A Course Designed to Save Firefighters Lives

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Firefighter Survival Course

• A Course Designed to Save Firefighters Lives

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Course Introduction

• Instructors
• B/C Forest Reeder
• Lt. Mike Grazian
• FF/PM Ken Brucki
• Program Goals
• Orientation to concepts of self rescue and rapid
  intervention
• Review of actual scenarios
• Practical experience
• Train the Trainer focus

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Course References

• Illinois Fire Service Institute - Saving Our Own
  Program
• Firefighter Survival - John Sulka, FDNY
• Firefighter Safety and Survival -
• USFA / NIOSH / NFPA Reports
• Personal Experiences and Case Studies
• Training

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Common Factors in Firefighter Fatalities and
Injuries

• Lost or separated from team
• Hotter Fires
• Malfunctioning SCBA
• Inactivated PASS device
• Lack of knowledge of self-rescue techniques

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Course Objectives

• Classroom
• Understand the concepts of self-rescue
• Understand the process of rapid intervention
  teams
• Understand the responsibilities of the RIT
  officer and team members
• Identify some of the basic tools required for SR
  and RIT

• Practical Exercises
• Self-Rescue Techniques
• Size-up for RIT
• Rapid Intervention Scenarios

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Self Rescue Concepts

• Before Rapid Intervention even begins,
  firefighters must posses the ability to begin to
  remove themselves from mechanisms that have
  trapped them
• Wires
• Debris
• Occupancy

Hose Slide
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Firefighter Rescue Scenarios
Self
Team assisted
Quick exit using hose slide
SCBA onto unconscious FF
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Skills Necessary for Self Rescue

• Knowledge of Building Construction
• Fire Spread and Fire Behavior
• How to Call for Help
• Mayday, Emergency Traffic
• Where are you in building
• How to find the FASTEST way out
• Turnout gear protects for only seconds in
  flashover
• Low air means time to get out
• No more primary, secondary or firefighting
  operations

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Personal Equipment
Suggested Equipment for Self-Survival
Should be available to EACH firefighter
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Self Rescue Scenarios
Must be able to tie handcuff knot around self or
downed firefighter (RIT)
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Self Rescue Scenarios
Ladder Bail-out Was ladder placed for rescue, by
RIT, or for ventilation?
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Self Rescue Scenarios
Getting into a safe refuge area FDNY found this
most overlooked
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Self Rescue Scenarios
Performed with minimum equipment
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5.00 - 10.00
Self Rescue Scenarios
Cable TV, Phone, Ceiling Support, Flex Duct
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Firefighter Survival Skills Training

• Quarterly review of these lifesaving skills is a
  must
• Donning / Doffing of SCBA (Reduced Profile
  Maneuver)
• Other product specific advanced SCBA techniques
  quick fill
• Tying of basic rescue knots
• Bowline around self
• Handcuff knot
• Activation of RIT
• Mayday or Emergency Traffic
• Release from obstructions techniques
• Swim Method for wire, use of sidecutters
• Hose direction identification by couplings

Safety and Survival Drills
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Rapid Intervention Teams
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Rapid Intervention Teams
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Cover of Trapped Firefighter
Rapid Intervention Teams
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Rapid Intervention Teams
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Rapid Intervention Teams
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Rapid Intervention TeamsBasic Concepts

• A function of Command
• Assembled in teams of 2 or more
• Bring rescue equipment to Command
• Perform own size-up of scene
• May do other functions as long as available
  immediately
• Most important assignment given to a company
• Protect and rescue firefighters

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Personal Skills Required for RIT Assignment

• Size-up Skills
• Building Construction
• Fire Spread and Behavior
• Communications
• Aggressive Can-do spirit
• Use of multiple types of tools and equipment
• Ability to act fast under poor conditions

ATTITUDE
ATTITUDE
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Team Skills Required for RIT Assignment

• Must be familiar with all aspects of assignment
• Fireground is not the place to learn
• Preparation in training will begin process
• Ability to function as a team
• Identification of key tasks and positions

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NFPA Requirements for RIT
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OSHA 2 in / 2 out Compliance

• A Rapid Intervention Team should fulfill the
  requirements as specified in the 29 CFR Part
  1910.134 regulation
• A minimum of four individuals is required before
  entry into the hazard area (interior operations)
  may begin
• Two of the four must be present and ready outside
  the hazard area
• Must be identically equipped
• Crews in hazard area must remain in either voice,
  visual or tethered contact with each other at all
  times
• Radio may not be substituted for direct visual
  contact

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The Beginning of Self-Rescue and RIT

• FDNY and Philadelphia
• Found common denominators in many situations
• No quick way to mobilize firefighters to rescue
  our own
• Many names for RIT
• Firefighter Assist Team, Rapid Intervention Crew,
  Firefighter Rescue Team, etc.
• Idea is still the same

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Case Histories

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Memphis, Tennessee
• Denver, Colorado
• Columbus, Ohio
• Burr Ridge, IL
• Other of note not included in this presentation
• Hackensack, NJ
• Seattle, WA
• Philadelphia, PA
• New York, NY

Must Know Info.
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Case Histories Pittsburgh 3 Firefighters Killed
Three Pittsburgh firefighters died on Feb 14,
1995 died at a dwelling fire after they were
unable to escape the interior of a building. All
three firefighters were together in one room and
had exhausted their air supplies. - 3 other
firefighter were rescued from same room,
accountability did not identify all who were
lost. - All 3 had PASS devices that were not
activated - No RIT available to rescue lost and
trapped firefighters
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Case HistoriesMemphis High-Rise Kills 2
Firefighters
2 Memphis Firefighters will killed on April 11,
1994 in a high-rise fire. Both firefighters died
when trapped on the fire floor of this building.
1 firefighter became trapped by cable TV wire
which had fallen from the ceiling area and
wrapped around his SCBA bottle. - Both
firefighters became separated from each other
and ran out of air. PASS devices were worn but
never activated. - Rescue crews lacked
understanding of position of trapped
firefighters and crawled right past one member
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Case HistoriesDenver Office Fire Kills 1
Firefighter
A Denver firefighter was killed on September 28,
1982 when he became trapped inside the structure
by the failure of lightweight construction
members. Numerous attempts at rescue from a
confined space through a window frame were
unsuccessful. - Firefighter was separated from
his crew when collapse occurred. - Rescue
crews were unable to assist firefighter through
window. - Limited visibility and victim position
were factors in the rescue attempt.
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Case HistoriesColumbus Commercial Fire Kills 1
Firefighter
A firefighter was killed when he fell through a
hole in the floor of a mixed commercial occupancy
on July 25, 1987. This firefighter was located
early into his entrapment and despite many heroic
efforts to rescue him, firefighters were unable
to remove him from the hole he had fallen
through. - Numerous attempts to pull and lift
firefighter were unsuccessful - Self-rescue
techniques did not work due to altered mental
status - Crews had to abandon structure with
firefighter still trapped inside
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Case HistoriesPleasantview Firefighter Killed in
Single Family Dwelling
On December 6, 1989, Lt. Joseph Samec died while
battling a residential house fire in Burr Ridge,
IL. Lt. Samec and his crew tried to rapidly exit
the structure due to heavy involvement of the
basement when the floor collapsed. - Rescue
attempts included face to face and holding of
arms/hands were unsuccessful. - Lt. Samec
breached two walls in his attempt to escape but
failed to make the stairs and was found face
down on the staircase.
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Case Studies - Summary

• May Joe Samec, John Nance, Mark Langvardt, and
  the 100 other firefighters who have make the
  SUPREME SACRAFICE every year rest in peace
  forever.
• Their memory serves as a catalyst for how and why
  we train
• We must learn for these tragedies and every
  near-miss that occurs
• We must revisit these occurrences as often as
  possible

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Rapid Intervention Teams

• Referenced from NFPA 1500, 1992 Edition
• Now in use nationwide as the ultimate in
  firefighter life safety procedures
• Provides for the rescue of lost, trapped or
  injured firefighters
• Allows Command to have outside tasks completed
  while RIT crew is in the standby mode

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Rapid Intervention Teams

• Definition
• RITs are crews of at least two members who may
  be called upon to supply rescue techniques to
  other firefighters operating a the scene of an
  emergency. These crews will have at least the
  same level of training and protective equipment
  as those operating at the scene.

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General Purpose of Rapid Intervention Teams

• Purpose
• Provide for the establishment of a Rapid
  Intervention Team (RIT) within the Incident
  Management System
• Essential function of COMMAND
• Allows for dedicated company assigned to this
  function
• Meets current federal and local regulatory
  requirements
• One of the last industries to apply rescue of our
  own to work place
• Work Place Emergency Scene

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When to have a Rapid Intervention Team

• Utilized at any time firefighters are at risk
• structural firefighting
• hazardous materials response
• technical rescue
• water rescue or recovery
• during attack and hazard operations

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Objectives of a Rapid Intervention Team

• Objectives of RIT
• Establish a means of effectively assisting
  members suddenly threatened by a dangerous
  situation at an emergency incident
• Provide a means for the IC to initiate an
  immediate rescue effort.

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Assigning Rapid Intervention Teams

• Dispatch of Equipment-Assignment to RIT
• IC should establish the RITS whenever FD
  personnel are required to operate under hazardous
  conditions.
• The composition and structure of RIT should be
  flexible based on the size and complexity of
  operations. The IC shall evaluate the situation
  and risks to operating teams and shall provide
  more teams commensurate with the needs of the
  situation
• Some scenes may require the establishment of more
  than one team
• Size of structure or complexity of structure

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Rapid Intervention Teams

• In the initial stages of an accident, the RIT
  shall be either
• On scene personnel designated and dedicated as
  RIT
• On scene personnel performing other functions but
  ready to redeploy to perform RIT functions
• As the incident expands in size or complexity,
  the RITs shall be on scene personnel dedicated
  to that function

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Rapid Intervention Teams

• Reporting to the Fireground
• Companies designated as RIT will bypass staging,
  and report directly to the IC
• Companies designated as RIT must park their
  apparatus so as not to interfere with fireground
  operations
• Must bring minimum specified equipment and be
  prepared for immediate entry into incident area
  if required
• Additional equipment may be required after RIT
  completes own size-up of scene
• Incident Command must supply WHATEVER is
  determined to be needed

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Rapid Intervention TeamsCommand Notes

• If used for other tactical assignments, the RIT
  must be replaced another crew
• May be used to secure utilities
• Force exit/entry around structure
• Dont place into position where deployment would
  be delayed
• If the need for rescue is diminished, the RIT may
  be assigned to other tasks

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Primary Tasks for RITs

• Respond to any firefighter reported in distress
• Assess the need for ground ladders
• Monitor radio and maintain contact with IC for
  quick response if needed
• Assess where ff. personnel are located in the
  structure and any special tasks they are
  performing
• Size up structure, walk building to determine
  these factors
• Appropriate tools carried by members

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Rapid Intervention Team Equipment
Minimum Suggested Equipment

• Flat head axe/halligan tool
• Sledge hammer or maul
• Search rope, 150 minimum
• Portable saws
• Hand lights
• Ground ladders

• Oxygen/EMS
• Portable radios
• SCBA complete
• SCBA spare bottles

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Equipment Note

• Key word is RAPID. Dont overload the personnel.
  Equipment must be available and RITs have
  priority to use it.
• Use pre-arranged bags or kits with most equipment
  pre-packed and ready to go.
• Saves time when arriving on fireground

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RIT Size-up Skills
Fire Eng. Jan 1998, R. Lasky, B. Hoff

• Building Dimension
• Occupancy
• Construction Type
• Placement of windows, doors, escapes, porches,
  etc.
• Tactics
• Offensive, Defensive, Defensive to Offensive
• Command Operations in place
• Ladders and Truck Operations
• Time of Operations

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Equipment - Wood Frame, Heavy Timber, Ordinary

• Pickhead axes and pikes
• Circular wood-blade saw
• Ventilation chain saw
• Halligan and sledgehammer
• Search rope
• SCBA and extra supply
• Charged hoseline
• Ground ladders

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Equipment - Noncombustible/Fire Resistive

• Halligan bars
• Sledgehammers
• Circular metal-blade saw
• Torches
• Search rope
• SCBA and extra supply
• Charged hoseline
• Ground ladders

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Other Size-up Considerations

• Check with rehab officer on condition of
  firefighters
• Check with Safety Officer and compare information
• Relocate or add another RIT
• Potential collapse and collapse area
• EMS for the RIT available

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RIT Size-up of a Structure
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1-36
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Command Mode Slide 1
1-58
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Tips from the Pros
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Special Thanks and Acknowledgements

• All Fallen Firefighters, Their Sprit Lives In Us
  Forever
• Saving Our Own - Illinois Fire Service Institute
• Getting Out Alive - Fire Department New York City
• Firefighter Survival - Phoenix AZ, FDNY
• Elgin IL - Regional Fire Academy Firefighter
  Survival Program
• Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors
• Pleasantview Fire Protection District