Rapid Intervention Team Activation and FF Rescue
 
By Chief Curtis Hall
March 19, 2023
 

Sunday afternoon, Squad 33 (7) and Chief 33 (2) were sent on the working fire dispatch to Hastings Dr in Upper Allen Township for a House Fire. RIT was established on scene at 14:29 with the team splitting crews to cover the front and back of the residence. At 14:38, a collapse of a portion of the residence above the attached garage occurred with subsequent MAYDAY. The firefighters had been working on the second floor at the time of the collapse. RIT immediately entered the residence with 3 members searching the first floor and 3 members searching the second floor with the RIT leader requesting an accountability check and second RIT dispatched to the scene. At 14:42, RIT was notified that the best access was going to be exterior on side B of the garage and that there were two firefighters trapped and one, possibly two more not accounted for. One firefighter self extricated from the garage. Members were faced with a large amount of the structure including the framed roof down onto the firefighters. Using multiple techniques to remove sections and pieces, the first firefighter was located followed by the second firefighter. The first firefighter was uncovered and was awake and talking and by location was not in immediate need for air supply and was able to remove his facepiece. The second firefighter had his air supply connection switched to the RIT pack. The other unaccounted firefighter was located safe performing other tasks. Crews had to work to remove more debris and furniture in order to complete the rescue. The second firefighter located was removed first at 14:59. The first located firefighter was removed shortly thereafter. Both firefighters were able to walk out assisted by crews at the scene and transferred to waiting EMS crews. MP33 (with 4) added to the call when the mayday was declared and assisted at the scene. York Rescue 69 was the second RIT and arrived just prior to the rescue of the last firefighter. The mayday was cleared and RIT33 broke down equipment with RIT69 taking over duties. The successful rescue of both firefighters was accomplished by crews working together; it was not one company but ONE TEAM getting the job done. It should be noted that even with firefighters trapped and those involved in the rescue, other fire ground tasks still had to be accomplished by additional companies at the scene. Thanks to Fairview Township Rescue 68 for covering Station 33, assisting with cleanup, and remaining at the Station longer to provide coverage. Company 33 returned to service at 18:18 hours. A total of 14 RIT members worked at the scene. Photo credits to the original photographers.