be able to:be able to:

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Explain why fire companies get Explain why fire companies get trapped and die in burning trapped and die in burning

structuresstructures

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Recognize problems associated Recognize problems associated with firefighter deaths, and with firefighter deaths, and offer actions to be taken to offer actions to be taken to

minimize these risksminimize these risks

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Define acronyms associated Define acronyms associated with firefighter search and with firefighter search and rescue teams around the rescue teams around the

countrycountry

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

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

rescue proceduresrescue procedures

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Recognize conditions which can Recognize conditions which can activate a R.I.C. Teamactivate a R.I.C. Team

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

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

DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS• 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 !Immediately available !

A fresh team of skilled A fresh team of skilled personnel. personnel.

Having gathered vital Having gathered vital information for ascertaining information for ascertaining rescues.rescues.

Also having rescue tools Also having rescue tools available.available.

Readily identifiable.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 There are no available statistics showing the number of showing the number of Firefighter deaths due to being Firefighter deaths due to being trapped or lost.trapped or lost.

• NFPA & OSHA believe having a NFPA & OSHA believe having a R.I.C. Team in place will R.I.C. Team in place will minimize the risk to F.F. minimize the risk to F.F. involved in structure fires.involved in structure fires.

R.I.C. TeamPROBLEMS & ACTIONS

• PROBLEM

• POOR VISIBILITY

• ACTION

• VENTILATE + LIGHT

R.I.C. TeamPROBLEMS & ACTIONS

• PROBLEM

• HIGH HEAT

• ACTION

• VENTILATE & STAY LOW

R.I.C. TeamPROBLEMS & ACTIONS

• PROBLEM

• MANY FLOORS

• ACTION

• LAST SEEN ON FLOOR BELOW

R.I.C. TeamPROBLEMS & ACTIONS

• PROBLEM

• LARGE AREA

• ACTION

• SUBDIVIDE FLOOR FOR SEARCH

R.I.C. TeamPROBLEMS & ACTIONS

• PROBLEM

• TIME

• ACTION

• TIME FOR RIC MUST BE MONITORED

WHEN TO ESTABLISHA 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. TEAMMAKE UP….

• 11. A Company of 3 to 4 trained . A Company of 3 to 4 trained personnelpersonnel

• 2. Full Turn Out Gear and S.C.B.A.2. Full Turn Out Gear and S.C.B.A.

• 3. Some Tools in Hand-3. Some Tools in Hand-– a. Axe or Rubbish Hooka. Axe or Rubbish Hook– b. Radiob. Radio– c. Pry Barc. Pry Bar– d. Chain Saw, K-12, etc.d. Chain Saw, K-12, etc.

Reporting to I.C.Reporting to I.C.

•R.I.C. team report directly R.I.C. team report directly to I. C. to I. C.

•I.C. Briefs R.I.C. Team I.C. Briefs R.I.C. Team members.members.

GATHERING INFORMATION WHILE STANDING BY

Each member’s 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 Taken-Lost/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

RIC TEAMPRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY

• BE PREPAREDBE PREPARED• Fully BunkeredFully Bunkered• Have Equipment ReadyHave Equipment Ready• Study Building LayoutStudy Building Layout• Be Familiar with Companies placement and Be Familiar with Companies placement and

assignmentassignment• Converse with I.C.Converse with I.C.• Have a PlanHave a Plan• Use All Resources AvailableUse 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 Chief’s Vehicle