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RIT Not Needed
In talking with a Chief from a nearby department, his philosophy is that if he needs assistance for a fallen firefighter, he will call for another pumper. That pumper usually rides with 3 members, none of whom have any specific training on rescuing our own. The is a paid department of moderate size and I am looking at what others might think regarding this. To put it mildly, I was shocked and sickened. Does this happen in your area?
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When I read things like this, I remind myself that there are so many chief officers out there that are clueless and many firefighters that have more training than chiefs. It sounds like that department needs to make minimal standards for what a chief should know before becoming chief because he obvoiusly has no idea about RIT and how it should be run! God watch over the men and woman who have to work under his command!!!
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It can all be summed-up this way, giving the chief the benefit of doubt: IGNORANCE. Let's all hope this is an isolated occurrence but I'm sure that there are people in positions of power who simply got there by mistake.
The question that I would like to know is if his troops are aware of his opinion.....
Joe Pechacek
Hamilton Fire Department
Hamilton, NYComment
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I'M SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE HEARD THIS FROM TIME TO TIME (TWENTY YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS A ROOKIE WE DID NOY USE A RIT TEAM, SO WHY DO WE NEED THEM NOW.)THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF NOT WANTING TO CHANGE.
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Some people (Chief's) just don't get it.
If the concept is foreign to them, then it must be no good. Years ago, an old chief said to me about ICS - "We already have ICS, we take the front of the building and the next due companys take the rear. It's worked for years. We don't need no charts and vests."
Same for FAST/RIT; I've been told, just another excuse to call for manpower. What are you going to do with all the FF's on the fireground?"
I don't know about you, but I haven't been to too many scenes these days where there is a ton of FF's standing around, "buffing".
If they do not understand the concept, then it must be no good. We need to get through some of this thick gray matter that sits under some white helmets, and educate these fossils in the ways of the world.
I bet the chief in the example still uses 2-1/2 inch supply line because it worked real well in the 40's.
Just one white hat's opinion....
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Dep Chief RF DuvalComment
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Chief Duval,
You are 100% correct. 2.5 inch supply lines! Can't get anymore archaic.Comment
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