rapid intervention for engine companies
TRANSCRIPT
Rapid
Intervention
for
Engine
Companies
LA County Fire Department
Objectives • Review two-in/two-out policy & procedures.
• Identify rapid intervention crews (RIC)
responsibilities.
• Demonstrate RIC procedures.
• Identify RIC team size-up considerations.
• Discuss RIC team configuration and leader
duties.
• Demonstrate RIC pre-operations.
• Discuss considerations for RIC operations in
large buildings.
• Demonstrate proper command procedures for
firefighter emergencies.
• You've carefully thought out all the angles.
• You've done it a hundred times.
• It comes naturally to you.
• You know what you're doing, its what you've
been trained to do your whole career.
• Nothing could possibly go wrong, right ?
Is this just a routine fire?
Think Again.
Now you’re in trouble.
Who’s coming to get you?
Let’s turn that around.
You’re responding to a confirmed
structure fire. You receive the
assignment of RIC. Everyone’s
shoulders drop.
RIC?!? We don’t want RIC! We
want to fight fire!
Let’s take a brief
moment to
remember why we
need RIC.
Companies should
feel privileged and
honored to receive
the assignment of
RIC.
Now let’s train to be
a well prepared RIC
to help prevent
another name from
being added to that
wall.
When do we need a
RIC and is it
mandatory?
Two-In/Two-Out Crew Policy
NFPA 1500 requires
RIC’s whenever
employees are exposed
to IDLH conditions.
RIC will be
assigned on
all working
structure
fires,
confined
space
rescue,
building
collapse,
trench
collapses,
tunnel fires,
high rise
fires, dive
rescue, and
other high
risk
incidents.
Who establishes
RIC?
Two-In/Two-Out Crew Policy
IC’s Shall:
• Ensure compliance with the Two-In/Two-
Out Rule established by NFPA, OSHA, and
Cal OSHA.
• Establish one Stand-by Crew, preferably
one engine company
• Immediately implement a rapid
intervention operation whenever a
“Mayday” is reported.
(Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 4)
Who is responsible
for RIC?
Overhead personnel shall
ensure compliance with the
“Two-In/Two-Out” rule and
that RIC capabilities are
appropriate for their area of
responsibility. (Volume 10, Chapter 3, Subject 4)
Is one RIC enough?
Multiple RIC’s may be
established when it is
determined that a single
RIC cannot provide timely
intervention.
RIC
vs.
Standby Crew
Standby Crew
A Standby Crew
usually consists of
members from the
first in unit (2 in & 2
out). This should be
considered temporary
until additional
resources arrive to
establish a RIC.
In accordance with NFPA 1500
Article 6-4.4.2, during the initial
stages of an incident (i.e., one
company on-scene), only one
member of a two-person standby
crew may be permitted to perform
other duties such as apparatus
operator, IC, or safety officer.
Standby Crew
Example for a typical 4
person engine:
• Capt. sizes up & passes
command
• Capt. & FF 1 don PPE’s
and assume fire attack
• FF 2 assumes door
control as part of
standby crew
• FFS is 2nd member of
standby crew while
pumping in full PPE
w/SCBA ready
Upon arrival of
additional
resources, the IC
shall designate a
RIC Company with a
RIC Leader.
Squads and/or
EST’s may augment the RIC.
You have received
the assignment of
RIC.
Now what?
RIC PROCEDURES
• RIC Team shall report
to the Command Post
in a full state of
readiness.
• RIC Leader reports to
the IC for status
report, location of
resources,
Division/Group
Supervisors and their
location.
• Obtain Personnel
Accountability
System (PAS) roster
from the IC (can be
obtained from Fire
Office daily by BC).
• RIC Leader assigns a
member to document
the location of
resources.
RIC Leader shall
provide a briefing to
RIC team.
• Current conditions
• Known hazards
• Location of
personnel
• RIC plan of action
for “Mayday”
When an assisting
agency is responding
into Los Angeles
County Fire
Department (LAC)
jurisdiction, a LAC
unit should be utilized
for RIC purposes and
the assisting agency
used for other
assignments.
RIC’s establish an
equipment pool
based on the
potential rescue
problems that may be
encountered at the
incident.
EQUIPMENT POOL
THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA
LIGHTS AND LIGHT STICKS DEBRIS BAG
FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS
EXTRA SCBA
SENSIT GAS DETECTOR AND
TAC STICK (for electrical) ROPE BAG AND DROP BAGS
FLAGGING AND
HAZARD TAPE
APPROPRIATE SAWS
As the RIC, what
information should I
consider when
formulating a plan?
It begins with a RIC
size up.
• What Safety Controls
need to be
established?
• Consider the
survivability profile of
firefighters. Are they
in immediate danger?
If so, let the IC know.
• Do I have an alternate
plan (P.A.C.E.) ?
RIC Team Size-Up
RIC Team Size-Up
What is the fire doing?
SOC/BAG
Building (SOC)
• Size
• Occupancy
• Construction
Fire travel (BAG)
• Where has the fire Been?
• Where the fire is At?
• Where is the fire Going?
RIC Team Size-Up
• Volume-Amount of
smoke
• Velocity-Speed of
smoke
• Density-Thickness
of smoke
• Color-Stage of
heating & what’s
burning
RIC TEAM
CONFIGURATIONS
TEAM CONFIGURATIONS
3 Member Team
#1 - Leader (TIC)
#2 - Search/Rescue
#3 - Anchor/Control
4 Member Team
#1 - Leader (TIC)
#2 - Search/Rescue
#3 - Search/Rescue
#4 - Anchor/Control
TEAM CONFIGURATIONS
5 Member Team
#1 - Leader (TIC)
#2 - Search
#3 - Search
#4 - Rescue
#5 - Anchor / Control
TEAM CONFIGURATIONS
6/7 Member Team
#1 - Manager/Anchor
#2 - Leader
#3 - Navigator (TIC)
#4 - Search
#5 - Search
#6 - Rescue-Air Supply
#7 - Rescue - Extrication
As RIC, be active.
Constantly update your
situational awareness.
This begins with RIC
pre-operations.
SOFTENING THE
STRUCTURE
• Reassess fire ground conditions
(RIC size up is continuous).
• Anticipate and/or forecast
possible exits and entries.
Throw ladders where exits may
be needed.
RIC PRE-OPERATIONS
RIC has now been
activated due to a
Mayday situation.
Put your planning to
work.
Review RIC
videos posted
on Blackboard.
LARGE AREA SEARCH
CONSIDERATIONS
• Difficult to perform
• Requires discipline and training
• Not an exact evolution
• No two areas alike
• Provide multiple points of building egress
• Guard against tunnel vision
• Continually monitor for changing heat
conditions
• Use separate tactical channel
LARGE AREA SEARCH
CONSIDERATIONS • Continually update escape routes based on
predicted fire and crew movement
• Sometimes the rear of the building may be best
access to the Firefighter (Carson Incident)
• Commercial RIC: Establish Safety Controls-
Exits/Ladders/Lights/Location of personnel
• 3-stripe “NO GO” areas (i.e; Facades/Walls)
• Rapid Safety RECON of building and report findings
back to IC and/or Safety Officer
• Augment RIC team as necessary (hazmat, EST, etc.)
• Consider additional RIC Team for large buildings
Expectations of
command during
firefighter
emergencies.
EXPECTATIONS OF COMMAND
Use the tools available to you.
FF MAYDAY / E-TRIGGER ACTIVATION (Command)
Look at radio screen
and document Radio ID.
If time permits, identify
individual using
battalion PAR.
FF MAYDAY / E-TRIGGER ACTIVATION (Command)
Transmit: “All units hold radio traffic for a
MAYDAY. Unit calling Mayday identify.”
Receive & Document WHO • Name(s) & Unit(s)
WHAT • Lost
• Trapped
• Injured
• Low air/SCBA malfunction
WHERE • Floor
• Side
• Area
• Division
• Other
• Reassure the
MAYDAY firefighter
• Advise them to
follow GRAB LIVES
• Talk them through • Stay calm
• Activate PASS
• Control breathing
• Shine light
• Finding an exit
• Feel for hose
• Request additional alarm(s)
• Request additional
ambulance(s)
• Request communications
plan if not yet assigned
• Assign additional
resources to augment RIC
• Establish additional
RIC(s) for operations and
rescue ops
• Command structure;
separate FF emergency
operations from tactical
operations
• Assign RIC Group
supervisor
• Consider different
channel for
suppression operations
–Keep rescue ops on
original channel
–Consider radio
procedures for
assisting agencies
• Don’t abandon the
suppression needs
Re-evaluate the Incident Action Plan
RIC ACTIVATION COMMAND
CONSIDERATIONS
• Building structurally
compromised?
• Fire complicating RIC
operations?
• Can operations affect a
rescue?
• Do fire fighters need rehab?
RIC ACTIVATION COMMAND
CONSIDERATIONS
Terminate the Mayday
• Conduct PAR after rescue confirmed.
• IC terminates Mayday when all accounted for.
• IC confirms all injured firefighters treated and/or transported.
REMEMBER
• Always have two exits.
• Make sure your RIC team knows where these exits are.
• Never put yourself or your RIC team in a position where you have to count on others to get you out.
Director of Training
Battalion Chief Derek Alkonis
LACoFD Training Services Section
(323) 881-2436