Name
RIT? FAST? RIC? WHO?
Description

This RIC class isn’t your average rapid intervention discussion. There are far too many classes that dive into this topic and only discuss why we need a RIC team at an incident and the handful of drills that may be conducted in order to work on these skills. From the probies to the chiefs, everyone should understand the vital need for a strong RIC culture within a department and furthermore within the individual firefighter. There seems to be a stigma associated with RIC teams; that these companies have a hurry-up-and-wait ideology when it comes to operating at a fire. Why must this be? Why can’t we as a fire service understand that the RIC team has one of the most important roles on the fireground, firefighter safety and if needed, rescue. This presentation dives into the why and how we can get to that level of understanding. One of the key concepts that is discussed is softening the building and being able to think steps ahead. RIC work isn’t about being a lawn shepherd but rather about being an educated and trained problem solving firefighter. RIC continues to be a vital element of the job that lacks attention overall. In some areas, the RIC team is known as those who arrive on scene to stand around, in some areas it’s an engine company that brings a RIC pack up to the scene and then proceeds to operate as an engine company. In the firefighter one program, the curriculum barely discusses the topic and in the firefighter two program, there are three to four sessions that address the Nance Drill, the Denver Drill, and how to convert an SCBA. We are setting our own up for failure. As a mutual-aid RIC chairman, the topic is gaining support to continue developing the topic both physically and mentally. RIC operations involve everything from being prepared, knowing emergency operations, and understanding how to think ahead at an incident. RIC training doesn't have to be high end; you can do it every day using everything you have. If you need to train on a budget, we'll show you what you can do to take advantage of that opportunity. Some of the trainings discussed include entanglements, SCBA conversations, RIT packs, and more. This presentation also briefly discusses RIC teams and interoperability at different incidents like complex rescue and water incidents. If you’re not thinking about RIC operations as a rookie, you’re behind the ball, and cheating yourself and your brothers.

Robert Policht
Date & Time
Friday, September 29, 2023, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM