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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9

RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

PURPOSE

1. To familiarize Seattle Fire Department personnel with the concepts that apply
to rapidly locating and extracting or, if necessary, supporting in place
firefighters who are injured or trapped in hazardous environments.

2. To provide specific direction to supervisors and incident commanders so they

may better manage the risks associated with this hazardous and critical
function.

REFERENCES

1. Seattle Fire Department Operating Guideline 5012

“Incident Operations – Rapid Intervention”

2. Washington Administrative Codes 296-305-05001

“Emergency Fireground Operations – Structural”

3. National Fire Protection Association (Proposed) Standard 1710

4. A.W.A.R.E. by Jay Olsen; Fire Engineering

DEFINITIONS

Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) – A minimum of two firefighters in the initial
stage of a structural fire attack, who do not enter the structure. This allows two or
more other members to begin interior structural firefighting. This will satisfy the two-
in/two-out requirement. They are fully equipped with protective gear and SCBA.
They are permitted to perform other fireground duties, but these duties must not
interfere with ability to initiate a rescue effort. They must remain aware of the status
of the interior teams and stay in “positive communication” with them. By law, the only
exception to this two-out requirement for a standby team is where help can
reasonably be expected and there is information leading you to believe there is life
hazard where immediate actions could prevent the loss of life.

Rapid Intervention Company (RIC) – A Company specifically assigned to the job

of rescuing firefighters. The RIC must be prepared to perform a variety of rescue
tasks under physical and mental extremes. Their responsibility at the emergency
scene is to prepare for the possibility that a firefighter will become injured or trapped
and cannot escape on his/her own. They must be capable of locating the firefighter
and extricating them or protecting them in place until they can be brought to safety.

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RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

A RIC is capable of performing light rescue. This RIC, with a minimum of three
people, will typically be an Engine from the first alarm assignment, but the
designation of a RIC should not be at the expense of initial tactical objective
assignments. The size or number of RIC‟s should be based on the needs and
geography of the incident. The radio designator will be „RIC‟ or may reflect a
geographic location if multiple RIC‟s are formed, i.e. „Division Bravo RIC‟

Rapid Intervention Group (Intervention Group) – When the incident risk

assessment warrants an increased firefighter rescue capability, an Intervention
Group should be established. This group will consist of a minimum of seven
firefighters and typically be comprised of an engine and a ladder. This ladder
company will be in addition to resources called for fire control. This group will be
capable of heavy rescue actions. One of the two company officers will become the
Intervention Group Supervisor. The Intervention Group radio designator will be
simply “Intervention Group”. A separate rescue group may have been established for
civilian rescue.

Some examples of when an Intervention Group might be established could include:

 When the initial tactics are not significantly effective after 10 minutes
 The fire has progressed to the structure
 A fire in a high-rise or large commercial structure
 Partial building collapse
 Firefighter MAYDAY
 Dangerous building or known arson threat
 Whenever the IC determines that it is necessary

Rapid Intervention Guidelines – A standardized method allowing the Intervention

resources and other fireground personnel to prepare for and carry out firefighter
rescues safely and effectively. This procedure should include these steps:

 Size-up for rescue

 Pre-position personnel and equipment
 Initiate the rescue within the command structure
 Search and locate the firefighter(s)
 Extricate the firefighter(s) and intervention teams
 Protect firefighter(s) using the A.W.A.R.E. concept

The goal of each step is to avoid delays and confusion that contribute to a failed
rescue attempt.

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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9
RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

GENERAL INFORMATION

The job of Intervention is the most important of fireground assignments. It requires

an aggressive yet carefully coordinated response. The lack of a coherent procedure
or plan has been the most common element of failed firefighter rescue attempts.
Implementing a well thought out plan, using practiced procedures, reduces risks and
offers a downed firefighter the best chance for survival.

The Intervention resources are more than just a check mark on the IC‟s checklist.
They must have first hand knowledge of the incident and must be ready to respond
instantly to firefighter emergencies. Once a company has been assigned they should
not be reassigned to other fireground functions. Intervention resources should be
placed in an area that allows the best tactical advantage for response, not at the
Incident Command Post (ICP) or in Staging.

These guidelines operate on three principles. The first is that preparation before a
firefighter emergency helps reduce risk. Failure to get an essential tool or critical
information may delay or prevent a successful operation. The pre-planning and pre-
positioning of resources are to provide information and equipment at a non-crisis
time.

The second is that the onset of a firefighter emergency brings confusion to an

incident. This guideline does not rely solely upon the Incident Commander to
execute the rescue. This procedure provides for Intervention resources to directly
engage in the rescue effort. The Incident Commander supports the rescue and
maintains control of the original emergency. Companies operating at the scene will
stay with their assigned tasks when they are confident that a structured effort is
underway to assist the affected firefighters. If not, they may start freelancing and
increase the potential for additional trapped firefighters.

The last is that if a firefighter is lost or trapped, he/she may have as little as 5 to 10
minutes to receive help before their chances of survival drops dramatically. Search,
locate, and remove or, if necessary, support and protect in place until extraction can
occur are the goals. This must be accomplished in a manner that provides for
orientation to egress points, monitoring of progress, and adequate back up.

Intervention Resources should utilize the acronym: “A.W.A.R. E.” (Access, Water,
Air, Radio, and Extrication) as tactical considerations. Those Resources need only
use the steps necessary to effect the rescue.

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RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

The following is a modified version.

 Access
Locating and gaining access to the firefighter(s) in distress quickly is the first step in
this process. This may also be the most difficult part of the operation. Make good
use of time on the fireground by noting where teams are operating, monitoring
tactical radio traffic, and preplanning access to those teams as the incident unfolds.
Keep in mind that the reason that your team will perform a search is because
something has gone wrong. Conditions are likely to be much more challenging than
those encountered by first arriving crews.

 Water
Using a hoseline to protect a trapped firefighter and rescuers. This could be in the
form of a handline, portable monitors, or water curtains. But be sure to find out
where the water is going. Don‟t trade the thermal hazard for a steam, collapse, or
drowning hazard.

 Air
There are many scenarios that can affect a firefighter‟s respiratory protection. They
can range from an empty or low bottle to a damaged SCBA or facepiece.
Intervention resources should carry a Rescue Air Kit (RAK) to address these types
of problems. There is also the possibility that the firefighter is pinned or trapped in a
manner that prevents access to the regulator or other parts of the SCBA. O2 via a
cannula or tubing into the facepiece may be necessary. Positive pressure fans can
be used to supply fresh air to the firefighter or to keep the area around the
firefighters clear of smoke.

 Radio
All SFD members carry radios on the fireground, and these radios are the key to
communicating a problem and summoning help when required. Being able to
communicate with the firefighter improves our ability to effect a rescue. It is
important to the firefighter to provide a sense of connection and to give personnel
working the rescue a feel for the firefighter‟s location, and physical and emotional
condition.

 Extrication
Extrication is removing the firefighter from the hazardous condition. This may be as
simple as leading a lost firefighter out or as complex as a heavy rescue. If extrication
cannot be done immediately, we must provide protection in place using air and
water. In between those two extremes there are several simple manipulative RIC
skills and techniques that require only a minimum of equipment.

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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9
RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

The actual situation of a trapped or injured firefighter may be quite variable. But, the
faster we get to them; the greater the opportunity to get them out alive.
However, these actions must be based on a risk benefit analysis.

DETAILS OF RAPID INTERVENTION PROCEDURE

Pre-planning

Goals: To familiarize intervention resources with the building, fire conditions, and
firefighter locations. Acquire information before a firefighter emergency occurs so a
basic plan can be formed.

Process: The RIC must size up the building (A, B, C, D, sides and areas above and
below the fire floor). A diagram should include:
 Building outlines and rough dimensions
 Areas of involvement
 Irregularities i.e. descending grades, add-ons, areas under construction,
etc.
 Potential hazards
 Entry points and external openings
 Layout of interior hallways (stairs or rooms if possible)
 Forcible entry requirements
 Locations of hoselines and ladders
 Other pertinent information

The RIC Leader consults with the Incident Commander, Operations Chief, or
firefighters who have been in the building to develop a quick picture of what is
occurring at the incident. He/she may obtain or determine the following:
 Pre-fire plans
 Occupancy Type
 Construction Type
 Areas of involvement and fire conditions
 Specific hazards
 Locations of personnel
 Elapsed time at incident
 Other pertinent information

When the initial pre-planning and size up has been accomplished, the RIC
assembles to review the information obtained, emphasizing the building layout, entry
points, fire locations, and location of personnel. Preliminary rescue concerns should
be discussed at this time. Tool requirements should also be a part of this discussion.

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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9
RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

Pre-positioning Equipment

Goal: To insure that the equipment the RIC may require will be available when it is
needed.

Process: The RIC gathers equipment and personnel at an Intervention staging

location.

Priority equipment for RIC:

 Thermal imager (from Safety 2 vehicle)
 Rescue air kit (from Safety 2 vehicle)
 Search rope (from Safety 2vehicle)
 Battle lantern for all RIC team members
 Halligan/Flat head axe (every member should have a tool)
 Pump cans
 Diagonal cutters/ lineman‟s pliers/ bolt cutters (for suspended ceiling
components, wires, mattress springs, etc.)

Additional equipment to bring for an Intervention Group assignment (as needed or

available):
 One Hour SCBA air bottles for at least four members
 Rescue saw and/or chain saw (depending on building construction)
 Cordless reciprocating saw with extra blades
 Vent kit (O2)
 Ladders (24‟, baby, folding)
 Additional search ropes
 Rescue ropes and equipment
 Lift bags and accessories
 Sledge hammer
 Forcible entry equipment (rabbit tool, battering ram, etc.)
 Fans
 Bars
 Cribbing
 Pike poles
 Chemlight sticks
 Additional thermal imager

Intervention resources should consider having a dedicated hose line available. Time
can be lost stretching a hoseline to areas that may already have them available or
are not affected by fire. Members should know where they would get a hoseline if
they need one, including calling for a support company to lay one. If the situation
dictates that intervention resources will have their own hoseline they should consider

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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9
RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

 Enough 2 ½” hose to reach to the furthest entry point of the building

 A wyed bundle of 200 feet of 1 ¾” hose

A copy of the building diagram should be delivered to the Command Post. This will
assist the IC in tactical decision making and tracking the intervention resource
progress in the building if they are deployed.

The job of the RIC is firefighter safety and survival, which includes reducing
the risk on the fireground by creating opportunities for firefighter self-rescue.
Once the tactical situation is known and tools have been gathered the RIC should
begin to be proactive. The initial building survey should have identified any areas of
specific concern. This may include:

 Laddering upper floors, the roof, or burned out exterior stairs. Ladders put
up for rescue or egress to windows should be raised to just above the sill

 Forcing exterior doors that are locked or blocked

 Lighting egress points up at night to make them more visible

 Removing bars on windows and doors

These are jobs that can easily be performed by the RIC, as long it will not delay the
response to a firefighter emergency. The Incident Commander or Operations Chief
must approve these activities.

As additional egress points are created they should be “advertised” on the radio for
the benefit of those who may need them. “Pine Command from Intervention Group,
we have placed a ladder to the second floor window on the Charlie side of the
building, the window is intact.”

Care must be taken when creating additional openings especially when PPV is being
used. Discretion, common sense, and professionalism should be used when
determining how much destructive action to take at an incident. For example, a food-
on-the-stove incident should not result in cutting metal roll up doors.
The RIC continually monitors the incident scene for changes in conditions and
personnel. At a minimum, both the A and B sides of the assigned primary tactical
channel should be monitored to keep track of fireground operations. When staffing
allows 16A may also be monitored.

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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9
RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

Initiate the Rescue

Goals: To verify a firefighter emergency and quickly confirm as much information as

needed to begin an effective rescue effort. To immediately start the Intervention into
operation with enough ICS components to permit command and control of the
incident. To bring enough resources to the incident scene to support both fire control
and the rescue.

Process: When the Incident Commander or Operations Chief receives notification

of a firefighter emergency they will direct that the tactical channel be cleared to
determine the nature of the emergency. Supervisors should direct accounting for all
personnel so that the full extent of the incident is known.

IC actions: The IC should deploy the Intervention Resources and provide them
information about who is involved, where they were last located, and what the
situation is.

If the firefighter in distress gave a MAYDAY or activated his/her emergency button

they should be communicating on the primary tactical channel (after dispatcher
patch). The IC must direct that the primary fire channel stay cleared for critical
incident radio traffic only. This will allow the IC and intervention resources to
communicate with the member in question directly.

A firefighter emergency during an incident will tax even the most organized scene.
The IC may need to delegate responsibilities to maintain proper control of the fire
and the rescue. A RIC should be assigned a Supervisor to assist in monitoring and
supporting the rescue effort at the entry point.

Once Intervention resources have been committed, the fire attack or emergency
operation must be adjusted to support the rescue. Any crews operating in the area
around the firefighter may need to be reinforced. Consideration should be given to
unlocking/opening exterior doors, maximizing ventilation, and lighting the exterior
and interior work areas.

Once Intervention resources are activated they will require significant support. The
IC should immediately consider increasing the existing alarm by at least one level.
Greater alarms may be required once the situation becomes clearer. This is in
anticipation of the need to supply personnel for control of the fire as well as the
rescue effort.

Once the resources become available a back-up RIC should be established.

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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9
RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

The HIGHEST incident priority is firefighter rescue and all other strategic goals
are secondary until the rescue is complete or the effort is terminated.

Decisions to terminate intervention efforts will be based on a thorough Risk/ Benefit

analysis.

RIC actions: The RIC will determine the best point of entry from which to make a
rescue based upon their pre-planning and the information derived from Incident
Command. They will move their equipment to that location, brief the team on a
search plan (if required), and begin the rescue. The RIC Leader should request an
Intervention Group Supervisor, additional companies as support units, and other
needed equipment.

The Incident Commander will approve the Intervention Plan.

Search and Locate the Firefighter

Goals: To conduct a rapid and effective search, if the firefighter‟s position is not
known. To gain access to the firefighter in a way that can be tracked and monitored
from the entry point. To gain access in a way that can be followed easily by
subsequent incoming crews. To remove, or request help in removing, obstacles so
that search for the firefighter in need is facilitated.

Process: Reference must be maintained with the entry/egress point. This can be
done with a hoseline either already in the building or brought with the team, or a
search rope can be attached at the entry point. The search is conducted based on
the earlier briefings with the assistance of the thermal imager if available. Searchers
must maintain contact with the hose or search line by hand, attachment by drop
bag/personal rope, or by voice contact (not radio) with another member who is
physically on the hose or rope. The searchers must remain alert to relay and mark, if
possible, any significant hazards, change in conditions, or obstacles which would
effect the intervention. The RIC may need to wait for support teams if additional
resources are required to continue progress.

Intervention resources should be aware of the possibility that there may be multiple
firefighters in need of assistance. When the firefighter is located they will be
removed if possible, or if not, marked or attached to the hose or search line for
removal by other companies. This will allow maximum search time for the resources
already in the hazard area. Operating PASS devices should be silenced in order to
hear other devices sounding in the area. Efforts can also begin to support the
firefighter(s) with air and/or water. The IC is notified of firefighter locations and
conditions once found for relay to support companies.

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TITLE: TRAINING GUIDE #10-9
RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

The IC or designee will monitor the search. If an Intervention Group has been
activated the Intervention Group Supervisor may perform this job for the IC at the
entry point. Search information is entered on the diagrams prepared earlier in the
pre-planning stage of the rescue. This information may include distance and
direction of travel, significant landmarks or hazards, structural stability, and pertinent
information regarding subsequent support teams who have entered the search area.
Entry time must be monitored in order to insure teams have enough time to exit
safely. All critical information is relayed through the Intervention Group Supervisor to
Incident Command.

Protect Firefighter in Place

Goals: To protect and support the firefighter who can‟t be removed where he/she is
found until an effective extrication can be undertaken. This will include assessing the
firefighter‟s situation, forming a plan, and requesting support.

Process: If the firefighter‟s situation does not allow them to be moved toward safety
immediately, removal may have to be delayed until they can be extricated from
debris, or some other encumbrance.

If the Intervention resources have been involved in a lengthy search and have been
exposed to severe conditions, they may not have the energy reserves to work
effectively with the firefighter. They should be prepared to wait for help and
equipment. Having the firefighter ready to be moved or freed quickly when the other
crews arrive may be of more value under these circumstances.

In these instances the Intervention Resources can begin to protect the firefighter in
place by identifying and addressing the immediate threats. Some examples are:

 placing a hoseline between the member and the main body of fire
 transfilling rescue air
 replacing damaged or missing facepiece or regulator
 preventing further crush/entrapment by cribbing or shoring
 cutting away entanglements
 widening and reinforcing a hole in the floor
 initiating first aid

The Intervention Resources must immediately communicate to their supervisor, the

firefighter‟s circumstances and what equipment /companies are needed for
extrication.

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RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

Extrication

Goals: To safely extricate and remove the firefighter from the hazard area.

Process: Intervention personnel must request any additional resources needed to

complete the extrication and extraction.

Support crews should be staged for entry in anticipation of a request received from
the Intervention Resources. At a minimum, a back-up hoseline with one work team
should be ready to be sent down the search line to the firefighter‟s location. The
Intervention Group Supervisor should make a request for sufficient medical
personnel to attend to not only the firefighter, but also the Intervention Personnel.

Activities performed during extrication vary considerably depending upon the nature
of the firefighter‟s predicament. These may include:
 Pulling the firefighter up or down stairs to the entry point
 Pulling the firefighter through diminished clearances
 Freeing the firefighter from entanglements, from heavy debris or collapse
areas,
 Pulling a firefighter from a hole in a floor.
 Removing firefighters from windows
 Carrying firefighters down ladders.

The Intervention Resources should have some contingency plans ready, in the
event the initial plan is not effective.

Post Rescue Actions

Goals: To insure the well being of all members operating at the scene.

Actions: Following the removal of the distressed firefighter and/or when intervention
efforts are terminated, the Incident Commander must account for all personnel. This
accountability report should occur before the strategic plan returns to fire control,
building abandonment, or other incident stabilization efforts. If the fire attack is to
continue, new Intervention Resources may need to be assigned.

Incidents of this type can be extremely stressful whether successful or not.

Rehabilitation and Critical Incident Stress defusing should be made available as
soon as possible when the scope of the action warrants it. This may require
companies to be relieved at the scene.

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RAPID INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Technical editors – Captain William Simpson, Captain Barb Banger, Lieutenant

Brian Shearer, Lieutenant Tobin Graves, Lieutenant Casey Phillips, Lieutenant
Frank Brennan, and Firefighter Mark Beirne.

Technical review – Interim Assistant Chief of Operations A. D. Vickery, Deputy

Chiefs of Training Michael Johnson, Jesse Youngs, and Steve Oleson, Battalion
Chief Gerry Moberg, Battalion Chief Sue Rosenthal, Captain Pat Pavey, Captain
Paul Fletcher, and Lieutenant R.J. Holtman.

Seattle Fire Department Publication Date: August, 2001