Search, MAYDAY, Rapid Intervention Team, SCBA Review

01/10/2011

Search, MAYDAY, Rapid Search, MAYDAY, Rapid Intervention Team, SCBA ReviewIntervention Team, SCBA ReviewSearch, MAYDAY, Rapid Search, MAYDAY, Rapid Intervention Team, SCBA ReviewIntervention Team, SCBA Review

Even Pro’s Make Mistakes Even Pro’s Make Mistakes Even Pro’s Make Mistakes Even Pro’s Make Mistakes

Search of Burning StructuresSearch of Burning StructuresSearch of Burning StructuresSearch of Burning Structures

•Two-in/two-out: Work in teams of two or moreTwo firefighters standing by immediately outside

•Perform rescue profile before entering

Occupancy type/time of dayFire/smoke conditionsActivity clues

•Maintain awareness of position within a building

Team members stay togetherLeave a light at the entry point

During an interior search, firefighters should stay in contact with a wall. If visibility is hampered, firefighters can reach into the center of the room using a tool or a “human chain” technique.


Crawling, holding on to one another in a straight line (A) is not very productive when searching.

Extending off one another toward the center of an area being searched (B) will allow more area to be covered in a quick manner.

(A)

(B)


Primary SearchPrimary SearchPrimary SearchPrimary Search

•Search for both life and fireConducted prior to fire being controlled

•One of the most dangerous activities

Search areas most likely to have victims

•Visibility often obscured by smoke and darkness•Pause occasionally to listen for victims

Secondary SearchSecondary SearchSecondary SearchSecondary Search

•Conducted when fire is out or under control

Much more thorough since no immediate fire danger

•Search through debris•Search building exterior for victims who have jumped or escaped and are injured•Recommended that different crew perform secondary search•Secondary search must be thorough

Many victims have been missed on search efforts and their bodies discovered after firefighters leave

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Rapid Intervention Team & Rapid Intervention Team & MAYDAY ProceduresMAYDAY ProceduresRapid Intervention Team & Rapid Intervention Team & MAYDAY ProceduresMAYDAY Procedures

SCOPESCOPE

This meets or exceeds the intent of applicable sections within Chapter 6, Emergency Operations, of NFPA 1500, Standards on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. It also intends to meet requirements of the OSHA Respirator Protection Standard 1910.134 and OSHA 2 in/2 out Rule 308-134e.

Rapid Intervention TeamsRapid Intervention TeamsRapid Intervention TeamsRapid Intervention Teams

• Average of 12 firefighters to remove one downed firefightersAs many as 20 percent become victims themselves

• Five goals:Locate firefighterAssess condition and environmentProvide emergency air supplyCall for additional teams and resourcesAttempt to remove firefighter


PurposePurpose

The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to outline the procedures for members entering an IDLH atmosphere or working in and environment recognized to be unstable.


DEFINITIONS:DEFINITIONS: IDLH IDLH

•Immediately dangerous to life or health•Oxygen level below 19.5%•Lower explosive limits in excess of 10%•Toxins in excess of the Permissible Exposure Level•Confined space, collapse or any other situation recognized to be unstable and could cause injury.


DEFINITIONS: IDLHDEFINITIONS: IDLH

•An atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life

•Would cause irreversible adverse health effects or would impair an individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere.


Personal Accountability Report Personal Accountability Report (PAR)(PAR)

•Report given to Command or Operations that all members of the crew are accounted for.

•Periodically completed to check on personnel.


Personal Accountability Report Personal Accountability Report (PAR)(PAR)

ExampleExample“Command to unit 3106 PAR?”

“Unit 3106 to Command we are PAR w/four.”


MAYDAYMAYDAYA verbal notification to the IC that immediate action is required to rescue or assist emergency personnel operating in emergency incidents.

May be declared by the individual(s) in trouble or someone who identifies an individual(s) is in trouble.


MAYDAYMAYDAYUse LUNAR format

L Bathroom A/B side 1st Division U 3240N Badluck TommyA Primary Search left handedR Air, I am at 1000 and bolt / wire cutters

Activate PASS After Radio Report


RIT Kit: (Rescue equipment) RIT Kit: (Rescue equipment)

RIT Kit to have as a minimum the following equipment. SCBA cylinder, spare mask, regulator, flashlight, search rope, door chocks and wire cutters.


IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION::

RIT shall be implemented during the initial stages of an incident.

Multiple RITs may be established on large incidents (numbers assigned like sectors)

After RIT surveys the incident scene, RIT shall gather and/or call for any additional tools or equipment, not carried in the RIT Kit that may be needed to affect a rescue.


IMPLEMENTATION:IMPLEMENTATION:

RIT shall place the equipment on a tarp in their designated sector.


IMPLEMENTATION:IMPLEMENTATION:

RIT members, may be utilized for other support activities at the incident.

HOWEVER, these activities shall not, if abandoned due to rescue operations, place any personnel at additional risks.


Entry Team:Entry Team:

No Entry Team shall enter into an IDLH until RIT has been established. (See Exceptions to Two-In/Two-Out)


Exceptions to Two-In/Two-Out:Exceptions to Two-In/Two-Out:

If the initial attack personnel find a known life hazard situation where immediate action could prevent the loss of life, deviation from the two-in/two-out standard may be permitted.


IMPLEMENTATION:IMPLEMENTATION:RIT members must maintain visual or voice contact with one another at all times.RIT shall announce, via radio to the IC, that RIT has been established. RIT members shall utilize the information from their on-going scene size-up to help determine the type of rescue that they may encounter.If rescue operations are initiated without an RIT in place, Command shall be notified and an RIT shall be established as available crews can be assigned.


Rapid Intervention ProceduresRapid Intervention Procedures

RIT will only be deployed upon orders from the Incident Commander (IC)

A backup RIT shall be established whenever the initial RIT is deployed.


Rapid Intervention ImplementationRapid Intervention Implementation

RIT shall be deployed to the last known location of the lost or trapped personnel.

RIT should follow hose lines or routine search patterns and consider standard operating tactics while searching for lost personnel.

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When RIT locates a downed firefighter(s) they shall notify IC, their location and status.

RIT shall advise the actions being taken to remove them or if additional assistance is needed.

If a self-rescue or a quick grab and go rescue is not possible, RIT members shall use the “AWARE” principle.


AWARE Principle:AWARE Principle:

1. Air: RIT should first provide the victim with a redundant (primary & secondary) supply of air.2. Water: If the rescue involves fire, the next consideration is to provide a defensible space for the victim by using a hose line or distributor to protect the victim.

Trapped emergency responder’s hopes of survival depend on the following four critical needs.


AWARE Principle:AWARE Principle:

3. A Radio: If the victim is conscious and able to communicate, RIT may want to provide the trapped victim with a transceiver to monitor his condition. Depending upon the size of the incident, a separate radio channel may be designated for the victim to use.

4. Extrication: Removal of the victim.



RIT should give the estimated time it will take to complete the rescue and advise the RIT Group Leader or Command of their plan.

The RIT Group Leader shall assign additional Rapid Intervention Teams to assist as needed.


Termination of RIT:Termination of RIT: RIT can only be terminated when

the incident does not meet one of the definitions of an IDLH.

Or when responders are not in a Confined space, collapse or any other situation recognized to be unstable that could cause injury.

Victim Removal, Drags,Victim Removal, Drags,and Carriesand CarriesVictim Removal, Drags,Victim Removal, Drags,and Carriesand Carries

Victims removed carefully and expeditiously

Do not cause any further injuryRescue situations sometimes prevent rescuer from using all the care a person would likeAll carries and drags place additional stress on rescuer’s musculoskeletal system

Tighten core muscles around hips, back, torsoKeep spine in neutral positionUse legs and buttocks for leverage and lifting power

INTEGRATED PASSINTEGRATED PASSINTEGRATED PASSINTEGRATED PASS

Reset buttonYellow buttonSide of PASS

De-activation of full-alarmPress reset button twice slowly

De-activation of PASSTurn off cylinderVent residual pressure from regulatorPress reset button twice slowly

Two tone chirp

HEADS-UP DISPLAY (HUD)HEADS-UP DISPLAY (HUD)HEADS-UP DISPLAY (HUD)HEADS-UP DISPLAY (HUD)

Visual display of SCBA air statusSeries of lights indicate pressure

Full - 2 green75% - 1 green50% - 1 yellow slow flashing25% - 1 red rapid flashing

Mounted on regulator


QuestionsQuestions

Documents

Search, MAYDAY, Rapid Intervention Team, SCBA Review