Tools for the RIC Team!
By Lt. Polikoff
I am a firm believer that the RIC has a place on the fire ground. I know that there is not as much fire being fought now as compared to 10 years ago. With the addition of smoke detectors, residential sprinkler systems and tougher building codes, fires are far and few between. that does not mean we should let our guard down, firefighters are still dying in fires.
When the bells go off and we are sent for a fire I know the last thing anybody wants to do is sit outside and be the RIC especially when the next fire might be 6 months to a year away. Never the less the RIC is one of the most important positions on the fire ground. I know that it is not the most glamorous or most exciting assignment on a fire, but it must be done. This brings me to the heart of this article. Who is the RIC team, and what tools should they have?
Some departments use an engine some use a rescue squad and some use a truck company as a RIC. My feeling is this; with the amount of tools needed for the RIC an extra truck on the assignment is the best choice. If your department has a house fire assignment, and the assignments consists of: 3 Eng. 1 Truck 1 Rescue Squad and 1 BLS add an additional truck to the assignment they will be the RIC. If you run 2 trucks on a commercial or multi occupancy add 1 additional truck to the assignment it will be the RIC. I know this sounds like a lot of apparatus, but think about this, somebody in you department thought there was a need for a standard dispatch assignment for a house, commercial or multi occupancy building right? So why take away from the original assignment? If you do there will be a job on the fire ground that will not get done. Ok lets move on.
What Tools should the RIC have at their staging area? The best advice I can give is think about what could happen in a fire that could trap firefighters. Pick the appropreate tools for the job. You know that I have my personal opinion so here is Dave's list:
4- firefighters SCBA PPE
1- set of irons
1- hydro ram or rabbit tool
1- vent saw
1- cut-off saw to cut metal
1 sledge hammer (8lb)
1- 200' section of life line
2-ladder belts
2- Portable radios
2- hooks
1- charged hose line
Extra air
With the list above you can accomplish a variety of tasks should you be called into action. The tools must be with the RIC where ever they are staged. As you can see all of the tools listed can be found on the average truck with the exception of the hose line. The chances of you using all the tools listed above are small, but you will have them there just incase. As always these are my opinions. Please be safe out there.