STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE-WASHINGTON COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Rapid Intervention Team Washington County Fire Department

Scopes:  The scope of this policy is to protect department members in case of a structural collapse or other life-threatening incident.

Purpose:  The purpose of the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is to provide rapid rescue for structural firefighting crews operating at an emergency scene.  The Incident Commander is responsible for establishing the RIT Team during the first alarm assignment of every structural incident.  The RIT Team shall stay as a team until such time as the IC releases them from their assignment.

Terminology:  	RIT- Rapid Intervention Team
PAR-Personnel Accountability Report
“MAYDAY” - A priority radio message that has absolute priority.  All radio traffic must cease until the priority transmission has been given.

Policy:  The RIT Team shall consist of one (1) officer and three (3) firefighters.  The officer is responsible for assembling the minimal equipment required.  A company assigned as the RIT Team must report to the IC with the minimal equipment listed below.  The RIT Team cannot be used to relieve another crew unless a replacement team (RIT) has been established.  The tools and water supply needed by the RIT Team is dependent on location, conditions, extent and involvement of the incident.  The RIT officer will constantly evaluate conditions and monitor all radio communications.

Minimal Equipment:

Orange Tarp (tool placement)			Hand line
S.C.B.A./ face-piece (each member)		2216 Spare bottle
	S.C.B.A-complete with face piece or RIT bag	Irons (flat head axe/Halligan tool)
	Rope 100-ft. minimum				Hand lights
	Thermo Image camera (if available)		Stokes Basket (if available)
	1 officer (Team Leader), 3 firefighters		2-Portable radios 

Based on a size up by the RIT officer other equipment needed may be, but not limited to, folding ladder, saws, spanner belt, or any additional equipment needed and preplan of the building, if available.

If Command or a Sector Officer receives a “MAYDAY” message from a firefighter(s), or looses radio contact with a crew, the IC will immediately request a PAR of all crews operating on the fire ground.  If a crew cannot be contacted they are considered “lost”.  Command will:

1.	Send the RIT to the last know location of the missing firefighter(s).
2.	Request  “MAYDAY” and broadcast that firefighter(s) is missing and every effort shall be made to locate and remove the missing members.
Shift fire ground priorities to locating and removing the lost firefighter(s). Firefighting operations that are controlling the fire shall not be compromised.