Course Objectives

• Provide the History of Firefighter Injuries and Fatalities at Structure Fires.

• Provide Firefighters With the Knowledge and Techniques of Rapid Intervention Teams

• Provide Firefighters With the Knowledge and Techniques of Self Survival

• Demonstrate and Apply Firefighter Rescue Techniques

REMEMBER:

• There usually is more than one way to do things.

• This program is a starting point for you and your department to develop your own protocols and procedures.

Some of the evolutions in this program can be hazardous if not performed

correctly. It is recommended that full personal protective equipment be worn

during the all of the training evolutions. It is also recommended that safety

personnel be used to insure that the training is conducted in the safest

manner possible.

The pictures in this program were taken during various training exercises. In

some cases appropriate safety equipment may be missing for

instructional or photographic purposes.

Firefighter Injuries & Firefighter Injuries & FatalitiesFatalities

Overview

• What Conditions Injure & Kill Firefighters?

• Can Common Denominators Be Found?

• This Lesson Looks at Actual Incidents Which Have Injured or Killed Our Own.

Opening Comments

• These Incidents Are Not Meantto Be Critical of Any Departmentor Individual

• They Are Offered for Instructional Purposes Only

• Respect and Gratitude Is Offered to Each Department Involved

House Fire in San Francisco

• March 9, 1995; 00:59 Hours

• Single Family Dwelling on Ridge

• Two Stories Exist Below Entry Level

• “Cliff Hanger” House

• First-in Engine Company Is Prepared for Room & Contents Fire

• They Begin the Initial Attack

Fire Conditions

• Fire Starts in an Outlet in anExterior Wall

• One Story Below Grade

• Fire Extends ThroughConcealed Spaces

• Winds Are Gusting to 50 MPH

Initial Attack

• First Line Through Attached Garage

• Additional Lines to Protect Exposures

Changing Fire Conditions

• Fire Vents Through Exterior Windows

• High Winds Intensify Fire

• Interior Conditions Rapidly Deteriorate

• Interior Crews Decide to Exit Structure

Unexpected Happens

• The Garage Door Closes Behind Interior Crew

• Exterior Personnel Did Not Recognize the Hazard

• The Attack Crew Is Now Trapped

Rescue Efforts

• Firefighter on Exterior Hears Banging on Garage Door and Assumes it is Someone on the Outside

• Firefighter Realizes Banging Is Coming From Inside and Calls for Help

• Three Firefighters Are Unable to Lift the Door

Rescue Efforts (Continued)

• Door Is Breached With Axes & Chainsaw

• Panic Sets in

• One Firefighter Is Removed

• It Takes Six Firefighters to Lift Door Open!

• Two Additional Firefighters Are Found at Door

VIDEO

Working FireVolume 95-12

Discussion• Firefighter Accountability

• Common Distress Signals

• Common Evacuation Command

• Safety Officer

• Rapid Intervention Team

• Essential Tools

• Other?

Commercial BuildingLos Angeles

• July 30, 1995

• 0321 Hours

• Vacant Commercial Building

Initial Fire Attack

• Defensive Attack; Master Streams From Street

• Once Knocked Down, Crews Enter Building

• IC Ordered All Personnel to Remain Outside of Structure

Unexpected Happens

• Structure Collapse Shortly After IC Orders Evacuation

• Time of Collapse Approximately 19 Minutes After Arrival On-Scene

• Seven Firefighters Trapped in Rubble

VIDEO

Working Fire, Volume 95-12

Discussion• Firefighter Accountability

• Common Distress Signals

• Common Evacuation Command

• Safety Officer

• Rapid Intervention Team

• Essential Tools

• Other?

House Fire in Stockton

• February 6, 1997

• 0412 Hours

• Two Story Single Family Dwelling

• Attached Dance Studio

• Dispatch States, “Occupants Likely Inside”

Initial Fire Attack

• Heavy Fire Conditions on Arrival

• Exposures Are Threatened

• First Arriving Crews Unaware Structure Is Two-story

• Two Lines Through Front Door for Fire Attack

Unexpected Happens

• 23 Minutes After Arrival

–Interior Crew Reports Wall Collapse With People Trapped

–Exterior Crew Reports Collapse at Back of Building

–Three Firefighters Are Trapped Under Second Floor

VIDEO

Working Fire, Volume 97-5

Discussion• Firefighter Accountability

• Common Distress Signals

• Common Evacuation Command

• Safety Officer

• Rapid Intervention Team

• Essential Tools

• Other?

Summary

• Sincere Thanks to the Fire Departments Who Shared This Information

• Hopefully We Can Prevent Similar Tragedies by Learning From Their Experiences

• These Were Real People and Dedicated Firefighters

This Course Focuses On:

• The Prevention of These Situations

• Self-Rescue

• The Rescue of Firefighters Who Cannot Help Themselves

Firefighter Injuries &Fatalities

End of Part One

RAPID INTERVENTION TEAMS

Tactical Considerations

Preparation

You’ve Been Assigned to RIT; Now What Do You Do?

What Are the Techniques Used to Rescue Firefighters?

This Lesson Explains the Real World of RIT

When Do We Need RIT?

At the Worst Times!

At the Worst Times!

Reactions of Firefighters When Others Are Lost

Confusion

Prior Confusion

Sorting It Out

Communications

Job of RIT Is to See Through Confusion

Anxiety & Panic

Human Behavior

Unprepared

No Control

RIT Must Be Prepared and Controlled

DenialHuman Reaction to Trauma

Shut Down

Delay

RIT Must Push Through Denial and Act!

Retreat

Reactive, Not Pro-active

Hose Line Position?

Secondary Collapse Potential?

RIT Must Be Intelligently Aggressive

An Effective RIT is:Prepared

Equipped

Trained

Properly Placed

Expected to Overcome

RIT is a Combat PositionA Dynamic Working Crew

Not a Rehab Position

Will Be Busy

All Personnel Trained As RIT Must Have Full PPE and Proper Equipment Required for Any Potential Search and Rescue Operation

What Does OSHA Say About RIT?

A Dedicated Rescue Team Is Required

CCR Title 8, Section 5144 (g)

A Component of Respiratory Regulations

OSHA Requires:Communications Plan

Buddy System

Stand-by Members (“Two Out”) During IDLH Conditions

According to OSHA Rules, an Incipient Fire That Can Be Extinguished by a Fire ExtinguisherIs Not IDLH

Stand-by Members (“Two Out”)

During IDLH ConditionsMust Maintain a Constant Awareness of the Number and Identity of Members Operating in the Hazardous Area, Their Location and Function, and Time of Entry

One Member Is Permitted to Perform Other Duties Outside the IDLH, Provided Constant Communications Are Maintained

Other Duties

Other Duties Are Not Permitted, if by Abandoning Their Critical Task(s) to Assist, or if Necessary, Perform Rescue, They Clearly Jeopardize the Safety and Health of Any Firefighter Working at the Incident

Exceptions to OSHA rule

Strong Indicators of the Need for Rescue

Rapid Intervention Team

The Decision to Evolve From the OSHA Required Two Stand-by Members to One or More RITs Is Incident Driven.

As the Incident Expands in Size or Complexity a RIT Is Designated.

RIT Is Dedicated to Firefighter Rescue.

The RIT Officer

Competent

Has Guidelines to Follow

Disciplined & Focused

The RIT Officer (cont.)

Trained to Meet RIT Expectations

Understands:

If Something Goes Wrong, You’re It!

EMS Protocol

• Get to Victim in 4-6 Minutes

Role of Rapid Intervention Team

Our Highest Priority. . .

Firefighter Rescue

Officers or Members Assigned to RIT Shall Not Get Involved With Routine Firefighting Activities, but Remain in a State of Readiness Keeping Company Members Together and Ready for Deployment

RIT Size-UpType of Building

Extent of Fire

Type of Occupancy

Level of Alarm

Special Hazards

Monitor Radio to Gather Info

On Approach, What Do You See?

RIT On-SceneReport to Operations

IC If Ops Is Not Assigned

Know Strategic Mode & Tactics Being Deployed

Understand Radio & Unit ID“RIT” or “DIV 3 RIT,” Etc.

Communications Model

Message

Sender

Receiver

Interference

Feedback

RIT Size-up is OngoingTake a Lap Around Building

Anticipate Fire Spread

Locate Alternate Entrances & Exits

Place Additional Ladders, If Appropriate

Look for Anything That Might Make Your Job Harder or Easier

RIT Size-up (Cont.)

Anticipate Firefighter Rescue

Establish Crew Position, Tools Needed, & Plan

On Going Process

RIT on the Fireground

RIT Size-up Similar in Function to Safety Officer

Observe the Command Post

RIT Should Have Communications With IC and Interior Crews

Is IC Informed and Under Control, or Confused?

Is Control Sheet/board up to Date?

Observe the Command Post

Does IC Know Location of Resources?

Personnel Accountability System Used Properly?

RIT Is Not Expected to Intervene in ICP, but Needs to Be Aware of Event Development

Know Location of Active Search & Rescue

Crews Are Farthest Out Front

Most Likely to Need Rescue

Observe Rehab

What is Recycle Time In & Out?

What is Firefighter Condition?

Higher Fatigue Increases Need for RIT

RIT Tools

Not for Use by Other Crews

Place at Step-off Location

“Forcible Entry and Exit Tools”

Tools Based on Construction Type

Example of RIT ToolsBasic Hand Tools

Hose Line

Rope Bags (Based on Size of Building)

Personal Drop Bags W/ 75’ of 8mm Rope and Carabineer

Ladders, Saws, Air Bags, Extra Air Supply, High Lift Jack

Specialty Tools

RIT LocationStage Between ICP and Entry Point

If Large Building or Remote ICP, Relocate Closer to Firefighting

Consider Corners of the Building Outside of Any Collapse Zone. This Strong Point of the Structure Also Provides a View of Two Sides of the Building

RIT LocationMultiple RIT’s at Large, Complex Incidents

RIT Reports to Division/Group Supervisor

Minimum Assigned to RIT Is Two

3 to 5 is Preferred

Engine or Truck is Typical

More People or Expertise May Be Assigned as Needed:

Technical Rescue

Medical

HazMat Etc.

Chief Officers Must Have High Expectation of the RIT Officer

Highly Motivated

Strong Leader

Foresight

Resourceful

Well Trained

Motivated Crew

Prepared

The RIT Team Is Not IdleSize-up

Tools

Proactive

Sense of Mission

Not an Aid, Sightseer, or a Go Get It Person

Techniques a RIT Should Know

Approach to Down Firefighter

Firefighter Drags

Firefighter Lift to Window

Firefighter Down a Ladder

Remove SCBA From Firefighter

More Techniques of RIT

Reducing SCBA Profile

Lift Firefighter From a Basement

Self-rescue Techniques

Low Profile Ladder Escape

Wall Breaching

This list of rescue techniques will grow

Based on Local Needs & Innovations

Tactical Considerations of RIT

End of Part Two

SelfSelf--Survival TechniquesSurvival Techniques

Be Prepared for Self-Survival

Equipment

Forcible exit

SCBA entanglement

Prevention

Mental issue

Teamwork

The Best Self Survival is to Prevent a Position of Risk

Read the Fire

Know Building Construction

Teamwork is Essential

Good Communications

No Freelancing

Know ICS Assignment

The Best Self Survival is to Prevent a Position of RiskKnow Your Limitations

Cycle to Rehab When Needed

Self-Survival is Mental

Consider Survival Ahead of Time

Have a Plan

Work As a Team

Never Give up

Think Beyond Normal Limitations

If a Wall Exists, Go Through It!

TeamworkKnow Fire Ground Geography

Your Assignment

Divisions/Groups

Who Is Assigned in Adjacent Divisions

What Are They Doing?

Effective Communications

Radio

With Team

Don’t Yell; Wastes Time and Air

When Wearing an SCBA Lens to Ear;

“Lend an Ear”

Know Your Team Members

Make It Your Goal to Develop Your Engine or Truck Company As an Effective Team.

Know What Each Team Member Is Going to Do Before They Do It, Especially If the Unexpected Happens.

Again … Have a Plan

Never Give Up!

EquipmentTake Hand Tools Into Building

Axe, Haligan, Prying Tools

Train and Know Use of These Tools

They Are Survival Tools

Rope and WebbingCarry Personal Webbing

Know How to Use It for Rescue Techniques

Rope Bag for Emergency Rescue

Length Based on Height, Length, and Depth of Building

Portable RadioOne of Best Tools Ever Provided

Ideally, All Personnel Equipped W/radio

Carry Near EarRemote Mic Is Helpful

Clear Text

Self-Survival Techniques

End of Part Three

Questions and Discussion

HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE TOMORROW!