Baltimore County Fire Department S.O.P. #18: Rapid Intervention Team

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, acronyms, and operational terminology for Rapid Intervention Teams as defined by Baltimore County Fire Department Tactical Operations S.O.P. #18.

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY

The radio term used to notify the Incident Commander that Fire Service Personnel are lost, trapped, or in need of immediate assistance, where life-threatening conditions may exist.

LUNAR

The acronym used to remember the necessary information to relay to the Incident Commander during a MAYDAY: Location, Unit number, Name, Assignment, and Resources needed for rescue.

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)

Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a dangerous atmosphere according to $29\text{ CFR* } 1910.120$.

Rapid intervention Team (RIT)

A company of at least $4$ entry level (white tag) Fire Service Personnel established, equipped, identified, and solely committed to the locating and rescuing of lost or trapped firefighters.

Rapid Intervention Task Force (RITF)

A group consisting of the next due: Engine Company, Truck or Rescue Company, and an Advanced Life Support Medic Unit.

Incident Commander (IC)

The individual responsible for overseeing and coordinating the incident operation.

Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)

A report given by a company officer or member indicating whether or not they have visual contact with the remaining members of their crew.

Personnel Alert Safety System (PASS)

An alerting system common to Self Contained Breathing Apparatus assemblies that uses an audible tone to indicate a motionless or distressed Fire Service Personnel.

$2$-In/$2$-Out

A federally-mandated procedure where initial crews operate in a buddy system with a minimum of $2$ entry personnel (white tag) and a dedicated standby team of at least $2$ white tag personnel for rescue.

White tag

A designation for entry level Fire Service Personnel.

RIT Group

The radio designation of the Rapid Intervention Team once it has been established.

Fourth Engine

The specific engine company designated to be assigned as the RIT upon arrival on the scene of an incident.

Objective Based Deployment tasks

Specific assignments for RIT companies categorized as: Locate and maintain, Extrication, and Resources.

MSA ExtendAire II

Equipment used for buddy-breathing as an air supply option when performing a rescue of a downed firefighter.

Orange RIT tarp

The specific item used to designate the Tool Staging Area for all RIT Operations.

MSA A2 Accountability Information

Data pertaining to crew and pack identification used by the RIT Group Officer to develop a search plan.

RIT Entry Control Worksheet

A document used to track the air pressure and time of RIT members at intervals of $10$, $20$, and $30\text{ minutes}$, with withdrawal considered after $20\text{ minutes}$.