Does your department's RIT teams go in with a hose line?

[Dibbs12]

The title pretty much says it all, also what is your departments reasoning. Some people in my dept think the RIT team should always go in with a charged hose line when attempting a rescue, they use that as an argument against buying search rope for the RIT team to use. To me it seems like you should have the option of rope or a hose line depending on the situation.

[CKirk922]

Upper management seems to think likewise. I like the idea of a can. I agree with your assessment, prima faci, according to conditions.

The backup line is there to assist in suppression.

What is the point with the hoseline? Shouldn't the objective be to put a line between the fire and those in harms way?

If RIT is being employed, quick removal is the goal. If ya gotta fight fire and pull out the victim, ya ain't likely gonna do both at the same time...

One team with a hose (if needed), and one team to rescue the downed member(s).

Just my opinion..

[len1582]

What if there's no fire, like at a collapse? Do they still think a line is needed? If an engine company calls a MAYDAY they should already have a line there. If the call for help is on a 4th-5th floor dragging a line takes time. Remember what the "R" stands for.
Also, all calls for help are not in the fire area. You might be dragging in a tool you won't need, and leaving a needed one behind.

[FireMedic049]

Personally, I like the idea of assigning an Engine Company to support the RIT if you have the resources. That way the RIT can focus on the rescue and the Engine Company can focus on protecting them and the downed FF(s) without specifically having to pull resources from suppression activities.

[shmarleybarlow]

The people who say this (hose line with RIT) unfortunately are the people who have very little if any actual experience with RIT or truck ops for that matter.

If they walked the walk and did this even once, they'd grasp that there is no place for dragging a hose line with you as well. R for rapid, I for intervention...

RIT of all things is no place to cross the line between engine and rescue.

[nameless]

If needed additional manpower should be assigned to bring a line. The RIT team needs to be able to move quickly, also many instances my not even be helped by bringing a line.

[ChiefKN]

Our policy is that all units will continue to operate and perform the task they were assigned unless an evacuation is called for.

No, our FAST will not take a hoseline in with them (as a general rule).

[Bones42]

Our policy is that all units will continue to operate and perform the task they were assigned unless an evacuation is called for.

No, our FAST will not take a hoseline in with them (as a general rule).

Same here.

[mikeyboy411]

How I Run RIT

On my Crew if we are assigned RIT/RIC, we will pull a line and have it ready if needed. We are also a "Dynamic RIT" so we soften the building, perform our RIT 360, pull our tools, constantly update our position and move with the Fire Attack Team, throw ladders if the Fire Attack Team is operating on an upper floor and I give my Rescue Assignments before we are activated.

If we are activated, if we are going to pass the bulk of the fire then we will take the hose line with us. If we are not going to encounter the fire, then we leave it. When we take the line, it is not for complete fire suppression it is for the protection of our Rescue Team and our Victim. Once the Rescue Team is out of the area, the line is left so that another Fire Attack Team can follow it and extinguish the fire.

Crews that don't take the RIT/RIC Assignment seriously are a disappointment to me.....

[FiremanLyman]

Remembering a while back the terms RIT line and Backup line were blurred together. Just clarifying those are two separate lines.

We drop a handline for the RIT team. It is not required to be taken in with the RIT team if they are deployed to rescue a firefighter. It is there if needed... say the mayday is for a crew who's egress is blocked by fire. Putting this line on the ground is a good tactic in my mind, as it saves time and effort later if needed quickly in an emergency. Again, it is not expected to enter with the team unless the situation dictates.

[FiremanLyman]

Personally, I like the idea of assigning an Engine Company to support the RIT if you have the resources. That way the RIT can focus on the rescue and the Engine Company can focus on protecting them and the downed FF(s) without specifically having to pull resources from suppression activities.

I like this, unfortunately, manpower restrictions do not make this option available to many.

[FIREguy2011]

The title pretty much says it all, also what is your departments reasoning. Some people in my dept think the RIT team should always go in with a charged hose line when attempting a rescue, they use that as an argument against buying search rope for the RIT team to use. To me it seems like you should have the option of rope or a hose line depending on the situation.

We usually have at least two attack lines going and one RIC standing by, the RIC is too extract the downed firefighters YESTERDAY, not to fight fire. That's where the other attack line comes in, in collapses, we will shut down all lines except for a safety line and begin rescue efforts and needed. We do carry two search lines, a 100' and a 200' utility rope, in addition to the personal tool each crew member carries.

[LaFireEducator]

Situation dependant.

I'll be honest and say that in most structure fire situations, we do not have a Rapid Intervention Team in place.

Given that the vast majority of our fires are homes - either mobile or site built -of 2000 sf or less, there is already more than likely a line and a team in close proximity to a downed firefighter. In most cases, if that situation occurred, a member or team already inside would locate the member before RIT even got into the building, and unless there was a significant issue, would assist the member or remove the member.

In a commercial building, the call of a hoseline, search rope or free-search would be the call of the IC, and would be dependent on a number of factors, including the nature of the RIT emergency and manpower available for the operation.

[FiremanLyman]

I'll be honest and say that in most structure fire situations, we do not have a Rapid Intervention Team in place.

Don't need one if you don't go interior... Wanted to be the first to say it.

[BlitzfireSolo]

Obviously a hose team should be assigned with the RIT whenever necessary (perhaps even "always"), but otherwise it's like having the primary search team take a hoseline with them: Are you trying to get there in time to save a life, or just hump another hoseline along?