Working Fire Training / Copyright 2004 / Volume 04-1 1 Firefighter Safety & R.I.T. Rescue Techniques Goals of Training Scenario #1 Scenario #2 Scenario.

Working Fire Training / Copyright 2004 / Volume 04-1 1

Firefighter Safety & R.I.T. Rescue Techniques

Goals of Training Scenario #1 Scenario #2 Scenario #3 Discussion Quiz

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I. Goals of TrainingI. Goals of TrainingI. Goals of TrainingI. Goals of Training

Emphasis on communications

Keeping R.I.T. task-oriented and maintaining team integrity

Focusing on objectives


II. CommunicationsII. CommunicationsII. CommunicationsII. Communications

Calling Maydays: How to do it correctly

Communicating with Incident Command (I.C.)


III. Mutual Aid TrainingIII. Mutual Aid Training III. Mutual Aid TrainingIII. Mutual Aid Training

Radio realignment to identical frequencies among mutual aid companies– Realignment of mutual aid

department shifts– Same crews work

identical shifts every day. – Develops camaraderie

and a familiarity level with the same crew and personnel on every shift. Click the video for more information.

SCBA compatibility/adaptability– Bring in entire SCBA change or

change out air bottle if brand is known.


Scenario #1: Firefighter Falls Scenario #1: Firefighter Falls Through FloorThrough FloorScenario #1: Firefighter Falls Scenario #1: Firefighter Falls Through FloorThrough Floor

A safety officer is on scene.

Theatrical smoke is used: - it’s safer than live fire smoke which is highly instructor-intensive- yields the same effect found in a structure fire; only the heat is missing.

Preparation



Instructors are there to observe and give firefighters information about the scenario.

Firefighters should make sure they are ready to go: - SCBA and PPE are in order- Radio is on, charged up, and on the correct frequency.

Preparation:



If a Mayday is called, here’s what should be communicated. For example:– 4810-A , Mayday, Mayday, this is a drill.” – Then give situation and location, air supply, whether

you’re entrapped or exactly what has happened. – Keep your sentences short and to the point, with as

little emotion as possible. – The letter designator after team number refers to

the seat position in the truck. Use your department’s seat letter designation; this clearly identifies which firefighter is calling.

Calling a Mayday



When a Mayday is called, Incident Command (IC) should separate the Mayday operations from the on-going scene operations.

IC, Safety Officer, R.I.T., and the Mayday-caller all stay on same (“captured”) channel, the one the Mayday is called on – even if it’s on the dispatch channel. – In that case, Dispatch will have to move to another

channel.

Calling a Mayday:



Can pass command or assume it.

The key is communicating information, especially back to the I.C.

Good face-to-face communications upon entry is essential.

First-in Company



Upon arrival, do what your department procedure calls for: doing a 360 of the building, laddering upper windows, charging a hose line, etc

As the scenario unfolds, the first-in crew needs to call for relief from low air. – Low-air firefighters must leave or become a

second victim and Mayday situation!

First-in Company



Wait in readiness in case they are needed

Do 360 of structure; notes possible means of exit; throws ladders to upper windows

Lay out rescue tools and equipment for immediate access.

Rapid Intervention Teams (R.I.T.)



Are trained in various low-air rescue situations.– Low-air condition of victim might demand an air pack

or bottle changeover before the victim is removed from the structure.

Click the video formore information.

Rapid Intervention Teams (R.I.T.)



Keep track of personnel in structure; know when enough personnel is enough.

Be aware of durations of crews inside structure; have relief crews constantly ready.

If a Mayday is called, immediately call for another alarm.

If you need something, call Dispatch and get it.

Incident Command (I.C.)



Communications– Often inaudible; keep talk to a minimum. Mayday

must be handled on a separate channel. – Give full firefighter identifier (crew number and

member designator) and a complete description of your predicament.

– Once your task is completed, inform I.C. Immediately.

Debriefing



Rescue Crew– When rescuing a victim from a lower floor, spread

your weight out when close to the hole.

– Listen for cracking timbers or other signs of stress such as flame impingement.

Debriefing



Air Management– Initial rescuer who went into the hole to help victim

was already low on air. Never do that or you may become part of the problem! Call for backup and leave!

Debriefing


Scenario #2: Firefighter Caught Scenario #2: Firefighter Caught in a Collapsein a CollapseScenario #2: Firefighter Caught Scenario #2: Firefighter Caught in a Collapsein a Collapse

Same as Scenario #1

First-in Crew A first-in crew member is caught in a collapse.

A Mayday is immediately called in.– R.I.T. is dispatched.

Click the video for moreinformation.

Preparation



Downed firefighter has to be reached by R.I.T. by breaching a wall from an adjoining apartment after his location was ascertained.Locating the victim may require complete silence. Click the video for more information.

SCBA is changed out with new air pack.

Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.)



Noise Control– Firefighters/rescuers may literally have to stop

breathing in order to hear responses from a trapped and/or separated firefighter.

SCBA Readiness– Either bring a whole SCBA outfit or conversion kits

or switch into whatever brand of SCBA may be involved via a mask change -OR-

– a hot bottle switch if you can do it.

Debriefing


Scenario #3: “Clean” Rescue ofScenario #3: “Clean” Rescue ofDowned Crew LeaderDowned Crew LeaderScenario #3: “Clean” Rescue ofScenario #3: “Clean” Rescue ofDowned Crew LeaderDowned Crew Leader

Crew leader goes down.

Second crew member becomes crew leader.

Immediately upon the loss of the team leader, a Mayday is called.– Medical condition is reported, resulting in the sending

of a Stokes basket.– R.I.T. is dispatched.

First-in Crew



Based on the patient's medical condition, the rescue team must determine whether there’s time for packaging and a bottle change. You may have to bring the patient out on low air if time won't allow a bottle changeover. – Clean package is performed.

– Air supply of patient is adequate; no air pack changeout is necessary.

Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.)



Debriefing ANYTIME a change occurs that might reduce your

team's ability to be viable, call a Mayday. – It's not a questions of ego; it's no reflection on your

crew's lack of ability or inability to control the situation. – If something goes south, you may think you can handle

it as is. But if the situation worsens, things may get out of control to the point where you DO need help, but valuable time will have been lost in which to supply it.


Scenario #3: “Clean” Rescue ofScenario #3: “Clean” Rescue of Crew Leader Crew LeaderScenario #3: “Clean” Rescue ofScenario #3: “Clean” Rescue of Crew Leader Crew Leader

Debriefing I.C. must remember to call for a channel change

following a Mayday declaration.

Good crew rotation due to possible low-air situation. Ladders were thrown in anticipation of Stokes removal.


Department DiscussionDepartment DiscussionDepartment DiscussionDepartment Discussion

The departments involved in this month’s training pose some discussion questions that you can use as discussion-starters in your own department’s training sessions.

How will your department handle these scenarios?



“We tried to make our training scenarios as simple as possible, partly because of the safety issues involved. This includes theatrical smoke. Some departments prefer live-fire smoke. What is your department’s policy and why?”

- Assistant Chief Floyd RennerMetro North Fire District,

St. Louis County Missouri



“Calling for a Mayday should be as routine and as practiced as calling for a pike pole. But the long-standing tradition of ego and machismo forces the perception of a Mayday as an admission of weakness or a screw-up. Do such traditions exist in your department? Do you think such traditions could result in getting someone killed?”

- Captain/T.O. Jim UsryPattonville (MO) Fire District



“Firefighters on low-air can quickly become part of the problem in an incident. Do you work in a mode where firefighters are expected to be replaced with relief teams? What is your department’s protocol on firefighters being relieved? Do you practice SCBA changeouts and air bottle replacements?”

- Captain Geoff FishCommunity Fire Protection District,

St. Louis County Missouri



Rescuing a victim from a lower floor can be extremely dangerous for rescuers as the floor has already proven to be unsafe. Determining floor integrity is essential as it will dictate rescue methods. Does your department practice multiple rescues techniques, such as alternate rigging techniques away from the hole? (Hint: if the victim is conscious, lower a charged hose line and tell him/her to hang on!)”

- Deputy Chief Mark ParrishNormandy (MO) Fire District


Firefighter Safety/Firefighter Safety/R.I.T. Rescue techniques: QuizR.I.T. Rescue techniques: Quiz


Date__________________ Firefighter________________ Chief/T.O.______________ Education Credits _________Select the best answer:

1. True or False In the event that a firefighter goes down, all available firefighters should rush in to help. You can never have too much help.

2. True or False A Mayday should be called any time a situation develops where a crew encounters a non-standard situation that could escalate.

3. True or False Incident Command should realize that a Mayday means more resources are going to be needed immediately.




Select the best answer:

4. Multiple Choice What is the order of a R.I.T. response upon finding a downed firefighter?

a. Turn off PASS device - Inform I.C. - Check ABCs – Check air supply - Inform I.C.

b. Inform I.C. - Turn off PASS device - Check air supply - Inform I.C. - Check ABCs

c. Check air supply - Inform I.C. - Turn off PASS device - Check ABCs - Inform I.C.

d. Inform I.C. - Check air supply - Check ABCs - Inform I.C. - Turn off PASS device

e. None of the above




Select the best answer:

5. Multiple Choice Who stays on the “captured” radio frequency in the event of a Mayday?

a. I.C. - Dispatcher - Mayday-caller - R.I.T.

b. Dispatcher - Safety Officer - R.I.T. - I.C.

c. R.I.T. - Downed Firefighter - Safety Officer - Mayday-caller

d. I.C. - Safety Officer - R.I.T. - Mayday-caller

e. None of the above e. None of the above

(Answers on next slide)


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Thanks so much for viewing Working Fire Training!

See you next month – stay safe!

Answers to quiz on previous slide:1. False 2. True 3. True 4. a. 5. d.

Working Fire Training / Copyright 2004 / Volume 04-1 1 Firefighter Safety & R.I.T. Rescue Techniques Goals of Training Scenario #1 Scenario #2 Scenario.

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