2022 - Rapid Intervention Crews

Question 1

Who shall be responsible for maintaining this document.

Answer 1

The Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations or his/her designee

Question 2

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Establishing RIC and assigning appropriate personnel and resources, commensurate with the needs of a particular situation
2. Ensuring the assigned RICs are properly equipped, on-site, and in a state of readiness to react and respond immediately to rescue firefighters
3. Continually evaluating and monitoring the situation, conditions and risks posed to the operating personnel and adjusting the need for additional resources accordingly
4. Ensuring all personnel on the scene are appropriately accounted for

Answer 2

The Incident Commander

Question 3

Who shall be responsible for all search activities related to lost and/or trapped firefighters.

Answer 3

The Rescue Group Leader

Question 4

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Assessing the incident for hazardous and unsafe situations
2. Developing measures for ensuring personnel safety
3. Stopping and/or preventing unsafe acts by TFD personnel

Answer 4

The Incident Safety Officer (ISO)

Question 5

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Leading the search and rescue operation
2. Ensuring RIC members follow established safety policies and procedures
3. Communicating with his/her supervisor regarding conditions and progress

Answer 5

The RIC Leader

Question 6

Who shall be responsible for standing by at an incident in a state of readiness to initiate action to find or rescue lost/trapped firefighter(s).

Answer 6

Rapid intervention crew(s)

Question 7

Two members of the initial arriving crew who are assigned for rapid deployment to rescue lost/trapped firefighters.

Answer 7

Initial rapid intervention crew (IRIC).

Question 8

The control efforts taken by the personnel and resources that are first to arrive at an incident requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of life or serious injury to citizens and/or firefighters.

Answer 8

Initial stage.

Question 9

To make an opening above or opposite the entry point of a structure, creating a draft to allow heat and smoke to be released, permitting firefighters to find and attack the fire.

Answer 9

Ventilation.

Question 10

TFD policy uses rapid intervention crews (RICs) to protect the safety and welfare of personnel operating at emergency incidents where they enter into hazardous areas.
True or false?

Answer 10

True

Question 11

A RIC shall consist of a minimum of:

Answer 11

two (2) personnel.

Question 12

Who shall:
a. Assign RICs only from personnel actually on-scene
b. Clearly establish the assignment of RICs by–
i. Verbalizing the assignment over the operational radio frequency designated for the incident
ii. Receiving confirmation of the assignment from the company assigned to RIC duties
c. Brief the RIC Leader or Rescue Group Leader for the incident
i. The IC may assign the Incident Safety Officer (ISO) to do this briefing if s/he is not available
The briefing shall include the following information:
a. Crew assignments and their locations
b. Entry points used by interior crews and whether they are usable for RIC entry and extrication
c. Amount of fire involvement and fire behavior, fire location and type of contents burning
d. Type of building construction and/or special hazards presented by the building e. Structural stability
f. Type of fire conditions encountered by suppression crews (e.g., high heat, heavy smoke)
g. IC’s strategy and tactics plan (e.g., offensive or defensive) h. Other factors that may affect firefighter safety.

Answer 12

The Incident Commander (IC)

Question 13

The primary objectives of the RIC is to take rapid action to:

Answer 13

a. Find the victim(s) location
b. Mark the victim(s) location
c. Improve survivability chances by–
i. Providing air to the victim(s)
ii. Creating a defendable space around the victim(s)

Question 14

Consider assigning _________ as a Rescue Group Leader to manage the rescue operation and an Incident Safety Officer to assist with monitoring the safety of the rescue operation

Answer 14

a Chief Officer

Question 15

Conduct a PAR from all companies operating on the fireground to ascertain the following:

Answer 15

i. Who is lost/trapped? How many?
ii. What was the last assignment(s) of the firefighter(s)?
iii. What was the last known location of the firefighter(s)?
iv. What is the description of their surroundings?
v. What is their situation (e.g.; low on air, trapped, injured, lost)?

Question 16

Specify the names of the lost/trapped firefighters to all personnel on the scene to ensure the RIC and other on-scene company personnel know exactly who they are looking for.
True or false?

Answer 16

True

Question 17

Ensure a medic unit(s) is in position to immediately treat and transport any rescued firefighter(s)
True or false?

Answer 17

True

Question 18

The first RIC activated shall be lightly outfitted to retain its ability to move quickly and perform a rapid search for the victim(s) location.
True or false?

Answer 18

True

Question 19

In addition, personnel assigned to the RIC shall obtain the two (2) RIC equipment bags and a thermal imaging camera (TIC) from either the Battalion 1 or Battalion 2 vehicle.
True or false?

Answer 19

True

Question 20

The large RIC bag shall contain:

Answer 20

a. SCBA cylinder with regulator and transfill capabilities
b. Extra SCBA facepieces
c. 100 feet of lifeline with carabineer and deployment bag
d. Nomex SCBA cylinder wraps for RIC identification

Question 21

The smaller RIC bag shall contain these items to be used for the following purposes:

Answer 21

a. Chemical light sticks to mark a trapped firefighter’s location, RIC tools, SCBA bottles, paths to the firefighter’s location or hazards for the RIC
b. Aluminized fire blanket to protect/shelter a trapped firefighter
c. Wooden wedges to block open doors to provide quicker exit for lost firefighters or during extrication of a lost/trapped firefighter
d. Lifeline bag containing 100 foot lifeline with carabineer to use as a safety guide rope for searches by RIC, extending a search from a hose line, attaching to a trapped firefighter to mark his/her location and the path to him/her or for hoisting a firefighter
e. Duct tape to attach chemical light sticks to lost/trapped firefighter(s) and their location, tools, the lifeline and to designate full SCBA bottles
f. Wire cutters to cut wire entanglements
g. Medic scissors to cut non-energized wire entanglements or PPE clothing
h. Shortcut and keyhole hand saws with metal and wood blades to use where chain or rescue saws pose too much danger to entrapped firefighter or where power saws will not operate due to heavy smoke conditions
i. Laminated RIC checklists that contain recommendations for equipment to be assembled by the RIC and list of actions to be considered by the RIC
j. RIC tarp; a large yellow vinyl tarp with “RIC TOOLS” identifier on it to indicate tool caches for exclusive use by RIC(s)

Question 22

Upon activation, RIC personnel shall mark all RIC equipment and tools in use, including SCBA cylinders, by:

Answer 22

affixing activated chemical light sticks to them with duct tape.

Question 23

Once a SCBA cylinder is depleted, the RIC who exchanged the empty bottle for a full one shall:

Answer 23

remove the activated chemical light stick.

Question 24

During this reconnaissance, the RIC shall pay particular attention to the following:

Answer 24

a. Building layout
b. Terrain features
c. Entrance and exit points that could be used by the RIC, noting and identifying large doors and windows
d. Fire conditions and structure stability
e. Location of crews
f. Multiple floors
g. Water supply sources for RIC use
h. Hazards that could impede or hinder egress of firefighters from the building (e.g.; security grates over the windows, barricaded doors, etc.)
i. Types of tools or equipment that may be necessary for rescue and/or extrication of lost/trapped firefighters

Question 25

Communications 1. Personnel assigned to the RIC shall monitor ___________ to keep informed about: a. Potential hazards or changing conditions b. RIC activation c. Calls for help by firefighters 2. The assigned radio designation or call sign for the RIC shall be ______ unless otherwise designated by the Incident Commander. 3. Radio communications shall be _____,_____,_____, and _____ a. Only essential communications shall be allowed 4. The RIC and the lost/trapped firefighters shall be on the same radio channel, if possible. a. The Incident Commander shall place the remainder of on-scene personnel on ______

Answer 25

the assigned tactical channel and direct channel 15 radio frequencies “RIC” deliberate, calm, clear and concise. another radio channel

Question 26

Consider using ________________to create a defendable space over or around a lost/trapped firefighter

Answer 26

a distributor nozzle or piercing applicator nozzle

Question 27

Searching for Lost and/or Trapped Firefighters The RIC Leader shall:

Answer 27

a. Maintain either a right wall or left wall search b. Maintain a consistent search method and pattern c. Maintain wall contact at all times d. Keep his/her supervisor informed regarding search conditions and progress

Question 28

For searches involving lost/trapped firefighters with no known last location, the order of searching shall be as follows:

Answer 28

a. Search along the interior of the exterior walls b. Search interior corridors c. Search individual rooms

Question 29

When encountering doors during the search, RIC personnel shall:

Answer 29

a. Block doors in the open position unless it would create adverse fire conditions b. Unlock or force open locked doors c. Close open doors temporarily when fire conditions are in close proximity to the search area

Question 30

RIC personnel shall use the AWARE (Air, Water, A Radio, Extrication) Rescue Plan as follows to increase the survival chances for a lost/trapped firefighter:

Answer 30

a. Provide the victim with a primary and secondary air supply b. Use water from a hose line, distributor nozzles or piercing applicator nozzles to create a defendable space to protect the victim(s), the RIC and the rescue site c. Provide the victim with a properly functioning radio if his/hers is not working i. Provide a dedicated frequency that is monitored and answered by a person assigned specifically to this task d. Notify his/her supervisor at once if extrication is required.

Question 31

Once the RIC reaches the lost/trapped firefighter, the RIC Leader shall perform a situational assessment and report the following information to the Incident Commander:

Answer 31

a. Location of the RIC and victim(s) b. Needs of the RIC c. Necessity for extrication d. Tools/equipment required e. Amount of additional air needed f. Need for hose line(s) to defend the space around the victim and the area of the rescue operation g. Length of time the current RIC will be able to stay at the rescue site before air supply dictates a need for a replacement RIC h. RIC action plan

Question 32

After locating the lost/trapped firefighter and establishing an air supply for him/her, the RIC shall then mark the firefighter’s location, using:

Answer 32

a lifeline and glow stick whenever possible.

Question 33

RIC personnel who have been relieved shall create a detailed diagram that can be used as a “rescue blueprint” for the operation. a. Additional information shall be added as needed to the diagram by each RIC as they are rotated out until the operation is complete True or false?

Answer 33

True

Question 34

After the Rescue 1. After the firefighter is rescued, the Incident Commander shall _________and once again account for all personnel on the scene. 2. After the PAR, the Incident Commander shall re-establish or re-address the __________for the remainder of the original fire. 3. In addition, the Incident Commander shall: a. Replace the original on-scene crews involved in the firefighter rescue with relief personnel as soon as possible b. Consider having the original on-scene personnel leave the scene for ___________

Answer 34

conduct another PAR Incident Action Plan (IAP) defusing or Stress Management Awareness Response Team (SMART) intervention

Question 35

Termination of the RIC 1. The Incident Commander may suspend the assignment and operations of the RIC after s/he and the Incident Safety Officer have thoroughly evaluated the situation and the Incident Commander is assured that hazardous risks to personnel lives, health and safety which would necessitate maintaining a standby RIC are no longer present. 2. The Incident Commander shall __________before standing down the RIC and then announce it over the radio. EXAMPLE: “All personnel accounted for, RIC standing down”

Answer 35

account for all personnel

Question 36

3. The Incident Commander shall make all personnel aware of the RIC termination by __________ 4. Depending on certain circumstances (e.g.; openings in floors, weakened structures) the Incident Commander shall consider keeping the RIC available _______________

Answer 36

3. advising them over the radio frequency being used. 4. while operations such as salvage and overhaul are still active, even after active firefighting and suppression operations have ceased.

Question 37

``` PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING AIR SUPPLY TO LOST/TRAPPED FIREFIGHTER Conscious Firefighter(s) ```

Answer 37

1. Consider shutting off the victim’s PASS device (if activated) to allow communication between the victim and the RIC members. 2. Reassure the downed firefighter by: a. Stating intent to help b. Asking him/her to stay calm and still 3. Determine the level of air remaining in his/her SCBA. 4. If low, replace or transfill his/her SCBA. 5. Assure him/her that if the SCBA low alarm sounds, the RIC is ready to provide him/her with an air supply.

Question 38

``` PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING AIR SUPPLY TO LOST/TRAPPED FIREFIGHTER Unconscious Firefighter(s) ```

Answer 38

1. Shut off the victim’s PASS device to enable communication between RIC members. 2. Determine whether s/he has an air supply. a. Place ear next to exhalation valve and regulator i. Check for victim breathing ii. Check for free-flowing air through the regulator 3. If the victim is not breathing, remove him/her from the scene immediately. 4. If the victim is breathing: a. Check the victim’s SCBA pressure gauge for level of air in SCBA b. Check the victim’s SCBA for damage, particularly damaged or missing facepiece 5. If the victim’s SCBA air supply is low, immediately consider exchanging for a fresh one or transfill with EEBSS.

Question 39

PROCEDURE FOR MARKING THE LOCATION OF A LOST/TRAPPED FIREFIGHTER RIC Members

Answer 39

1. Use duct tape to attach a chemical luminescent light stick to the arm or leg of the victim. 2. Attach a lifeline securely to the victim’s extremity or SCBA harness. a. If a lifeline or rope is not available, use a hose line to mark the victim’s location 3. If it is necessary to more clearly mark the path to the victim, affix additional chemical luminescent light sticks directly to the lifeline. 4. Hand lights and/or flashlights also may be used by leaving them in the victim’s area with the beams of light pointed upwards.