Full lesson plan· RIT Size Up, Tool Staging, Deployment, And Mayday Support

Proactive Rapid Intervention and Firefighter Rescue Readiness

Shared by Bryan Butcher

OBJECTIVE Members will explain proactive RIT responsibilities, conduct a rescue-focused size-up, stage tools, monitor operations, and deploy under a clear command structure. CORE CONCEPTS RIT is not passive standby. The team studies the building, fire conditions, crew locations, access, egress, and likely rescue problems before a Mayday occurs. The best rescue is often enabled by proactive tasks that preserve egress without consuming the team. OPERATIONAL APPLICATION Report to command, confirm team identity and radio channel, gather accountability information, and complete a 360 when assigned. Identify doors, windows, stairs, basement access, roof configuration, barred openings, security features, and hazards. Stage a thermal imager, search rope, forcible-entry tools, rescue air, and department-required equipment at a usable location. Monitor tactical traffic and track changing conditions. When deployed, confirm the Mayday member’s last known location, assignment, air status, and problem. Maintain team integrity, communicate progress, and request additional rescue resources early. PRACTICAL EXERCISE Use a building diagram and radio recordings or scripted traffic. Have the RIT leader build a rescue plan, stage a tool cache, and brief command. Introduce a Mayday with a missing member on an upper floor and require the team to state access, air, removal, and backup needs. SAFETY AND LIMITATIONS RIT members remain fully equipped and ready. Do not assign the team routine tasks that compromise immediate availability. Control freelancing, preserve radio discipline, monitor structural conditions, and create additional RIT capability when the initial team deploys. KNOWLEDGE CHECK 1. What information belongs in a RIT size-up? 2. Which tools should be staged and why? 3. What facts are needed after a Mayday? 4. When should additional RIT resources be requested? 5. What activities make a RIT unavailable? INSTRUCTOR NOTE Use this lesson as a discussion and skills-development framework. Department SOPs/SOGs, the incident commander, medical control, manufacturers' instructions, and the authority having jurisdiction always control.

The full drill steps, attachments, discussion and completion tracking for this training are available to Station Table members.