Scott RIT Pack SOP's/Ideas

[MG3610]

I'm working on setting up a training session on the Scott RIT pack. I would like to know if any companies using them have any SOP's or have done anything creative with them.

How do you store it? Which hose do you keep connected, the quick fill line or the "multipurpose" coupling line? Why did you decide on the arrangments you have chosen?

What is your policy on dealing with a downed FF with an air emergency. Is it to refill his cylinder, or remove his air pack from him and put him on the RIT air supply. In doing this, are you set up to change his mask and regulator, or simply plug into the EBSS connection on the pack? ...Or, do you simply evaluate each situation and deal with it as it presents?

What other items do you keep in the bag besides the rit bottle and hoses?

When a downed FF is attached to the RIT pack, do you strap it to him in some fashion, or does someone drag/carry it alongside?

Any other ideas? I appreciate any input and ideas any of you have especially drill night evolutions.

[RyanEMVFD]

If you want some good information regarding RIT, check out www.rapidintervention.com

there's even forums there to ask away regarding RIT, FAST, FART or whatever it's called in any region.

[smkdvr]

We keep our Scott RIT packs on every Battalion Chief's vehicle, as well as on every Rescue Company (6 Battalions/8 Rescues). It is the resposibility of the assigned RIT team to retrieve the packs when they arrive on the scene (4th engine co. on house/bldg fires / 1st rescue co. on high rise fires) and take it to thier staging area.

We take each FF down scenario as it comes, as far as removing the ff's airpak, use his mask with the buddy breather, replace his mask with the RIT pack's, etc...

The department has included a small (12" x 18" or so) red tool bag that is stored with the RIT pack and is considered part of the 'kit'. It includes your basic small tools some guys might carry in thier coats (cable cutters, snips, pliers, channel locks, vice grips, screw drivers, elevator keys, door chocks, etc...). If your suppression units don't already have one, a Hydra-Ram might be a handy tool to include in the bag too. Great for popping doors in a hurry.

There has been some talk of putting a strap with a carabiner on it to fasten to the downed ff so you don't accidentally pull his mask off of him if he and the pack get too far apart. Right now we just carry/slide it next to him...

Hope this helped a little.

[AcrossTheCeilin]

Be careful on using SOP's or Standard Operating Procedures because when using this term in court if someone gets hurt and has gone be the SOP's the company could be held responsible something to think about is using GOP's General Operating Procedures and it takes some of the legal stuff away.