RIT teams do you use them?

[DOC550]

How many department have and use a RIT team? Our department has sent 9 of our FF to a RIT class tought though the national fire academy. This class is a real eye opener if you have never done something like rescueing a down or trapped FF.
Sorry for the repeat if this topic was already talked about.

[mcaldwell]

There are several threads out there on RIT teams. Here's one:

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?threadid=46415

There is also a whole RIT forum located halfway down the main forums page under command post.

FYI, yes we definitely designate personnel to that role at structural fires, but we don't have the specific training yet (you might say it's actually "2-in 2-out" more than RIT since we don't have the special training or equipment). Our teams are currently made up of senior FF's with the most SCBA time and confined space/special rescue training.

We are hoping to get a couple of bodies on the formal course this year, prior to purchasing some RIT specific equipment next year with our new truck.

[CharlieRFDPres]

RIT's in our area

We are in a small rural county, our county chiefs assoc. set up that when theres are working fire with interior attack, another dept. comes in with a pumper and 6 fire fighter RIT team, specially selected members only years of expierence, interior attack cleared,and Fire Fighter Safety and Survival Course minimally.

[MalahatTwo7]

For us, any interior attack will have a RIT in place. We follow the "RIT established in less than 10 min after initial entry" rule, however, normally (only been tested once since my joining cuz we have had only one working structure fire since then - joined 3yrs ago) we have a full crew on scene, and all teams are ready to go before any entry is done.

During our one and only working, 2yrs ago, we had exposure teams working before the entry teams were ready, and RIT was dressing right along with them. The house was unoccupied at the time, the family was out of town.

For our live fire training sessions, RIT is always up and ready before ANYONE GOES IN.

[EoneTiller]

we have a f.a.s.t team aka rit team.our fast team get called out for all structure fires in the county.our fast team uses one of the compartments on our rescue truck for all their equipment.

[Quigger]

I think the city uses R.I.T. and all of the town FDs go with F.A.S.T. which as we all know are the same things.

[firenresq77]

Actually, Quigger, RIT and FAST are different. They both are there to rescue a downed firefighter if the need arises, but the difference lies in their other duties.

Usually a RIT team has no other duties. They usually stand there and do nothing until they are needed to help rescue another firefighter. FAST teams have other things they can do outside of the structure that don't require a whole lot of energy, but are still ready to deploy if needed. They can throw up ladders, pull window AC units, etc....

[nrz2334]

Our county is in the process of adopting a county wide rit program. Were we would call a near by department to be the rit team. A department thetr you normally wouldn't call for Mutual aid so it won't mess up the county wide box alarm/auto mutual aid system that is already in place.

[Quigger]

Ah ok thank you firenresq77 for clearing that up. Ive been told what they both do but forgot that FAST teams do more then RIT teams.

[LACAPT]

We use RIT on all interior attacks. Its always 3 due pump (after a pump and an airial) that takes responcibility for setting up the RIT. We do our own inhouse RIT training and everyone gets our certification. We plan to make it part of our yearly recert for each member.

[Bones42]

Usually a RIT team has no other duties. They usually stand there and do nothing until they are needed to help rescue another firefighter. FAST teams have other things they can do outside of the structure that don't require a whole lot of energy, but are still ready to deploy if needed. They can throw up ladders, pull window AC units, etc

Anyone, no matter what you want to call them, should not just stand there. They should do their own size up, locate entrance/exits, ladder windows, etc. Throwing ladders and removing AC units is simply creating more accessible exit points. When a rescue is needed, the fastest way out is usually the best. That is not the time to be waiting for a ladder or AC unit to be moved.

If your RIT is standing there doing nothing, don't count on them.