What tools do you stage for RIC?

[fyrmnk]

Didn't want to hijack the Mayday alarm level thread, so thought I'd start one seeing what you/your company typically does if you're assigned to RIC (or whatever your term is for rapid intervention). For us, a lot of it is company decided, although we do have some general guidelines. Any of our companies may be assigned RIC. Below is what I typically do with my crew if we're assigned:

- Walk around to view all exits, building layout/construction, hazards, etc.
- Throw at least a couple ladders to upper level windows and broadcast where they are positioned
- Remove any window coverings if installed on exterior that may hinder exit
- Monitor radio traffic for where crews are operating
- Assemble tools we standby with at an area close to the fire building including the following:
**RIC pack (extra SCBA(s) if none availaible)
**TIC
**Chain saw and quickie saw to make new exterior accesses as needed (i.e. turning a window into a door)
**Axes/handtools since saws won't work inside
**Backboard, straight ladder, attic ladder for distributing weight on a floor as needed as well as dropping down to a floor below if needed
**Rope
**Normal assigned hand tools/flashlights
**Other tools as situation/occupancy may dictate

We stage with our tool cache to select what we need for whatever the situation may be.

SIDE BAR ON OUR RIC PACKS:

We carry large 4500 psi SCBA bottle packed with air lines that consist of a rapid fill universal quick connect for our packs, connection for buddy breathing line for our packs, spare SCBA mask connected to a regulator (in case of a damaged mask, we're with a neighboring department that doesn't use our type of packs, or there are problems with the previous connection options), and a connection for an air line from on-scene cascade on our heavy rescue to the RIC pack if needed.

We carry our RIC packs on each BC vehicle, heavy rescue, one truck and my quint so there is generally always at least one on a scene.

I typically assign one of my guys to be responsible for the RIC pack and have him go through it there to be focused on it and make sure everything is in order as it should be, particularly if we end up with one off another rig.

We've also placed large pear shaped non-locking carabiners on our RIC packs so we can clip it to a down FF so it stays with him if we're dragging him out, or if he's partially through a floor and ends up falling on through, it goes with him.

How about you???

[BKDRAFT]

T- Thermal Imaging Camera
R- Rope
A- Air
I- Irons
L- Lights/Ladders
S- Saws

[indyair]

We carry the following for RIC:
stokes basket
chain saw
circular saw
thermal imaging camera & spare battery
2x search lines
2x rescue air packs
12ft foldable ladder
irons
sledge hammer
drywall hook
cylinder covers for each firefighter
tool bag (bolt cutters, tin snips, etc)
salvage cover
soft stretcher

Specialty kits:
Firefighter extraction pulley system
Firefighter high angle system
Columbus Kit (for below-grade extractions)

...all I can think of right now.

Every member of RIC also carries: webbing loop, 4 wedges, and 5 strobe lights to mark hazards

We use 4500 psi bottles rated at 60 minutes with a universal quick fill connector.

Also, every firefighter is issued an 8 foot webbing loop, 5 foot webbing strap, gut belt, and personal escape system.

[GTRider245]

T- Thermal Imaging Camera
R- Rope
A- Air
I- Irons
L- Lights/Ladders
S- Saws

I like this a lot.

[Acklan]

We carry the following for RIC:
stokes basket
chain saw
circular saw
thermal imaging camera & spare battery
2x search lines
2x rescue air packs
12ft foldable ladder
irons
sledge hammer
drywall hook
cylinder covers for each firefighter
tool bag (bolt cutters, tin snips, etc)
salvage cover
soft stretcher

Specialty kits:
Firefighter extraction pulley system
Firefighter high angle system
Columbus Kit (for below-grade extractions)

...all I can think of right now.

Every member of RIC also carries: webbing loop, 4 wedges, and 5 strobe lights to mark hazards

We use 4500 psi bottles rated at 60 minutes with a universal quick fill connector.

Also, every firefighter is issued an 8 foot webbing loop, 5 foot webbing strap, gut belt, and personal escape system.

How many fire fighters do your task to a RIT?

[Tnpipeman]

on our salvage cover just for rit we stage our RIT pack which includes 150' of rope set up for a 3:1, 45min rit pack, mast device, wire cutters, extra mask, in addition we stage a stokes, search rope, utility rope, extra lighting, tic, ladders, a set of irons and 2 hooks, sledge hammer, pry par, saw and any additional equipment depending on building type and location.

[Bones42]

How many fire fighters do your task to a RIT?

For us, it's a minimum of 8 for a SFD. We have sent as many as 16 at a commercial.

[LaFireEducator]

Residental RIT

Irons set
2 flashlights
3' Pike Pole
Bolt Cutters
Chainsaw
Recip Saw
TIC (if avaialble)
Backboard
1 SCBA
1 Bottle

Commercial RIT

Irons Set
2 Flashlights
200' Search Rope
200' Haul Rope
TIC
K-12
Recip Saw
Bolt Cutters
Sledgehammer
Backboard and Stokes
2 SCBA
2 Bottles


We just recieved a FireAct grant for new SCBA and a RIT pack. The RIT pack will be added to the list for both situations.

Residental standby RIT is initially a 2-man crew for search. We try to get a 4-man crew for initial standby for commercial ops but that is manpower-dependant.

[RFD21C]

we currently do not have a set policy on what tools the rit must grab.

usually we will grab the following. variations will depend on buildding construction and other factors.

Stokes basket
Irons
maul
pike axe
six ft hook
partner saw
vent saw
rope bag
rit pack
this tracker thing that really doesnt work but looks cool
search rope
of course all firefighters already have light radio and all that crap

ladders should already be up by the time the rit arrives on scene. they are thrown by the truck company

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

we currently do not have a set policy on what tools the rit must grab.

usually we will grab the following. variations will depend on buildding construction and other factors.

Stokes basket
Irons
maul
pike axe
six ft hook
partner saw
vent saw
rope bag
rit pack
this tracker thing that really doesnt work but looks cool
search rope
of course all firefighters already have light radio and all that crap

ladders should already be up by the time the rit arrives on scene. they are thrown by the truck company

We pretty much do as RFD21C's FD does. Each RIT situation is different, and the tools required can change from something as simple as a set of irons to pratically bringing the entire company's equipment in.

Don't forget that the more equipment you need, the more personnel you also need in order for it to work.

[RFD21C]

I am of the school of thought that prevention is the key. whilie the RIT is staged on a SFD fire. they should be doing a walk around of their own. forcing anydoors on the rear. removing window bars. throwing ladders (if the truck company has not done so). monitoring the radio.
Most of the time the rit team is initally only going to be 3-4 firefighters. the IC will then add other companies to assist with operations. atleast that is how we usually do it. you have to figure during a true full fledged rit operation. it is going to take lots of people and chances are other maydays are going to happen.

here is my school of thought

Once the Matday is decleared and the RIT is activated. I feel that the RIT must move fast and quick. which means they should not be dragging a whole lot of tool, rope rigs and other crap. My thought is they should find the firefighter. size up the situation, and the direct other operations. Get them on an establish air supply chances are they are going to be getting low on air. then you can determine what tools and actions will be need to remove/ extricate the firefighter. This allows for the operation to be scaled up or scaled down. depending on what the situation warrents. we are not going to send the calvery punch a 2nd and 3rd alarm, drag a whole rescuse truck worth of equipment for a firefighter that is caught in a mattress frame on the 2nd floor. the rit team is going to find the firefighter. get the mattress off of him and lead him out. Now if that firefighter is trapped under a collapsed roof. the calvery is coming with all the bells and whistles. but first we have to find the firefighter and gain assess to you, get you on an airsupply and then start the extrication process..

[TNFF319]

For us, it's a minimum of 8 for a SFD. We have sent as many as 16 at a commercial.

That is awesome. I wish more people would be assigned to RIT. Too many people think a company of 4 is enough.

[Bones42]

That is awesome. I wish more people would be assigned to RIT. Too many people think a company of 4 is enough.

Pretty simple. At a drill, work it out with the command staff that a 2 FF team becomes trapped during the drill, with no ones knowledge. Then see what is actually involved with rescuing them.

The manpower situation will show itself very quickly.

[L-Webb]

Hose and nozzles

[LVFD301]

T- Thermal Imaging Camera
R- Rope
A- Air
I- Irons
L- Lights/Ladders
S- Saws

This is good.

Like others, I believe the RIT team needs to be fast and agile, and
too much equipment is going to be an issue. Once the firefighters are
located, get them on air, and if you need more equipment get it off the apparatus.