NFPA Standards: NFPA 1407: Updates for Better RIC Training
NFPA 1407: Standard for Training Fire Service Rapid Intervention Crews is 10 years old this year. In the mid-2000s, the concept of rapid-intervention training was gaining hold in the fire service, and the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Service Training felt compelled to write a standard that covers the training that’s required to perform the much needed rapid-intervention team (RIT) task. This new project had overwhelming support from inside as well as outside of the NFPA. The approval of the new standard was granted by the NFPA Standards Council, and the first edition was released in 2010.
The first edition had 16 pages, eight chapters and three annexes. Ten years later, it is the same size but with updated material to better train your members on RIT operations.
The first edition laid out the fundamentals of training members as a RIT:
- rapid-intervention training policy and procedures
- RIT instructor requirements
- student prerequisites
- rapid-intervention operations training program
- required performance for RIT crews
The standard was revised in 2015 and, now, in 2020. Each revision supersedes the previous version. During each revision, the chairman of the technical committee assigns a task group to take a close look at the standard, to review public comments that the NFPA received and to update the standard as needed to better serve end users. During this time frame, the committee reviews all line-of-duty deaths and close calls that occurred during any training that’s covered by the standard and includes changes to address any of these cases to ensure a safer training environment.
The major changes
With every revision, the NFPA ensures that the references, document titles and edition dates are updated. With the 2020 edition of NFPA 1407, the NFPA added shaded areas for revisions, “N” for new material, a triangle symbol to indicate text deletions and revisions to figures/tables and a solid circle symbol for section deletions.
In section 3.2.7 of Chapter 3: Definitions, the standard was revised to better explain that only the main chapters that contain mandatory provisions that use the word “shall” are to be used. The annexes are nonmandatory text. This change was made after receiving multiple inquiries on using the annex during the training process. Many training officers were treating the annex material as required text, which isn’t the case.
Also, in section 3.3.8: Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC), the text was revised to read, “A dedicated crew of at least one officer and three members, positioned outside the IDLH, trained, and equipped as specified in NFPA 1407, who are assigned for rapid deployment to rescue lost or trapped members.” During the technical committee meeting, this topic was discussed at length. Some departments used two members as a RIT crew, while others used eight members. The committee believed that four should be the minimum, which included an officer. Furthermore, in this way, adding the italicized text allowed NFPA 1407 to remain consistent with NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments.
In Chapter 7: Rapid Intervention Operations Training Program, in section 7.8: Air Supply, which covers what shall be included in the minimum training for RIC members, Part 1) now reads, “Air management procedures and techniques as required by NFPA 1404 shall be included,” and Part 2) now reads, “When using rescue air, the following items shall be considered: a) capacity of the rescue air supply; b) egress from the hazard area; and c) hazards observed.” The italicized “shall be included” and “shall” were changed. After discussing at length what it takes to perform a rescue of a downed firefighter, it was decided that the word “shall” needed to be inserted, to require the training to prepare the trainee to look at the big picture of what he/she faces, so the individual can plan properly and execute the rescue as safely as possible.
Also in regard to section 7.8: Air Supply, the fourth component of Part 3)—“When using rescue air, RIC members shall be able to do the following”—now reads, “Utilize a NIOSH-certified EBSS/buddy breather where available.” “Buddy breather” was added, so the standard complies with the NFPA Manual of Style for NFPA Technical Committee Documents 2004 edition.
In the same chapter, in section 7.11: Protecting Downed Fire Fighters(s) in Place, which speaks to “The following skills shall be included in the minimum training for RIC members,” Part 4) now reads, “Continuously monitor conditions that can affect the rescue operations, including implementing door control or other means to limit air and fire spread.” Since the 2015 edition, numerous studies on fire spread from air flow were conducted. The committee found in those studies positive results from controlling the doors in the flow path in regard to producing a safer environment for the rescue. The italicized text was added to ensure that this task was being accomplished.
Also in Chapter 7, in regard to section 7.13.1, which also pertains to skills that shall be included in the minimum training for RIC members, Part 3) now reads, “Rapid room orientation and exit, including falling from one level to a lower level and awareness of primary and secondary exits from room.” One of the most frequent life-threatening incidents that we see in the fire service is a firefighter falling through a floor or roof. The italicized text was added in the Firefighter Self Rescue section to ensure that firefighters can accomplish this task.
Required performance
Chapter 8 of the standard covers “Required Performance for Rapid Intervention Crews (RIC).” Section 8.2.4 now reads, “These areas, located out of the IDLH atmosphere, shall serve as locations where the RIC can move the downed firefighter to end the evolution.” The italicized text was added to provide clarification and to ensure that the RIT and the downed firefighter no longer are in the IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) atmosphere. After the RIT accomplishes the task that they were assigned for a rescue, it is imperative that the victim and the team are removed from an IDLH atmosphere. This allows proper emergency care to be given in a safe area for all who are involved.
In the same chapter, Section 8.3.5 now reads, “A radio report shall be broadcast, including the location of the downed fire fighter, the fire fighter’s condition, and the needs, resources required and removal plan of the RIC.” Once a downed firefighter is located and protected, it is important that the RIT reports to the incident commander (IC) their needs, any additional resources that are needed and the plan to remove the victim. This way, the IC can obtain and get those resources to the team and put in motion the needed actions to complete the rescue. The italicized text was added for the purpose of clarification.
Annex
The annex isn’t part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes. Two changes in the annex are particularly notable.
In A.7.4 (1), which speaks to, “The conditions under which a fire fighter should call for assistance can include, but are not limited to, when the fire fighter has done the following,” Part 8) now reads, “Used a NIOSH-certified EBSS/buddy breather.” As noted above, “buddy breather” was changed to meet the NFPA Manual of Style for NFPA Technical Committee Documents.
A.7.4 (1) concludes with, “It is recommended that after calling for assistance the fire fighter activate the PASS alarm to assist the RIC in locating the fire fighter. The fire fighter calling for assistance should still continue to self-rescue.” The italicized text was added to encourage the downed firefighter, if able, to start to self-rescue, which might be successful before a RIT can reach him/her.
Vital to safety
NFPA 1407 is a national standard that’s used throughout the world to train RITs. Since the standard’s inception in 2010, the technical committee has received many inquiries from departments as to how to apply this in the day-to-day training of their people. Very few major changes in the standard were made, which is a good indication that the committee did a thorough job drafting the first edition. Any changes were the result of close calls and injuries during RIT operations that either were real-life emergencies or trainings.
As always, I encourage everyone to become involved in NFPA standard-making and to apply for placement on a technical committee. Additionally, there are many opportunities to submit public comment on any NFPA standard when it is being revised. Every public comment must be addressed by the technical committee membership. Your voice can make a difference.
Kenneth W. Richards, Jr.
Kenneth W. Richards, Jr., has been in the fire service since 1976 and has been the career fire chief in Old Mystic, CT, for 27 years. He holds a master’s degree in leadership and is a Certified Fire Officer IV and Fire Instructor III. Richards has been on the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Service Training for 18 years and has served as the chair since 2010. He also is a member of the NFPA Standards Council.
