Transcript Slide 1

RIT
Paul Strong
Valley Regional Fire Authority
Walk-A-Way's
1. Communication
2. Crew Integrity / Safety
3. Air Management
Communication
Within the crew
3 or 4 person crew
1. Everything spoken must have meaning to the
assignment
2. Everything spoken must be paid attention to
3. Follow the chain (Talk to the person in front/behind you
instead of yelling out if possible)
Communication
With the victim
Firefighter #1 initiates contact / communication
–
–
Assess their life threatening needs first
Assess their physical and mental situation
Firefighter #2 assists FF #1
Firefighter #3 assists FF #2
Communication
With the victim
Mental / Psychological situation of victim
Will the victim be helpful in their rescue?
Will the victim be a hindrance in their rescue?
Ref: Brett Tarver, Phoenix Fire Dept.
Brett Tarver
As many of you know, March 14, 2001, was a day that was marked with tragedy for
the American Fire Service. Firefighter/Paramedic Brett Tarver lost his life while
battling a blaze in the Southwest Supermarket in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite the
activation and concerted efforts of Rapid Intervention Companies (RIC), Tarver
did not survive.
Not only to pay homage to his memory, but also to prevent similar catastrophes, the
Phoenix Fire Department dedicated a great deal of time towards researching
and evaluating the RIC concept. Their efforts resulted in the conclusion that
“rapid intervention is not so rapid.” Some very troubling statistics were found.
For example:
A 3,000 psi air bottle will last an average of 16.5-18.5 minutes.
From the time that the firefighters called for a “Mayday” until they were successfully
removed from the building was 21.8 minutes.
The number of firefighters it took to complete the rescue was 12 firefighters.
Crew Integrity / Safety
Safety is everybody’s responsibility…
Crew integrity and safety is the
responsibility of the Officer…
•
•
•
•
Director of the assignment
Looks at the big picture
Pays attention to firefighters
Air manager
Air Management
Calculation example
Team Air (4500, 4200, 4350) = 4200 psi
4200 – 1000 (Bell rings) = 3200 psi (Working air)
3200 / 2 = 1600 psi (1/2 of your working air)
4200 – 1600 = 2600 psi
2600 psi = Condition Evaluation
(Appx. Halfway through your working air)
Air Management
Condition Evaluation
How hard is your team working?
How far are you from your egress?
What are the fire, smoke, and heat conditions?
What is the condition of the structure?
Have you accomplished your objective?
Will you need your remaining team air just to exit?
Can you continue working and perform another condition
evaluation shortly?
Air Management
Calculation
Team Air (4500, 4200, 4350) = 4200 psi
4200 psi = 27 y/o marathon runner
4350 psi = 50 y/o in decent shape
4500 psi = 42 y/o recliner potato
Air Managers (Officers) - Know Your People!
Initial RIT Deployment
What is your function?
• Quick ingress to Last known location
If you reach the down FF…
• Assess life threatening needs
• Assess other needs
A.W.A.R.E.
Shelter in place
Extrication anticipation/requirements
Initial RIT Deployment
What is your function?
If you reach the down FF…
But cannot quickly extricate
• Call for additional RIT to assist
• You may be the sheltering RIT
-Build a cache of supplies
Initial RIT Deployment
What is your function?
If you can’t reach the down FF…
Set the next RIT up for success
Blaze the trail as far as you can before
you make your egress survival turn
Initial RIT Deployment
What is your function?
•
•
•
Quick ingress to last known location
Anticipate your needs
– Additional RIT
– Bottles
– Tools
– Hoselines
– Rope
– Etc.
Call for a Recon on the exterior for possible alternate
access
RIT Tools
Hand tools
~ ~ ~
Power tools
RIT Tools
When assigned to and setting up for
RIT…
Fill up your tarp with the tools that
make sense.
The idea is to move your tools into a more readily
available position
Rapid
Intervention
Teams
Will take calculated risks
Will use risk/benefit
Rapid
Intervention
Team
It is not your job to make poor
decisions!
When you are the victim
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lost
Trapped
Injured
Major equipment malfunction
Etc.
MAYDAY
MAYDAY
MAYDAY
MAYDAY
Call Early
(Time is of the essence)
Give specific / detailed information
Plain language if necessary
Lost
(You called a MAYDAY, now what?)
Drop a glow stick
and
Shelter in place
or
Find exterior wall
(Break window, breech wall, tap on wall)
How do you know if you are on an
exterior wall?
Trapped
(You have called a MAYDAY, now what?)
What are your choices?
Do nothing
Shelter in place
conserve air
tap on wall, floor, etc.
pass device
(Consider communication limitations)
Trapped
(You have called a MAYDAY, now what?)
What are your choices?
Self extricate
Physical labor
faster air consumption rate
Consider amount of work involved
Risk (of running out of air)
Vs.
Benefit
Keep Calm
Think
Plan
Act
Conclusion
If you are assigned RIT:
Prepare for the worst – Tool set
Prepare for the worst – Knowledge (360)
Effective communication skills
Use proper air management
Know your people (Crew integrity/Safety)