1. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Manual Review
3rd Edition, 2012
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

2. IN MEMORY OF TECHNICIAN I KYLE WILSON APRIL 16, 2007

3. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
Committee Members
Arlington County: Matthew Cobb, Captain
City of Fairfax: John Ahrens, Battalion Chief
City of Fairfax: Shawn Dunstan, Captain
Fairfax County: Barry Maham, Captain
Fairfax County: Ray Griffin, Captain
Loudoun County: Derrick Crawford, Captain
MWAA: Jeremy Pope, Captain
Prince William County: Wayne Moran, Captain
Stafford County: Joseph Charley, Battalion Chief
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

4. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
Increased RIT resources (Initial RIT, RIT Levels 1, 2, 3)
Changed terminology
Changed manual organization
New MAYDAY procedures
Added command & emergency communication procedures
Minimal standard for RIT Training
Regional RIT sticker
Training & survival techniques removed
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

5. Working Structure Fire
Defined as a fire incident in a structure where more than one attack line will be deployed from pumping apparatus to combat the fire. An attack line is to be considered deployed when it is removed from the pumping apparatus.
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

6. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
MAYDAY
Mayday – term used to report situations where a firefighter(s) is/are in distress or may require assistance in an IDLH.
When to report a MAYDAY?
As soon as you realize that you are at risk or lost, communicate with your crew and command with a “MAYDAY” and your best possible location in the building.
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

7. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
How to Call A MAYDAY?
Initial MAYDAY transmission should include the following;
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
Unit number three times, (i.e. Engine 407, Engine 407, Engine 407)
Command acknowledge
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

8. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
How to Call A MAYDAY?
Once acknowledged by command, provide the following;
Position and name
Location
Nature of emergency
Command acknowledge
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

9. How to Call A MAYDAY?
If not acknowledged by command, perform/transmit the following;
Activate the Emergency Activation Button (EAB), if possible
Activate your PASS device and briefly key your portable to get attention of other firefighters or command. Deactivate your PASS whenever communicating via radio and reactivate once complete.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
Unit number three times, (i.e. Engine 407, Engine 407, Engine 407)
Location
Nature of emergency
Command acknowledge
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

10. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
Command Procedures
**The incident commander has the ability to change assignments as the incident dictates**
Initial actions upon receiving a Mayday call
Acknowledge the mayday and immediately deploy the RIT resources to the last known location
Make a fire ground announcement to communicate emergency traffic only and all personnel shall maintain their current positions/assignments
Confirm pertinent information from the downed firefighter (i.e. UCAN or LUNAR)
Request accountability of crew that initiated the mayday
Ensure the dispatch of a RIT Level 2, additional alarms/resources, etc
Initiate a PAR check to confirm accountability of personnel
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

11. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
Command Procedures
Additional action after receiving a mayday call
Backfill the initial RIT for continued fireground operations
As the situation dictates and resources become available consider additional radio channels
Revise IAP and incident priorities to a high priority search and rescue operation
Develop a rescue action plan (consider/request additional resources)
Withdraw and control unassigned resources from the search and rescue area (control/restrict entry)
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

12. Additional Considerations
Consider the need for a staff officer for notification to family members
Not in NOVA Manual but a good thought
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

13. Command Activated Deployment of RIT w/out a Mayday Call Initiated
Command should initiate a RIT deployment in lieu of a mayday when he/she deems necessary.
Examples:
Unit resource missing after a PAR
Structural collapse with possible entrapment
Observes units/personnel in distress
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

14. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Levels
Initial RIT
Single resource from the initial alarm
Designated in each emergency operation manual
Recommended Four personnel with a minimum of Three
This is equivalent to the old Level 1 RIT
RIT Level 1 (Dispatched ahead of additional alarms)
1 Engine, 1 Special Service (preferably a heavy rescue)
In addition to the initial box alarm
Shall be requested by the initial IC or first due command officer once deemed a working structure fire
May be initiated while responding if supplemental information dictates
Once these units arrive they will be referred to as the “RIT Group”
Officer of the Initial RIT will become the “RIT Group Supervisor”
May request additional resources through the incident commander if necessary
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

15. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Levels
RIT Level 2
1 Engine, 1 Truck, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Battalion Chief, 1 ALS Unit
In addition to the initial box alarm and RIT Level 1 resources
These units will arrive and augment the RIT Group
Mandatory on any incident involving a lost or trapped firefighter
RIT Level 3 (Collapse Rescue)
2 Rescues or units with structural collapse capabilities, a response unit with shoring capabilities
RIT Level 2 must have already been requested to ensure adequate resources
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

16. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
Initial RIT Planning
A primary responsibility is proactive tasks to improve the safety of firefighters working in an IDLH
DO NOT COMMIT TO ANY OPERATION THAT WILL PREVENT YOU FROM MAINTAINING READINESS
Placement of ground ladders
Placement of lighting
Force open exterior doors
Remove window obstructions
Confirm utilities have been controlled
Initial RIT officer shall report to the command post and confer w/ the IC (unless impractical)
Establish tool staging area
Added minimum equipment
Plan where to acquire a protective hoseline if needed
Perform a recon lap
Monitor radio traffic
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

17. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
Initial RIT Actions
Upon activation to a known Mayday situation the Initial RIT should;
Search, recon, and locate lost/trapped firefighters
Remove the firefighter to a safe location if possible and provide an air supply
Communicate w/ command on resources required to protect and rescue the trapped firefighter
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

18. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Level 1 Planning
Report to and confer w/ the Initial RIT officer
Develop and implement the Rescue Action Plan
Recon team
Rescue Team
Relief Crew
Ensure the Initial RIT pre-deployment actions have been completed
The tool cache should be built up as the RIT capability is expanded
Deploy a protective hose line if needed for rescue
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

19. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Level I Actions
Support the objectives of the Initial RIT
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

20. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Level 2 Planning
Should confer w/ the IC and the RIT Group
The BFC on this assignment will become the RIT Group Supervisor (IC may use the second BFC from the initial alarm)
Review, develop, and implement the rescue action plan, ensure pre-deployment actions have been completed
Assess the need for additional relief crews assigned to the RIT group and stage them outside the rescue area
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

21. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Level 2 Actions
The following actions should take place when activating a RIT Level 2:
Assignment of BFC or command officer as the RIT Group Supervisor
Assignment of a separate radio channel for RIT, if possible
Coordinate rescue operations w/ firefighting operations
Identify support needs and request additional resources from the IC
Identify or create access openings to the trapped firefighters
Develop the capability to supply air to trapped firefighters from all jurisdictions involved
Anticipate patient extrication requirements
Anticipate patient packaging and removal requirements
Assign ALS units
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

22. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Level 3 Planning
Should confer with the IC and the existing RIT Group
Review rescue action plans, further develop them, and implement building collapse action plans
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

23. Building Collapse Action Plan
The building collapse action plan should include or consider the following elements:
Maintain suppression control operations (if applicable)
Perform hazard assessment
Fire acceleration
Utility involvement
Secondary collapse potential
Hazardous materials involvement
Implement hazard control requirements (utility control, monitoring, shoring, etc)
Assign units to assure adequate lighting in rescue area
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

24. RIT Level 3 (Collapse Rescue) Actions
Assign technical rescue group by technical rescue qualified officer
Assign a technical rescue safety officer by technical rescue qualified personnel
Consider an additional channel for RIT Level 3 logistical operations
Initiate operations to rescue surface victims and lightly trapped victims
Expand search parameters established during previous RIT levels
Identify support requirements and request resources from IC
Initiate operations to perform heavy rescue requirements
Breaching
Lifting
Specific debris removal
General rubble clearance
Utilization of heavy equipment
Maintain a RIT capability while rescue operations are performed
Consider a physician response to the scene
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

25. Rapid Intervention Team Recon Procedures
Upon activation, should deploy to the last known location
Locate, provide air, and secure a tag line in the area of the downed firefighter
Determine additional resources
Begin packaging and removal, if possible
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

26. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
RIT Rescue Procedures
After the RIT Recon has located the firefighter, the following information should be relayed to the RIT Group Supervisor
Location
Disposition
Best access
Crew disposition
Additional resources needed
RIT Group Supervisor may deploy additional RIT’s w/ a minimum of 3 personnel in each
Crews should be familiar w/ ROAM
ROAM should be tracked by the RIT Group Supervisor or aide
Rescue & removal is the responsibility of the RIT Rescues
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

27. Rapid Intervention Team Relief Procedures
Average 8 minutes to locate a lost or downed firefighter and 22 minutes to remove that firefighter
RIT Group Supervisor must ensure adequate relief crews are available to support the rescue action plan
Coordinate this well in advance, and through the IC
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

28. Firefighters/Officers/Unit Responsibilities
This section is intended to address the expectations of all units on the incident scene
Maintain radio discipline
Communicate emergency traffic only
Ensure accountability of your crew
Prepare for a PAR
Continue w/ current assignment
Search immediate area for missing or downed firefighter
Face to face communication w/ other units operating in the immediate vicinity
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

29. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
ECC Responsibilities
Dispatch Procedures
Dispatch RIT Level I when requested by the Incident Commander or on-scene/responding command officer
Units shall be identified upon dispatch as RIT levels
Advise the incident commander once the RIT levels have been dispatched
Maintain radio discipline
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

30. ECC Responsibilities (cont)
Dispatch Procedures Following a Mayday
Ensure the IC acknowledged the mayday call
If the dispatcher receives a mayday from an individual not operating on the assigned channel/zone
Gather LUNAR/UCAN information from the firefighter
Do not have firefighters attempt to switch channels
Contact jurisdiction and/or incident commander in which the incident is occurring and provide the above information
Maintain open communication w/ the firefighter calling the mayday and jurisdictions operating at the incident
Dispatch RIT Level 2 when requested by the initial incident commander or responding command officer
This dispatch will take precedence over any additional alarms
Advise the incident commander that a RIT level 2 has been dispatched
Maintain radio discipline
Assign a dispatcher to closely monitor all radio traffic on the tactical channel
Notify surrounding jurisdictions involved in the incident of the event
Do not initiate operational responsibilities until directed by the IC (i.e. emergency evacuation tones, RIT deployment tones, etc)
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

31. Regional RIT Tracking Board Side “A”
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

32. Regional RIT Tracking Board Side “B”
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

33. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
REGIONAL RIT STICKER
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

34. SUMMARY
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson

35. In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson
QUESTIONS?
In memory of Technician I Kyle Wilson