Tac #18: RIT

Scope and Purpose

• Standard Operational Procedure: Baltimore County Fire Department S.O.P. #: TACTICAL OPERATIONS #18.

• Subject: RAPID INTERVENTION TEAM.

• Division: EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.

• Priority: The Baltimore County Fire Department puts the utmost priority on the safe and effective mitigation of all emergency incidents, including the safe return of all members following a response.

• Purpose: To establish command and operational procedures to provide a means to rapidly assist Fire Service Personnel who may become lost, trapped, or in need of immediate medical assistance while operating at emergency incidents.

• Applicability: This SOP applies to all incidents requiring Fire Service Personnel to enter and function in an environment that is Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH).

Definitions

• MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY: The radio term used to notify the Incident Commander (IC) that Fire Service Personnel are lost, trapped, or in need of immediate assistance where life-threatening conditions may exist. This is referred to in the text as a ‘MAYDAY’.

• LUNAR: An acronym used to remember the necessary information to relay to the Incident Commander when reporting a MAYDAY:

  • Location.

  • Unit number.

  • Name.

  • Assignment.

  • Resources needed for rescue.

• Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH): Any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life or that would cause irreversible adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a dangerous atmosphere (NIOSH/29 CFR* 1910.120).

• Rapid Intervention Team (RIT): A company consisting of at least $4$ entry-level (white tag) Fire Service Personnel established, equipped, identified, and solely committed to locating and rescuing lost or trapped firefighter(s).

• Rapid Intervention Task Force (RITF): Consists of the next due Engine Company, Truck or Rescue Company, and an Advanced Life Support (ALS) Medic Unit. If assigned companies do not have a minimum of $4$ entry-level personnel, the IC must be notified as soon as practical for strategic planning.

• 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 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 (SCBA) assemblies that indicates motionless or distressed personnel via an audible tone.

• 2-In/2-Out: A federally-mandated procedure where initial crews operate in a buddy system. A minimum of $2$ entry personnel (white tag), equally trained and equipped, are dedicated as a standby team specifically for the rescue or assistance of the initial entry team (minimum of $2$ white tag entry personnel). (Reference Tactical SOP #6).

Command Procedures

• Assignment Responsibility: The IC must ensure a crew is assigned the sole responsibility of RIT. This crew must consist of a minimum of $4$ entry personnel (white tag).

• Designation: The Fourth Engine to arrive on the scene will be assigned/designated as the RIT. The IC may assign earlier or additional companies based on conditions and staffing levels.

• Operational Integrity: RIT teams will not be reassigned to non-critical functions until relieved by adequate replacements. Establishing a RIT within the first alarm relieves the initial ‘2 out’ requirements of the ‘2-in/2-out’ policy.

• Action Planning: The IC and/or the RIT Group Officer will develop a RIT Action Plan. The IC will redirect the incident to fulfill the priorities of this plan.

• Radio Control: All radio traffic must be strictly monitored and controlled by the IC.

• Deployment: The IC will deploy the RIT to the last or best known location of the lost/trapped firefighter(s).

• Replacements: The IC must assign replacement RIT(s) and ensure a RIT Task Force is en route.

• Staging: The IC/RIT Group Officer will ensure a separate RIT apparatus staging area is established. All companies assigned to RIT must report to this area and should not be sent to Level 2 Staging Areas.

• IMS Expansion: The IC will appropriately expand the Incident Management System (IMS) organization.

Rapid Intervention Task Force (RITF)

• Composition: Includes the next due Engine Company, Truck or Rescue Company, and an ALS Medic Unit. This is in addition to the first or greater alarm assignment and the second alarm (if called prior to the ‘working fire’ upgrade).

• Staffing Verification: If the assigned Engine/Truck does not have $4$ entry personnel, the IC must be notified immediately.

• Initial RITF: The Engine, Truck/Rescue, and ALS Medic Unit from the Working Fire Dispatch are considered the Initial RITF.

• Discretionary Dispatch: The IC can request a RITF based on judgment of incident conditions. Proactive assessment of MAYDAY potential is required.

• Automatic Dispatch triggers:

  • Mayday declaration (if not already on the assignment).

  • Second Alarm assignment (if not already on the assignment via ‘working fire’). The RITF will be identified and dispatched first, followed by the additional alarm.

• Integration: The RITF will be assigned to the RIT Group to enhance rescue capabilities.

Rapid Intervention Group Officer Responsibilities

• Identification: Identified as ‘RIT Group’. The company officer of the initial RIT assumes this role until a separate officer is designated by the IC.

• Coordination:

  • Confer with IC and Initial RIT for situation status.

  • Work with on-scene Safety Officer(s) to assess life-threats and scene hazards.

  • Evaluate access and egress points dynamically.

  • Safety Officer will advise the IC on RIT deployment coverage.

• RIT Entry Control: Establish as soon as possible/practical.

• Action Plan Development: Includes search parameters for lost/trapped firefighters using:

  • LUNAR information.

  • Radio monitoring for trapped personnel.

  • Listening for PASS unit activation.

  • Information from other operating units.

  • Thermal Imaging equipment.

  • Physical search.

  • MSA A2 Accountability Information (crew and pack ID).

• Objective Based Deployment: Assign companies to specific tasks:

  • Locate and Maintain.

  • Extrication.

  • Resources.

• Hazard Mitigation: Initiate placement of protective hoselines and establish ventilation in areas where personnel may be trapped.

• Resource Management: Identify support needs and request additional resources (e.g., Collapse Teams, ATR, Haz-Mat) from the IC.

• Personnel Management: Assess need for relief crews and stage them outside the Tool Staging area.

RIT Operational Procedures

• 2-In/2-Out Transition: Establishment of a full $4$ person RIT relieves initial ‘2 out’ requirements.

• Establishment Basis: RIT establishment is based on entry into an IDLH or potential IDLH atmosphere.

• Radio Designation: The group is called ‘RIT Group’, though individual companies maintain their identity (e.g., ‘E-6 to RIT Group’).

• Planning Requirements:

  • Conduct structural size-up using pre-plans (See Appendix A).

  • Confirm location of all units in the IDLH environment.

  • Determine access and egress points: ground ladder placement, exit illumination, forced entry points.

  • Plan protective hose-line acquisition and deployment.

  • Establish Tool Staging Area (See Appendix C).

  • Develop RIT Action Plan (See Appendix D).

  • Monitor all fire ground radio traffic.

  • Assign crew deployment responsibilities.

• Deployment Focus:

  • Search, recon, and locate firefighters.

  • Evaluate/provide air supply and emergency care.

  • Remove personnel if possible.

  • Communicate resource needs to IC/RIT Group Officer.

Downed Firefighter Location and Assessment Procedures

• Initial Assessment: Locate and determine if rescue is possible or if they must protect in place.

• Immediate Actions:

  1. Deactivate the PASS device.

  2. Attach a lifeline to the located firefighter(s).

  3. Notify IC/RIT Group Officer of location and status of all personnel.

• Air Supply (Priority #1): Assess remaining air and select an option:

  • Guide them out if possible.

  • Secure to spare SCBA and exit.

  • Exit using the RIT BAG.

  • Exit using MSA ExtendAire II (buddy-breathe).

  • Use Confined Space Air Cart.

• Entrapment Check: Sweep the perimeter of bodies for entanglement and select an option:

  • Disentangle (caution with electrical wires).

  • Remove entrapment.

  • Protect in place and advise IC/RIT Group Officer of resource needs.

• Rescue Support:

  • Deploy a search line directly to the location for crew exchange.

  • Manage or remove the lifeline during the removal process.

  • If using hoselines for protection, use caution regarding water weight and runoff. Sump pumps may be required to control flooding.

Tool Staging Area

• Establishment: Established for all RIT operations by the initial RIT.

• Positioning: Located for quickest access to forecasted problem areas identified during size-up.

• Scaling: Increased as the operation escalates.

• Geographical Split: If multiple RITs are established geographically, each needs its own staging area.

• Identification: Designated by an orange RIT tarp. Tools on the tarp are for RIT use only.

Appendix A: RIT Size-Up Check List

• Incident Information:

  • Time of dispatch.

  • Arrival time of 1st Crew/s.

  • Estimated time of crew Entry.

  • Fire Conditions Upon Entry.

• Building Information:

  • Occupancy type.

  • Building size: (L) x (W) x (H).

  • Building Construction.

  • Utilities Controlled? (YES / NO).

  • Specific Concerns.

• Crew Tracking (1st Engine through 4th Engine, 1st Truck, 2nd Truck):

  • Unit #.

  • Assignment.

  • Location.

  • Status (INT/EXT).

• Strategic Tasks:

  • Check status of Means of Egress for all crews.

  • Confer with IC on priorities and tactics.

  • Set up Tool Staging Area.

  • Monitor talkgroups and track best known whereabouts.

• Deployment Roles:

  • Tool FF.

  • RIT Bag FF.

  • Rope Bag FF.

  • T.I.C. FF/Officer.

Appendix B: RIT Bag Inventory

• $1$ MSA RIT Bag.

• $1$ MSA SCBA Frame.

• $1$ MSA SCBA hose with multiple connectors.

• $1$ Medium Facepiece.

• $1$ MMR Pigtail.

• $2$ Green Strobe lights.

• $1$ Bright Orange RIT tarp.

• $4$ Carabiners.

• $4$ Rescue Straps ($20’$ Tubular Webbing Sling).

• $1$ Sling-Link (MAST) Rescue Strap.

• $2$ Single Pulleys.

• $5$ Lime Green Light sticks.

• $1$ pair Linesman Pliers (Spring loaded).

• $1$ Stopwatch.

• Laminated Checklists: Size-up, Tool Staging Area, RIT Bag Inventory, RIT Action Plan, RIT Entry Control Worksheet.

Appendix C: Tool Staging Area Check List

• Reconnaissance Tools (Needed Immediately):

  • $1$ Bright Orange RIT tarp.

  • $1$ RIT BAG.

  • $1$ Thermal imaging camera (TIC).

  • $1$ Master search rope.

  • $4$ Personal search ropes.

  • $2$ Axes.

  • $2$ Halligan Tools.

  • $2$ Handlights.

  • Access to a hoseline.

• Rescue Tools (Needed as effort escalates):

  • More hand-tools.

  • Stokes Basket.

  • Chainsaws.

  • Circular saws (gas/electric).

  • Hydraulic/Pneumatic rescue tools.

  • Port-o-powers.

  • Confined space Air-Carts.

  • Other ATR equipment.

Appendix D: RIT Action Plan

• Complete RIT Size-up Check-list (update at each officer transfer).

• Ensure Tool Staging Area progression.

• Request resources: back-up hoselines, ventilation.

• Monitor Fire-ground Radio Traffic.

• Monitor Egress points: forcible entry requirements, ladders, illumination.

• Initiate RIT Entry Control Worksheet as soon as possible.

• Establish Primary and Secondary Plan of Attack based on size-up priorities.

Appendix E: RIT Entry Control Worksheet

• Fields tracked per Unit Name/Number:

  • Air Pressure (PSI).

  • Time In.

  • $10$ MIN IN (PSI).

  • $20$ MIN IN (PSI) - Shaded area indicates to consider withdrawal after this point.

  • $30$ MIN IN (PSI).

  • Time Out (PSI).", "title": "Baltimore County Fire Department SOP 18: Rapid Intervention Team Detailed Study Guide"}