Where firefighters come to talk training

MARCH MAGAZINE CARTOON

Why is it that some RIT crew members think that a fast and effective operation means emptying every compartment on their rig and carrying it inside to preform a rescue? You've seen these people, the ones in their bright yellow RIT vest standing like statues in a mountain of equipment waiting to leap into a rescue situation. I have even taught in a few departments that insist on taking a chainsaw into a smoke-filled, zero visibility environment as standard first-in practice (WTF?)!

I like to think of RIT as a well organized, trained, and proactive safety team - intervening before an issue arises (e.g., placing ladders, pulling support hand-lines, enforcing fire ground safety, ect...). It's a simple concept; try to stop something bad from happening before something bad happens.

However, in the rare occurrence that something goes wrong, this team needs to be ready, competent, and able to move fast and light with the bare minimum of equipment. Believe me, I could ramble on with a dissertation regarding my thoughts on training and the application of RIT. But for now I'll just say; remember, the "R" in RIT stands for rapid, not restricted.

To see more of my work, visit: www.artstudioseven.com

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Comment by Paul Combs on April 4, 2011 at 7:51pm: Thanks, everyone! As you can tell, this is one of many topics that gets my blood boiling.

@ Chief Coleman: You're so right! Common sense is an endangered species!

Comment by Art "Chief Reason" Goodrich on April 4, 2011 at 5:39pm: For a minute there, I thought that you forgot the kitchen sink.

I was wrong and you are SO right!

Comment by Skip Coleman on April 4, 2011 at 5:23pm: Paul,
It's because of stuff like this this that I (forgive me) "love you" so much. Apparently, common sense isn't that common to some.

Comment by Mike France on April 4, 2011 at 3:56pm: You must have been up here watching our RIT team, Nice one.

Comment by Paul Combs on April 4, 2011 at 1:53pm: Not at all, Jeff - please feel free to use within your class presentation. Also, saved an FDIC print for you and it will be in the mail this week! Hope all is going well.

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