Botsford Fire Dept.
2 In / 2 Out (Rapid Intervention Crew)
Purpose:
The purpose of "2 In / 2 Out" is to enhance fire ground safety for interior firefighting personnel, and to conform to state and federal regulations.
CONN OSHA regulations require a respiratory protection program for fire department personnel who work in atmospheres that are Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). This includes structural firefighting.
Policy:
Whenever Botsford personnel enter an atmosphere that is IDLH, they shall use the buddy system and shall establish a two person rapid intervention team (RIT) for monitoring the safety of the interior crew and be prepared to make an immediate rescue of interior personnel. All department personnel shall comply with this policy.
Procedures:
1. Any post incipient stage interior fire is assumed to be an IDLH atmosphere.
An incipient stage fire is one that is confined to the materials first ignited and can be extinguished using a portable fire extinguisher, a class II standpipe, or a small hose system, and SCBA is not needed to make the attack.
2. Whenever a crew enters an IDLH atmosphere, a buddy system shall be used. A buddy crew shall consist of at least 2 persons. All crew members must wear and use SCBA and a Personal Alarm Device. The members of the crew must be in direct (voice or visual) contact. All crew members must be able to see or hear and understand each other. Radio communication between crew members is not an acceptable substitute for direct communication.
3. Whenever a crew enters an IDLH atmosphere, a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) shall be established outside of the IDLH atmosphere. The RIT shall be trained, equipped, and ready to make an immediate rescue. All RIT personnel shall be wearing SCBA. The primary function of the RIT is firefighter rescue. One member of the RIT shall be assigned to monitor the status of personnel inside the IDLH atmosphere. This person shall not be assigned any other duties. Other members of the RIT may be assigned other duties as long as these duties can be rapidly abandoned, in a safe manner that does not endanger any personnel, to perform a rescue.
4. The RIT member monitoring interior crews shall maintain contact with all interior crews, either by direct voice or visual contact, or using radio communications. He / She shall also be in contact with other RIT members.
5. The RIT shall consist of at least 2 crew members, although 3 or 4 is preferable. The RIT shall monitor fire conditions, communications, building condition, interior crew status, and any other factors affecting the safety of the interior crew. If possible, a RIT member should do a walk around of the building to locate entry and exit points, and to monitor fire and building conditions. The RIT should have on hand any tools they might need to perform a rescue. These tools should not be used for any other purpose.
6. If the size or layout of the building dictates, more than one RIT should be established.
7. The RIT shall operate under the Incident Commander or Operations Officer. In the event that the RIT is needed to make a rescue, a back up RIT shall be established as quickly as possible. The I.C. should be notified whenever entry is made into an IDLH atmosphere.
8. The RIT may be activated to perform a rescue by the I.C. or Operations, or they may self activate. If self activated they shall notify the I. C. or operations that they are making a rescue.
9. Exception to the Policy: The only exception to the 2 In / 2 Out policy is in the case of a known rescue where immediate action could prevent loss of life.
The determination of a known rescue is at the discretion of the I.C., or the crew leader of the first in unit. An example of a known rescue is one where bystanders or a family member states that someone is trapped, or a single family residence showing signs of occupancy during night time hours. The officer making the determination of a known rescue should be able to document his decision making process.
A post incident report of the reasons for the exception shall be made to the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall review the report and if necessary conduct an investigation.