During actual fireground rapid intervention operations, multiple RITs are needed. Any time a RIT is deployed, additional RITs must be established for their relief and safety. Rapid intervention operations take two or more teams to actually remove a downed firefighter. If everything falls into place, the first RIT may locate, package, and remove the downed firefighter. More likely, however, is that the first team will work to locate the firefighter and secure his air supply, while additional teams will work to extricate him.

RIT ASSIGNMENTS
There are many individual tasks that members of the RIT must perform. Remember this: If you do not have a RIT immediately ready to deploy, you don’t have a RIT — you have a team doing support functions. RIT tasks can be broken down into proactive tasks before and while responding to a Mayday. Although it would be great to assign all of these tasks ahead of time, it is not realistic. Some of the proactive fireground tasks are found at every incident (size-up, 360° survey of structure, tool staging, etc.), but many are dependent on the fireground and structure (laddering, forcible entry/egress challenges, etc.). It would be impossible to preassign all of these tasks, but you can train all members to perform each task and then assign them based on the incident.

The tasks performed when responding to a Mayday (once the RIT is activated on the fireground) are much more specific. Assign these tasks at the start of the shift. RIT members should be proficient at performing all of these tasks, as well.

RIT POSITIONS
Preassigned positions and assignments are critical to the success of any fireground team, and the RIT is no exception. Although it doesn’t matter what you call the actual positions — competency is what’s really important — a name that reflects the basic function helps make things easier to remember. The positions that must be in place when a RIT deploys to a Mayday are:

• RIT officer
• Navigation/Air Supply firefighter
• Search firefighter(s)

Once the victim is located, the Navigation and Search firefighters assume the role of packaging and removal, directed by the RIT Officer. The RIT members must always maintain voice contact during interior operations.

The RIT Officer
The RIT’s most important position is the RIT Officer. RIT leadership prior to and during an actual fireground emergency is crucial to the RIT’s overall success. The RIT Officer must be proactive regarding RIT operations at the start of the shift by making individual assignments, in the event the company is dispatched as the RIT.
The RIT Officer must have a strong presence on the fireground. Discipline is a must during all fireground operations — especially RIT operations — and the RIT Officer must practice it and demand it from all team members.

When preparing the fireground and performing proactive tasks, the RIT Officer must ensure that the team is ready to deploy immediately, that RIT members are performing all of the needed tasks, and that Command is kept informed of the current situation. Knowing and anticipating current and future fireground conditions (initial and ongoing size-up of the fire, the building, and the companies) are essential to the RIT Officer’s duties.

If the RIT is deployed to locate and assist a firefighter, the RIT Officer must coordinate and direct the RIT’s interior actions. Before entry, the RIT Officer must ensure that the needed equipment is assembled, that a RIT tag line is secured outside the structure, that all members’ assignments are clear, and that the RIT has a plan.

When entering to rescue a firefighter, the RIT Officer must have a plan and make sure that all team members understand it. It’s too late to create a plan once the Mayday is declared and the team has been deployed!

If available, the RIT Officer should have a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to assist with navigation, movement, and possible location of the firefighter(s). The TIC should increase speed and efficiency during the operation, but it should never be relied on 100 percent. You will still need all of your fireground senses to search for and locate the firefighter, as well as keep track of your way out of the structure.

In addition, the Officer must also ensure that the Navigation/Air Supply firefighter has secured the tag line to the outside and is ready to deploy it during the operation. The tag line is critical for two reasons. First, the tag line provides a direct exit out of the structure; second, it provides a direct avenue to the RIT/victim for additional RITs. Since it’s unlikely that one team will be able to accomplish the entire process of location and removal of the firefighter, the tag line is vital to the success of the overall operation.

The RIT Officer must coordinate and direct the actual search for the missing firefighter(s), conducted by the RIT members assigned the Search position. Ideally, two search firefighters (with a four-person team) perform the actual search. The RIT Officer should direct these firefighters based on information gathered from the TIC, the surroundings, any radio reports, and prior fireground experience.

When the victim is found, the RIT Officer must take control of the tag line from the Navigation/Air Supply firefighter and securely tie it off near the victim’s location (but never to the actual victim). At this point, the RIT Officer maintains contact with the tag line and guides the other members out during the removal.

The RIT Officer is also responsible for communicating information to Command or the Rescue Sector during the deployment. Where is the RIT? What are the conditions? What problems are being encountered? What additional resources are needed? What is the team’s air supply status? All of this information, and more, must be communicated while conducting the interior operation.

The RIT Officer should be the most experienced member of the team. Many critical tasks must be performed, simultaneously, for a mission’s success — missing any one of the tasks may cause the mission to fail.

NAVIGATION/AIR SUPPLY
The second RIT position involves navigation and air supply. The Navigation/Air Supply firefighter deploys the tag line after securing it to the outside prior to entry. During the search this team member deploys and manages the tag line (to keep the shortest, straightest route from the outside to the RIT).

In addition, this member brings in the emergency air supply (additional SCBA or RIT pack) and secures the downed firefighter’s air supply when he is located (with aid from a search firefighter). Securing the air may be as simple as swapping a regulator or as complicated as removing and replacing an entire SCBA face piece. Depending on the difficulty, additional help may be needed. Practice finding a comfortable and secure means of transporting the emergency air supply while deploying and managing the RIT tag line ahead of time. Although it’s not a complicated set of tasks, each is vital to the success of the RIT.

Once the firefighter is located, the RIT Officer takes control of the tag line from the Navigation/Air Supply firefighter and the Navigation/Air Supply firefighter moves up and secures the air supply to the downed firefighter.

If the first RIT cannot locate the firefighter, the RIT Officer and Navigation/Air Supply firefighter secure the tag line together at the current location before exiting. Ideally, a second or additional RIT will arrive before the first team leaves. This requires proactive actions on the part of the RIT Officer and Command and/or the Rescue Sector.

Although the emergency air supply is intended for the downed firefighter, it may also be used by the RIT. If RIT members run low on air or get into trouble, the emergency air supply can be used when exiting the building. For this reason, each incoming RIT should bring their own emergency air supply. If it’s not used during the rescue, bring it out for the same reason.

SEARCH FIREFIGHTERS
Along with the RIT Officer and the Navigation/Air Supply firefighter, the RIT should assign members for the actual search. Remember: Before the RIT can help the downed firefighter, they must find him! All too often RIT members are so overloaded with tools and assignments before entry that the actual search effort is all but forgotten. Search firefighters should carry a halligan and flat-head axe between them for possible forcible entry or exit. A four-person RIT allows for two members to be assigned to search. A Search firefighter’s main function is to SEARCH! They follow the RIT Officer’s direction and aggressively search for the missing firefighter(s), using any and all means. RIT members should always stay in voice contact with each other. Aggressive searching requires awareness of your location — that’s why voice contact and the RIT tag line play such an important part of the operation.

A breakdown in discipline at this stage of the operation will only prolong the search and potentially cause the mission to fail. During a firefighter search, follow the RIT Officer’s lead.

PACKAGING AND REMOVAL
Once the firefighter(s) is located, several tasks must be performed simultaneously. Although these tasks should be assigned at the start of the shift, the RIT Officer must ensure that all tasks are accounted for by confirming the assignments once the firefighter(s) has been located.

RIT Officer
The RIT Officer must notify Command or the Rescue Sector that the firefighter(s) has been located and that assessment and packaging are underway (benchmark). He must also take control of the tag line from the Navigation/Air Supply firefighter and secure it somewhere near the victim’s location. The RIT Officer must maintain contact with the tag line for the duration of the interior operation.

The RIT Officer should also confirm that the RIT members are performing their packaging and removal assignments. Additionally, he must quickly evaluate and give an update on the interior fire conditions, the building, the downed firefighter(s), and the RIT members (including air supply). An additional RIT should also be requested—or deployed automatically per the standard operating procedure (SOP)— to assist with the rescue. Finally, the RIT Officer needs to review and communicate the rescue/removal plan, as well as have a backup plan— or two—ready, to all RIT members and Command or the Rescue Sector.

The search firefighter that finds the victim
This firefighter must immediately inform all members that he has found the victim. Before getting involved with any other tasks, the firefighter must confirm that the other team members are moving to his location. The next step is to reset the victims PASS device and check the immediate condition of the victim (breathing, entanglement, etc.). The Search firefighter should then convert the victim’s SCBA waist strap to an improvised drag harness by loosening the waist strap, disconnecting it, and reconnecting it between the legs (crotch) of the downed firefighter. This action is of great benefit during the removal process; it helps keep the SCBA on the downed firefighter and can be used to drag the victim.

Second search firefighter
After converging on the victim’s location, the second Search firefighter performs a quick sweep around the immediate area looking for an alternate exit (door or window). This simple sweep may prevent the time-consuming removal of the victim along the original route of the tag line. If an exit is found, he moves back to the RIT Officer and extends the tag line from the tie off location to the new exit location and secures it there. This provides a direct route to the secondary exit and for additional RITs to provide assistance.

Navigation/air supply firefighter
Once the tag line is passed off to the RIT Officer, the Navigation/Air Supply firefighter moves to the victim’s location, secures the air supply, and attaches the RIT air pack to the victim.
It’s very important to note that the above packaging and removal steps all occur simultaneously and rapidly. There isn’t a lot of time to stop and think — this is where prior training really pays off.

The RIT Officer must maintain control and order as the rescue proceeds. The removal portion of the rescue effort is intense and physically exhausting. The RIT Officer should rotate RIT members through the various rescue positions to avoid exhaustion.

There may be additional tasks that must be performed as part of the interior RIT operation, but the above tasks are an integral part of all RIT training and preparation.

What Could Go Wrong?
Who knows! It’s really not about what could go wrong as much as it’s about what you’re prepared to do about it. What do you carry, on a regular basis, that you consider survival gear that will help you survive? Are you proficient at using the survival gear?

A Partial Listing…
Everyone carries different things – and sharing that information with others is the only way to expand on the possibilities. Take a minute to review the gear that you carry and that the members in your crew carry. Next, take a minute to think of what could go wrong inside a structure and how prepared you are to deal with the situation.

Radio
Every firefighter on the fireground should have a radio – but that’s not a reality. At the very least, every crew should be radio-equipped. If there are only enough radios for each crew then it’s essential that the crew develop a system of maintaining communication while inside. Constant checks with crew members will keep confusion down and maintain accountability. In the event that you or your crew develop a problem it can be relayed to Command.

Wire Cutters
Remember the commercial, priceless? That’s the value of a pair of wire cutters when you need them. Think about all of the potential entanglements that exist on the fireground — there are wires and cables everywhere. Now, think about what would happen if you became entangled and didn’t have a pair or wire cutters. Enough said! Buy a pair and make sure you have them when you need them. Practice using them under realistic conditions.

Flashlight
A little light can go a long way – even if it’s just to calm things down. Battery maintenance, either by keeping some on hand or maintaining a constant charge on rechargeable batteries, is a big issue. How many times have you tried to use a flashlight only to see the dim light go out? Another thought – if you are in a MAYDAY situation and awaiting help – leave your flashlight on and pointing away from you. This light may be something that allows you to be found.

Hand Tool (Axe, Halligan)
They’re too heavy. They’re for the truck guys. We only need one per crew. What’s your personalized excuse? Hand tools can provide a way out! Maybe it’s a personal choice when you enter a structure but it’s your choice. Have you ever breached a wall to retreat from a life-threatening condition? With your hands and feet? Maybe with drywall but what about paneling or plywood? Consider taking a hand tool with you anytime you’re inside a structure. The locked door you encounter may be your only way out and with heat keeping you close to the floor a tool may be your only option.

Search Rope
Disorientation has been known to kill firefighters. When performing search operations it’s not always possible to stay on the wall. The size of the room dictates the type of search that will be effective. When working as part of a search team a search rope can increase your efficiency and effectiveness. Again, training is critical to gaining and maintaining that efficiency.

Webbing / Sling
Webbing can be used for any number of things. It is a great piece of equipment to assist in moving a downed firefighter. While the SCBA strap works well, the webbing can give you a little more room so that you’re not constantly fighting with the SCBA tank during the drag. The webbing can also be used to control a doorway, or maintain contact with a search partner during the search. It’s a versatile piece of equipment that doesn’t take up much space.

Don’t Forget Door Chocks
Pretty simple, but how many actually carry them? A hose line may prevent a door from shutting completely, or the door may cut off the water supply. One thing is for sure – if you don’t have a hose line the option doesn’t exist. Carry a few door chocks with you – make sure they’re large enough to get the job done.

Don’t forget about doors that automatically lock behind you. If, for some reason, a door chock gets knocked out on these types of doors make sure you’ve used something to prevent the lock from locking. A piece of inner tube with door knob holes will prevent a lot of extra effort.

Take a few minutes to review your Survival Gear. Do you need to make a few adjustments? Are you proficient with the equipment you’re carrying? Are you carrying something else? Let us know and we’ll pass it along to others.

There’s only one way to improve your performance on the fireground — realistic fireground training! The FDTN Academy is as close to the real thing as it gets. Sign up today!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF3_ZQFmHFY

Fireground Command – NEW COURSE
April 15-17, 2012

Engine Company Operations I
April 12-14, 2012 / June 4-6, 2012 / August 27-29, 2012 / October 8-10, 2012

Truck Company Operations I
April 12-14, 2012 / June 4-6, 2012 / August 27-29, 2012 / October 8-10, 2012

Live Fire RIT Operations (Advanced RIT)
June 25-27, 2012

Engine Company Operations II
April 15-17, 2012 / October 8-10, 2012

Truck Company Operations II
April 15-17, 2012 / October 8-10, 2012

Fireground Company Officer
September 17-21, 2012

Rapid Intervention Teams
May 14-16, 2012 / October 29-31, 2012

Commanding RIT Operations
May 16, 2012 / October 31, 2012

Rapid Intervention Teams Train-the-Trainer
May 14-18, 2012 / October 29-November 2, 2012

When it comes to analyzing our skill level we all suffer from this Perception problem. We think we’re better than we really are. The problem with this attitude is that it affects our ability to become better. We resist training on the basics because we think our current skill level is over the top (then we come up with an excuse on the fireground!). Instead, we should train more on the basics—repetition is the key to successful performance, period!

Your worst critic should be yourself! How did you perform? What could you have done better? There’s always something you could have done better! Not different, just better. That’s the toughest thing for guys to realize. It’s not that you didn’t do a good job, BUT how could you have done it better? One less step, a quicker thought process, more awareness of your crew (of the other crews). Every time you perform you should critique your performance. You should also let others critique your performance.

The bottom line…the only one that can close the gap between perception and reality is YOU!

Next, figure out who will be participating in the training — is it the normal crew, is it new guys or guys not familiar with the material, is it a combination of the two? This is important because you’ll need to make sure there is something in it for everyone.

Lastly, before you ever get started, make sure the material has real value — something that they can (and probably will) use during a response. So many training sessions and training start-ups fail because they’re simply textbook-type training sessions that don’t give the guys something that they could actually use on the street.

Training Sessions from a Firefighters Perspective

If you want guys to participate and get involved in the session then make sure there’s something in it for everyone. Let’s face it, some guys may need this particular training session and some may not. For the ones that do need it then make sure the material is designed for them to “get” it. For those that don’t need it, or may simply benefit from a quick review, then make sure there’s something else for them to learn. Maybe they’ll learn they have a better grasp on the material than they thought. Maybe they’ll learn that they need to review it a bit more than they thought. Sometimes what they learn may not be about the actual material, maybe they’ll learn a little about teaching the material to others by helping with the students (which actually helps them develop a better grasp on the material).

Most of us learn by doing, not by listening to others tell us how to do it. Keep that in mind all the time. If you have to present new information then, at the very least, try and make it interactive by keeping it short and asking questions to get them involved. Put yourself in their shoes, you probably wouldn’t want to be there either so make sure you consider that when developing the material before you deliver it.

When we talk about passing things off, you really have to put together a core group of instructors that crosses the gamut of the people that you’re going to train. The instructors have to be very knowledgeable in what they’re doing to the point that they don’t even appear to be doing it. That’s the key to all of this right here. When you teach somebody, you have to get up in front, you have to pass it off, but you have to pass it off just like you’re talking to the guys. And that’s the key to it to make it successful.

In order to do that, you have to be well-versed in the skills yourself. You have to realize that there are multiple ways to get something done, and the successful way is actually the one that works for that individual. If you have a group of 20 standing in front of you, you may have to connect 20 individual times or 20 separate times for them to get the material that you’re trying to get across, and it’s your job as the person trying to pass it off to make that connection.

Spend a lot of time in the preparation mode. People don’t think that you have to do this, but you have to spend as much time preparing the session as you will delivering the session. That’s critical to success. Spend the time up front and plan for all of the problems. If you were taking the training, how would you criticize it? What would your complaints be? Address those as the person putting the package together.

Then, when you assemble your group, make sure that your group is able to hand that off and has your same philosophies. When you get to the actual training time, split up the group evenly, make sure that you have enough instructors for people going through it, and simply let them learn. This is the key right here- this is the big secret. Set the training session up to the point that there’s no chance that they can’t learn something. It doesn’t really matter what it is at this point, because it will be something that they learn.

When you teach somebody, you have to show them, you have to let them try it, and then you have to let them build it into their instinct by doing it over and over again. Learning is really something that everybody wants to do, and everybody likes to do. It’s simply a matter of taking the time to make the session a learning session – too many people fail to do that.

It’s All About Learning!

If you reach into your pocket and pull out a $5 bill then you’ll be probably be happy because you had it in your pocket. If you were walking around the corner and found a $5 bill on the ground you’d probably be much happier…because it was something you found and you never expected to find it. Make your training session like finding a $5 bill. Make your training session a place where everybody who comes can actually learn something for them and they will come back and participate again with renewed energy.

DISCLAIMER:

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Company drills should be a part of the daily activities on every fire department – including all stations and all workgroups – but they’re not!

For whatever reason, and there’s a bunch, company training doesn’t happen as often as it should. More importantly, when it does happen the main objective is to get it over with as quick as possible. The objective should be to learn, or refresh, the material being covered.

Training isn’t punishment. Unfortunately, most of the time company training is conducted as a reaction to a bad experience – not to learn from the experience but to point out how the company messed up.

It’s kind of funny that every firefighter in every department uses the same descriptive term to describe the first few minutes of every major incident. What’s even more amusing is that most of the incidents aren’t major they’re just small incidents that seem big because they don’t happen that often. Here’s a simple solution – do more training so that things go smoother when the next incident occurs!

Recharging Company Training

We’re all in it together! Sure, the company officer is ultimately responsible for the way the company performs but it can’t be done alone. Every member of the company has a stake in how the company operates and should have an equal share of how the company trains.

A simple and effective company training program begins with a daily training session conducted by a member of the company. It’s simple, develop a rotation based on the number of people in the company, on-duty, or however else the department divides the personnel up, and make them responsible for conducting a training session on their assigned day. To ensure success, don’t allow any excuses when it’s their turn to provide the training!

The bottom line is that every firefighter should be proficient at performing the basic skills that just might have to be performed during an actual response. That proficiency requires knowledge of how to perform the skills, the physical ability to perform the skills, and the ability to communicate to others what skills may need to be performed. With that said, every member of the crew is capable of conducting company level training.

Company drills are simply a proactive approach to training and improving fireground performance. Here are a few points to consider when developing a company training program.

Drill Topics…

They’re endless. As a brief review, company drill topics should be based on the following four areas: apparatus, equipment, skills, and responses. They should also include both basic and advanced material.

In addition, company drills should reflect what’s needed by the company to increase proficiency. The best way to determine these topics is to critique each incident when you get back to the station. Look at what went right and what went wrong, or what could have gone better, and incorporate those things into upcoming drills.

Objectives

Set the objective and keep it simple. For the most part, company drills should focus on maintaining day-to-day proficiency of the skills needed to get the job done. Every now and then new material will have to be introduced but for the most part the company drills should focus on review and refinement of skills. If it’s new material then make sure to set aside enough time to learn it. It may take more than one session so plan ahead.

During the company drill make sure to allow enough time for everyone to get involved. In fact, require that everyone get involved. The only way to review it is to do it – company drills should be interactive!

Delivery

Every individual will have their own delivery style but a few parameters should be set up. During each training session the trainer should give a short overview of the session and review of the basic material.

Keep it simple and keep it short. The whole idea is to get everyone involved – don’t force your way of thinking on them just force them to think!

Do something! Require each session to have a hands-on, or interactive, portion. If it’s a drill on size up then drive around the district and have everyone give a size-up of a building. If it’s on ground ladders then make everyone raise and carry ladders. Advancing hoselines doesn’t take an actual fire, pull out the apparatus and work on keeping the mess to a minimum when flaking the line. The point is to require everyone to perform the skills!

Critique the session! When it’s over review what you did. Have a short wrap-up session after everything is put away. Require everyone in the company to bring up a different point about the material and discuss it.

Length

Keep it short but allow enough time to cover the material. If the material is going to take a long time to cover then break it up into a few shorter sessions. Set a time limit of between 30 to 60 minutes.

Don’t drag it out. Present the material, perform the hands-on, clean up, perform a critique and get on with the rest of the day!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKU3ZGE-3BU

Here’s a few simple ways to change your mindset and, through performance, the mindset of your students.

• Prepare for each session as if you were learning the material.
• Put yourself in the student’s position.
• Challenge yourself, don’t take the easy or lazy approach
• Challenge the student, you’ll lose them before you start if you don’t
• Keep everyone involved
• If they need to know the material, make sure you tell them why. Not because you say so but because it makes a difference in their job. It’s up to you to make them believe in reasons why.
• Be able to explain WHY. Someone will ask. Be prepared to handle the question! If you’re not then you shouldn’t be teaching the material.
• Don’t teach outside your knowledge, it’s sure to bring the entire session to the ground, fast!