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.
Is this just a routine fire? 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?
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.
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 2 nd 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
LIGHTS AND LIGHT STICKS DEBRIS BAG THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA EXTRA SCBA FORCIBLE ENTRY TOOLS
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.
RIC Team 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 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
RIC PRE-OPERATIONS 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 has now been activated due to a Mayday situation. Put your planning to work.
Review RIC videos posted on Blackboard.
LARGE AREA SEARCH Difficult to perform CONSIDERATIONS 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
RIC ACTIVATION COMMAND CONSIDERATIONS Re-evaluate the Incident Action Plan 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