PROGRAM OBJECTIVES At the completion of this program, the firefighter will be able to:

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Explain why fire companies get trapped and die in burning structures

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Recognize problems associated with firefighter deaths, and offer actions to be taken to minimize these risks

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Define acronyms associated with firefighter search and rescue teams around the country

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Check and verify strategies and tactics related to search and rescue procedures

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Recognize conditions which can activate a R.I.C. Team

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

DEFINITIONS 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 ! A fresh team of skilled personnel. Having gathered vital information for ascertaining rescues. Also having rescue tools available. 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 showing the number of Firefighter deaths due to being trapped or lost.There are no available statistics showing the number of Firefighter deaths due to being trapped or lost. NFPA & OSHA believe having a R.I.C. Team in place will minimize the risk to F.F. involved in structure fires.NFPA & OSHA believe having a R.I.C. Team in place will minimize the risk to F.F. involved in structure fires.

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS PROBLEM POOR VISIBILITY ACTION VENTILATE + LIGHT

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS PROBLEM HIGH HEAT ACTION VENTILATE & STAY LOW

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS PROBLEM MANY FLOORS ACTION LAST SEEN ON FLOOR BELOW

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS PROBLEM LARGE AREA ACTION SUBDIVIDE FLOOR FOR SEARCH

R.I.C. Team PROBLEMS & ACTIONS PROBLEM TIME ACTION TIME FOR RIC MUST BE MONITORED

WHEN TO ESTABLISH A 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. TEAM MAKE UP…. 1. A Company of 3 to 4 trained personnel1. A Company of 3 to 4 trained personnel 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 Hook –b. Radio –c. Pry Bar –d. Chain Saw, K-12, etc.

Reporting to I.C. R.I.C. team report directly to I. C.R.I.C. team report directly to I. C. I.C. Briefs R.I.C. Team members.I.C. Briefs R.I.C. Team 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 TEAM PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY BE PREPAREDBE PREPARED Fully BunkeredFully Bunkered Have Equipment ReadyHave Equipment Ready Study Building LayoutStudy Building Layout Be Familiar with Companies placement and assignmentBe Familiar with Companies placement and assignment 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