Policy: 06-01-04
Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)

Issued By:Suppression

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Purpose
To ensure firefighter safety by establishing a dedicated team of firefighters to initiate an organized rescue effort for lost, trapped or injured firefighters.


Background
As per POG #08-02-05, 2 Rescues will respond to all possible/confirmed structure fires in commercial and residential buildings within the SJRFD Region. - 2 Rescues - 1 Rescue, at the OIC's discretion, will be assigned as RIC A Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) shall be deployed at confirmed fires as an integral part of the SJRFD Management System. A Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) may be deployed at any emergency at the discretion of the OIC at the incident. A RIC shall consist of a minimum of two (2) firefighters. Under normal circumstances, a RIC shall consist of a Fire Lieutenant and a Firefighter as per the normal assignment of personnel to a Rescue in SJRFD. While the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) is strongly committed to providing the safest possible working environment for all SJRFD members, the safety of SJRFD personnel is also the responsibility of each individual member through their knowledge and use of the procedures contained within this Operational Guideline, as well as other Policies and Operational Guidelines. This replaces POG #06-01-04, dated 2010/10/08..


Policy Statement
The RIC, as assigned by the OIC, shall be active once arrive at an emergency incident. On arrival, provide red tag to accountability and check with OIC for any updates to assignment.

All three (3) SJRFD Rescues shall be fully equipped with appropriate protective clothing, radios, SCBA, RIC kits, taglines and any equipment that may be required to perform Rapid Intervention duties.

RIC RESPONSIBILITIES PRE-ARRIVAL
  • Monitor operating channels and note which units are on scene.


RIC RESPONSIBILITIES ON ARRIVAL

The RIC Officer shall report to the Incident Commander (IC) on arrival to ensure the proper radio frequency and RIC staging location.

The RIC Officer shall ensure the following tasks are completed:
  • Red Tag in with Accountability.
  • Have RIC stage near OIC and Accountability.
  • Conduct a 360 walk-around as soon as possible to complete a scene size up, noting building occupancy type and size.
  • Note all the access points including windows and doors, providing egress points by placing ladders to upper storey windows, and removing security bar devices when needed.
  • Note crew/firefighter locations by monitoring the Accountability Board and monitoring the radio frequency.
  • Monitor crew's anticipated point of entry in the event that a firefighter encounters trouble.
  • Watch and listen for signs of trapped firefighters, such as helmets thrown on the ground, PASS activations, Mayday calls, etc.
  • Note any/all freelancing and report to the IC.
  • Have a plan ready with RIC members knowing who is responsible for what task. Initial RIC gear may include but not be limited to; full PPE, SCBA, RIC Kit, tagline, flashlights, thermal imager, radios.
  • At a high rise incident, the staging area for the RIC will usually be on the floor below the fire floor along with Accountability . If conditions on this floor are not tenable, Accountability and RIC should stage two floors below the fire floor.
  • Crews involved in fire operations must take note that the gear staged at the RIC staging is not to be removed from the RIC kit.


Important Note:

With the exception of carrying out the 360 walk arounds, providing for additional egress points when needed, and any further building size- ups, the RIC team shall be staged near Accountability in a ready state to assist an injured or trapped firefighter. RIC members shall not be used for fireground functions other than those stated above.


RIC TEAM DEPLOYMENT
  • At the report of a firefighter “MAYDAY” the IC shall notify RIC immediately by radio or face to face.
  • When a Mayday situation arises the IC shall turn the fire scene over to another Officer and he/she shall continue to handle the Mayday call with RIC.
  • RIC shall move to the point of entry where the lost crew entered and either follow the already laid hoseline, or set up a search rope secured to the outside.
  • RIC search patterns will vary from regular search patterns, as the RIC will be heading for the PASS alarm activation and downed firefighter.
  • RIC shall provide regular radio updates to RIC Command, and immediately notify RIC Command when the lost, trapped, or injured firefighter has been located by using the following benchmarks of RIC:
        RIC DEPLOYED
        FIREFIGHTER LOCATED
        FIREFIGHTER OUTSIDE
  • RIC shall carry out the nine step RIC assessment once a firefighter is located.
  • RIC shall ensure that the AWARE Concept is followed:
        A Air A full air supply buys the firefighter time
        W Water Place a hoseline between the firefighter and the fire
        AR A radio Give the firefighter a radio, this is their lifeline
        E Extrication Begin working on removing the trapped firefighter



ACTIONS OF OTHER PERSONNEL AT THE EMERGENCY INCIDENT

The initial response of most firefighters, upon hearing that another firefighter is trapped, missing or has sustained a life threatening injury (MAYDAY) is to assist in the search. This is the point in time when as firefighters we have to show strict discipline by resisting the urge to help, with the knowledge that a dedicated, informed, specially trained and equipped Rapid Intervention Crew has been deployed to “get them out”.

Some crews may be performing essential tasks such as Fire Attack that will assist the RIC in carrying out their duties and these personnel should remain in place. The IC shall make the decision as to which personnel should and should not leave the controlled area. Any crews left in the controlled area are there to support and protect the RIC.


CONCLUSION OF RIC EMERGENCY

IC, in consultation with RIC Command, shall notify the 911 Communication Center and all personnel at the emergency incident that the firefighter has been found and that the RIC emergency has ended.

NOTE:

All Operational Guidelines are provided as a guideline only and may be altered by the OIC to meet extenuating circumstances.


Approvals
Fire Chief/Director


Responsibility
St. John's Regional Fire Department POG #06-01-04 Approved by: _________________________________________ ________________________ Jerry F. Peach Date Fire Chief Director of Regional Fire and Emergency Services


Appendix/Appendices
None


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