A Course Designed to Save Firefighters Lives Firefighter Survival Course A Course Designed to Save Firefighters Lives

Firefighter Survival Course Course Introduction Instructors B/C Forest Reeder Lt. Mike Grazian FF/PM Ken Brucki Program Goals Orientation to concepts of self rescue and rapid intervention Review of actual scenarios Practical experience Train the Trainer focus Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Course References Illinois Fire Service Institute - Saving Our Own Program Firefighter Survival - John Sulka, FDNY Firefighter Safety and Survival - USFA / NIOSH / NFPA Reports Personal Experiences and Case Studies Training Firefighter Survival Course

Common Factors in Firefighter Fatalities and Injuries Lost or separated from team Hotter Fires Malfunctioning SCBA Inactivated PASS device Lack of knowledge of self-rescue techniques Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Course Objectives Classroom Understand the concepts of self-rescue Understand the process of rapid intervention teams Understand the responsibilities of the RIT officer and team members Identify some of the basic tools required for SR and RIT Practical Exercises Self-Rescue Techniques Size-up for RIT Rapid Intervention Scenarios Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Self Rescue Concepts Before Rapid Intervention even begins, firefighters must posses the ability to begin to remove themselves from mechanisms that have trapped them Wires Debris Occupancy Hose Slide Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Rescue Scenarios Self Team assisted Quick exit using hose slide SCBA onto unconscious FF Firefighter Survival Course

Skills Necessary for Self Rescue Knowledge of Building Construction Fire Spread and Fire Behavior How to Call for Help Mayday, Emergency Traffic Where are you in building How to find the FASTEST way out Turnout gear protects for only seconds in flashover Low air means time to get out No more primary, secondary or firefighting operations Firefighter Survival Course

Personal Equipment Suggested Equipment for Self-Survival Should be available to EACH firefighter Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Self Rescue Scenarios Must be able to tie handcuff knot around self or downed firefighter (RIT) Firefighter Survival Course

Self Rescue Scenarios Ladder Bail-out Was ladder placed for rescue, by RIT, or for ventilation? Firefighter Survival Course

Self Rescue Scenarios Getting into a safe refuge area FDNY found this most overlooked Firefighter Survival Course

Self Rescue Scenarios Performed with minimum equipment Firefighter Survival Course

Self Rescue Scenarios $5.00 - $10.00 Cable TV, Phone, Ceiling Support, Flex Duct Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Skills Training Quarterly review of these lifesaving skills is a must: Donning / Doffing of SCBA (Reduced Profile Maneuver) Other product specific advanced SCBA techniques; quick fill Tying of basic rescue knots Bowline around self Handcuff knot Activation of RIT Mayday or Emergency Traffic Release from obstructions techniques Swim Method for wire, use of sidecutters Hose direction identification by couplings Safety and Survival Drills Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Rapid Intervention Teams Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Firefighter Survival Course

Cover of Trapped Firefighter Rapid Intervention Teams Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Basic Concepts A function of Command Assembled in teams of 2 or more Bring rescue equipment to Command Perform own size-up of scene May do other functions as long as available immediately Most important assignment given to a company Protect and rescue firefighters Firefighter Survival Course

Personal Skills Required for RIT Assignment Size-up Skills Building Construction Fire Spread and Behavior Communications Aggressive “Can-do” spirit Use of multiple types of tools and equipment Ability to act fast under poor conditions ATTITUDE ATTITUDE Firefighter Survival Course

Team Skills Required for RIT Assignment Must be familiar with all aspects of assignment Fireground is not the place to learn Preparation in training will begin process Ability to function as a team Identification of key tasks and positions Firefighter Survival Course

NFPA Requirements for RIT Firefighter Survival Course

OSHA 2 in / 2 out Compliance A Rapid Intervention Team should fulfill the requirements as specified in the 29 CFR Part 1910.134 regulation A minimum of four individuals is required before entry into the hazard area (interior operations) may begin Two of the four must be present and ready outside the hazard area Must be identically equipped Crews in hazard area must remain in either voice, visual or tethered contact with each other at all times Radio may not be substituted for direct visual contact Firefighter Survival Course

The Beginning of Self-Rescue and RIT FDNY and Philadelphia Found common denominators in many situations No quick way to mobilize firefighters to rescue our own Many names for RIT Firefighter Assist Team, Rapid Intervention Crew, Firefighter Rescue Team, etc. Idea is still the same Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Case Histories Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Memphis, Tennessee Denver, Colorado Columbus, Ohio Burr Ridge, IL Other of note not included in this presentation Hackensack, NJ Seattle, WA Philadelphia, PA New York, NY Must Know Info. Firefighter Survival Course

Case Histories Pittsburgh 3 Firefighters Killed Three Pittsburgh firefighters died on Feb 14, 1995 died at a dwelling fire after they were unable to escape the interior of a building. All three firefighters were together in one room and had exhausted their air supplies. - 3 other firefighter were rescued from same room, accountability did not identify all who were lost. - All 3 had PASS devices that were not activated - No RIT available to rescue lost and trapped firefighters Firefighter Survival Course

Case Histories Memphis High-Rise Kills 2 Firefighters 2 Memphis Firefighters will killed on April 11, 1994 in a high-rise fire. Both firefighters died when trapped on the fire floor of this building. 1 firefighter became trapped by cable TV wire which had fallen from the ceiling area and wrapped around his SCBA bottle. - Both firefighters became separated from each other and ran out of air. PASS devices were worn but never activated. - Rescue crews lacked understanding of position of trapped firefighters and crawled right past one member Firefighter Survival Course

Case Histories Denver Office Fire Kills 1 Firefighter A Denver firefighter was killed on September 28, 1982 when he became trapped inside the structure by the failure of lightweight construction members. Numerous attempts at rescue from a confined space through a window frame were unsuccessful. - Firefighter was separated from his crew when collapse occurred. - Rescue crews were unable to assist firefighter through window. - Limited visibility and victim position were factors in the rescue attempt. Firefighter Survival Course

Case Histories Columbus Commercial Fire Kills 1 Firefighter A firefighter was killed when he fell through a hole in the floor of a mixed commercial occupancy on July 25, 1987. This firefighter was located early into his entrapment and despite many heroic efforts to rescue him, firefighters were unable to remove him from the hole he had fallen through. - Numerous attempts to pull and lift firefighter were unsuccessful - Self-rescue techniques did not work due to altered mental status - Crews had to abandon structure with firefighter still trapped inside Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Case Histories Pleasantview Firefighter Killed in Single Family Dwelling On December 6, 1989, Lt. Joseph Samec died while battling a residential house fire in Burr Ridge, IL. Lt. Samec and his crew tried to rapidly exit the structure due to heavy involvement of the basement when the floor collapsed. - Rescue attempts included face to face and holding of arms/hands were unsuccessful. - Lt. Samec breached two walls in his attempt to escape but failed to make the stairs and was found face down on the staircase. Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Case Studies - Summary May Joe Samec, John Nance, Mark Langvardt, and the 100 other firefighters who have make the SUPREME SACRAFICE every year rest in peace forever. Their memory serves as a catalyst for how and why we train We must learn for these tragedies and every “near-miss” that occurs We must revisit these occurrences as often as possible Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Referenced from NFPA 1500, 1992 Edition Now in use nationwide as the ultimate in firefighter life safety procedures Provides for the rescue of lost, trapped or injured firefighters Allows Command to have outside tasks completed while RIT crew is in the standby mode Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Definition RIT’s are crews of at least two members who may be called upon to supply rescue techniques to other firefighters operating a the scene of an emergency. These crews will have at least the same level of training and protective equipment as those operating at the scene. Firefighter Survival Course

General Purpose of Rapid Intervention Teams Provide for the establishment of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) within the Incident Management System Essential function of COMMAND Allows for dedicated company assigned to this function Meets current federal and local regulatory requirements One of the last industries to apply rescue of our own to work place Work Place = Emergency Scene Firefighter Survival Course

When to have a Rapid Intervention Team Utilized at any time firefighters are at risk structural firefighting* hazardous materials response technical rescue water rescue or recovery *during attack and hazard operations Firefighter Survival Course

Objectives of a Rapid Intervention Team Objectives of RIT Establish a means of effectively assisting members suddenly threatened by a dangerous situation at an emergency incident Provide a means for the IC to initiate an immediate rescue effort. Firefighter Survival Course

Assigning Rapid Intervention Teams Dispatch of Equipment-Assignment to RIT IC should establish the RIT’S whenever FD personnel are required to operate under hazardous conditions. The composition and structure of RIT should be flexible based on the size and complexity of operations. The IC shall evaluate the situation and risks to operating teams and shall provide more teams commensurate with the needs of the situation Some scenes may require the establishment of more than one team Size of structure or complexity of structure Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams In the initial stages of an accident, the RIT shall be either: On scene personnel designated and dedicated as RIT On scene personnel performing other functions but ready to redeploy to perform RIT functions As the incident expands in size or complexity, the RIT’s shall be on scene personnel dedicated to that function Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Reporting to the Fireground Companies designated as RIT will bypass staging, and report directly to the IC Companies designated as RIT must park their apparatus so as not to interfere with fireground operations Must bring minimum specified equipment and be prepared for immediate entry into incident area if required Additional equipment may be required after RIT completes own size-up of scene Incident Command must supply WHATEVER is determined to be needed Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Teams Command Notes If used for other tactical assignments, the RIT must be replaced another crew May be used to secure utilities Force exit/entry around structure Don’t place into position where deployment would be delayed If the need for rescue is diminished, the RIT may be assigned to other tasks Firefighter Survival Course

Primary Tasks for RIT’s Respond to any firefighter reported in distress Assess the need for ground ladders Monitor radio and maintain contact with IC for quick response if needed Assess where ff. personnel are located in the structure and any special tasks they are performing Size up structure, walk building to determine these factors Appropriate tools carried by members Firefighter Survival Course

Rapid Intervention Team Equipment Minimum Suggested Equipment Flat head axe/halligan tool Sledge hammer or maul Search rope, 150’ minimum Portable saws Hand lights Ground ladders Oxygen/EMS Portable radios SCBA complete SCBA spare bottles Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course Equipment Note Key word is RAPID. Don’t overload the personnel. Equipment must be available and RIT’s have priority to use it. Use pre-arranged bags or kits with most equipment pre-packed and ready to go. Saves time when arriving on fireground Firefighter Survival Course

Firefighter Survival Course RIT Size-up Skills Fire Eng. Jan 1998, R. Lasky, B. Hoff Building Dimension Occupancy Construction Type Placement of windows, doors, escapes, porches, etc. Tactics Offensive, Defensive, Defensive to Offensive Command Operations in place Ladders and Truck Operations Time of Operations Firefighter Survival Course

Equipment - Wood Frame, Heavy Timber, Ordinary Pickhead axes and pikes Circular wood-blade saw Ventilation chain saw Halligan and sledgehammer Search rope SCBA and extra supply Charged hoseline Ground ladders Firefighter Survival Course

Equipment - Noncombustible/Fire Resistive Halligan bars Sledgehammers Circular metal-blade saw Torches Search rope SCBA and extra supply Charged hoseline Ground ladders Firefighter Survival Course

Other Size-up Considerations Check with rehab officer on condition of firefighters Check with Safety Officer and compare information Relocate or add another RIT Potential collapse and collapse area EMS for the RIT available Firefighter Survival Course

RIT Size-up of a Structure Firefighter Survival Course

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Command Mode Slide 1 1-58

Firefighter Survival Course Tips from the “Pros” Firefighter Survival Course

Special Thanks and Acknowledgements All Fallen Firefighters, Their Sprit Lives In Us Forever Saving Our Own - Illinois Fire Service Institute Getting Out Alive - Fire Department New York City Firefighter Survival - Phoenix AZ, FDNY Elgin IL - Regional Fire Academy Firefighter Survival Program Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors Pleasantview Fire Protection District Firefighter Survival Course