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Take a look at the image to the right. Nary a line has deployed at this fire, at least on this side of the building. But you’ve been dispatched as the RIT team for this call. What type of company you are (engine, truck, rescue) doesn’t matter. If you’re on the dispatch, you should have all the tools, specialized or not, necessary to carry out your duties as the RIT team at this fire. A few minutes into the fire, you’re given the order to go in service as the RIT. Given the conditions in the image:
- Describe your size-up as a RIT for this incident.
- What tools are necessary for RIT Operations?
- What are the primary tasks assigned to the RIT?
- Where are the primary access points?
- What secondary activities can be done after completion of your primary assignments?
Discuss the above questions with your assembled crew, or hand out the questions and give members some time to answer them according to the image. Being able to answer these questions is critical to a RIT. Ensuring that your RIT members are thinking about the above questions at every response is equally as critical. More and more companies have RITs automatically dispatched for working fires or with the initial dispatch to a structure fire. More often than not, the services of the RIT aren’t necessary, but do not be lulled into complacency. Ask yourself the above questions on every RIT response of which you are a part. Ask them when you’re not part of a RIT as well.
For an image covering a different scenario and a list of officer/crew activities for after this initial exercise, visit http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/drills/FCC%20Vol%201-9%20RIT%20Assignment.pdf.
