Rapid Intervention Teams

Putting “FIREFIGHTER SAFETY” into action

 Problems with RIT
• Is there a problem with RIT in Houston?
• Do we have unrealistic expectations from
our RIT?
• Do you like being the RIT?
RIT Size-up
RIT Size-up
 New Tools
• AIR Bottle
• Guide rope
• Retractable Tag Lines
• Other additions to RIT Kit
 Lessons Learned
• Fire Departments are reactionary
• Do we have to have a RIT catastrophe
before we agree there is a problem?
• Can we learn from others?
• Phoenix REACTED
 Reality Check
• If you are inside—what kind of a RIT
would you want outside?
• If you are RIT—how soon do you want
the endangered firefighter to wait?
• How long will it take for the RIT to reach
a firefighter in trouble?
• How many RIT Teams will be needed for
a firefighter extrication?
 Phoenix Drill
• Minutes between “MAYDAY” and RIT entry
– 2½
• Minutes between MAYDAY and reach downed
firefighter
– 7 ½-8
• Minutes for extrication of an unconscious
firefighter
– More than 21 minutes
 Phoenix Drill
• Number of RIT teams
–3
• Rescuers who get into trouble
– 20%
• How much air after vibra-alert?
– 5 minutes
• How long until structural collapse?
– 16-18 minutes
 Houston’s Drill
• Entry
• Firefighter Found
• Air on Firefighter
• RIT-2 Entry
• Extrication
 Houston’s Drill
• Full Gear
• Visibility
• Downed Firefighter
• Benchmarks
• TEAMWORK
 Lessons Learned
• Stay together
• Captain first
• Report updates
• Quiet/Listen
• Use Tag-line