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Rapid Intervention Crews. Tactical Considerations. Preparation. You’ve been assigned to RIC; Now what do you do? What are the techniques used to rescue firefighters? This lesson explains the real world of RIC. When do we need RIC?. At the Worst Time!.
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Rapid Intervention Crews Tactical Considerations
Preparation • You’ve been assigned to RIC; Now what do you do? • What are the techniques used to rescue firefighters? • This lesson explains the real world of RIC
When do we need RIC? At the Worst Time!
Reactions of Firefighters when others are lost • Confusion • Prior confusion • Sorting it out • Communications • Job of RIC is to see through confusion
Anxiety & Panic • Human behavior • Unprepared • No control • RIC must be prepared and controlled
Denial • Human reaction to trauma • Shut down • Delay • RIC must push through denial and act!
Retreat • Reactive, not pro-active • Hose line position? • Secondary collapse potential? • RIC must be intelligently aggressive
An Effective RIC is: • Prepared • Equipped • Trained • Properly placed • Expected to overcome
RIC is a combat position • A dynamic working crew • Not a rehab position • Will be busy • Not a specialized team • All personnel trained as RIC • Not a specialized team
A dedicated rescue crew is required • CCR Title 8, Section 5144 (g) • A component of respiratory regulations
OSHA Requires: • Communications Plan • Buddy system • Stand-by Rescue Crew (RIC) during IDLH conditions
Exceptions to OSHA rule • Condition of known rescue • According to OSHA rules, an incipient fire which can be extinguished by a fire extinguisher is not IDLH
The RIC Officer • Competent • Has guidelines to follow • Disciplined & focused • Trained • Understands: • If something goes wrong, you’re it! • EMS protocol • Get to victim in 4-6 minutes
Role of Rapid Intervention Crew Our highest priority. . . Firefighter Rescue
RIC Size-Up • Type of building • Extent of fire • Type of occupancy • Level of alarm • Special hazards • Monitor radio to gather info • On approach, what do you see?
RIC on-scene • Report to Operations • IC if Ops is not assigned • Know strategic mode & tactics being deployed • Understand radio & unit ID • “RIC” or “DIV 3 RIC,” etc.
Communications Model • Message • Sender • Receiver • Interference • Feedback
RIC Size-up is Ongoing • Take a lap around building • Anticipate fire spread • Locate alternate entrances & exits • Place additional ladders • Look for anything that might make your job harder or easier
RIC Size-up Continued • Anticipate firefighter rescue • Establish crew position, tools needed, & plan • On going process
RIC on the Fireground RIC size-up similar in function to Safety Officer
Observe the Command Post • Is IC informed and under control, or confused? • Is control sheet/board up to date? • Does IC know location of resources? • Personnel Accountability System used properly? • RIC should have communications with IC and Interior crews • RIC 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
RIC should observe rehab • What is recycle time in & out? • What is firefighter condition? • Higher fatigue increases need for RIC
RIC Tools • Not for use by other crews • Place at step off location • “Forcible Exit Tools” • Based on construction type
Example of RIC tools • Basic hand tools • Hoseline • Rope bags (based on size of building) • Personal drop bags w/ 75’ of 8mm rope and carabiner • Ladders, saws, air bags, extra air supply, high lift jack • Specialty tools
RIC Location • Stage at or near ICP • May be located closer to firefighting • Multiple RIC’s at large, complex incidents • RIC reports to division/group supervisor
Minimum assigned to RIC is Two • 3 to 5 is preferred • Engine or Truck is typical • More people or expertise may be assigned as needed: • Technical rescue • Medical • Haz mat etc.
Chiefs must have high regard for RIC officer • Highly motivated • Strong leader • Foresight • Resourceful • Well trained • Motivated crew • Prepared
The RIC is not idle • Size-up • Tools • Proactive • Sense of mission • Not an aid, sightseer, or a go get it person
Techniques a RIC should know • Approach to down firefighter • Firefighter drags • Firefighter lift to window • Firefighter down a ladder • Remove SCBA from firefighter
More Techniques of RIC • Reducing SCBA profile • Lift firefighter from a basement • Self-rescue techniques • Ladder bail • Wall breaching
This list of rescue techniques will grow Based on local needs & innovations
The End Tactical Considerations of RIC