CLASSROOM SESSION

Synopsis

"RIT versus interior team firefighter rescue"

Firefighting is inherently dangerous and requires constant practice.  Even with constant training and practice a firefighter may be injured or worse.  NIOSH reports constantly remind us that we should be "situationally aware" to avoid these events and that we must establish a mechanism to effectively rescue our own.  RIT/RIC teams are the answer and many communities have developed these teams.  I do not want to downplay this necessary element of the fireground, however, the following statistics show the importance of knowing what to do when you are on an interior team and you are aware of a downed firefighter. 

•  Another interior crew: 39 percent

•  Crew of the person who called Mayday: 31 percent

•  Self-rescue: 18 percent

•  RIT/RIC: 11 percent (The Mayday Project by Don Abbott)

Will your SOG/SOP allow you to remain and assist the downed firefighter(s) or is it better to continue your task and allow the RIT/RIC to affect rescue?.  What is the risk/reward if you were to assist a downed firefighter?

We will have a frank discussion on the merits of each of the types of rescue based on the IAFF/FGS statistics and NIOSH Reports.

Bio

Mike has been with the Toronto Fire Services for 28 years and is currently a Captain on a Heavy Rescue Company. He's been an instructor with Fire Star Services for six years and a training consultant and Technical Specialist at Fleming College for five years as well as a Pre-Service Firefighter Lead Instructor and Professor at OFM for one year. He is also the Provincial Lead Evaluator.

Mike's areas of expertise are ice and water rescue, swift water Rescue, Rope Rescue (NFPA 1006 Tech II Pro-board certified), High Rise Operations, Advanced Auto Extrication (NFPA 1006 Pro-board certified), Structural Collapse, Trench Rescue, Elevator Rescue (TSSA Certified), Fire Behavior, Flash Over Recognition (Class A Drager Certified), Advanced RIT operations, Pump/aerial operations, Fire ground operations, and 1403 Live Fire Train the Trainer - Acquired and Permanent Structures.

He is a member TFS Thermal Imaging Steering Committee, TFS tactics review committee, Presenter at FDIC Atlantic "The Importance of Public Relations to The Fire Service", "What Research Tells Us About Fire Behavior and Tactics" and "Training: Make it Realistic and Safe", Developed Transitional Fire Attack: Live fire training program and “Moving the Line" hands-on training program.

My view on teaching and learning fire and rescue principles: Firefighting is not a job. It is a service that we commit to. We have an obligation to continue developing our craft and be ready for what our community needs - at their worst moment. Instructing is a win, win scenario. Every day you instruct you learn something from other instructors and even the student