MANHATTAN, Kan., June 20, 2011 -- Seven Fort Riley firefighters traveled to Manhattan, Kan., June 7-9, 2011, where they learned lifesaving techniques to rescue themselves and each other in the event of an accident.
The concept of the Rapid Intervention Team, or RIT, is for a four-man team to rescue one of their own, said Sam Dameron, chief training officer, Manhattan Fire Department.
“In the training, they learn basic firefighter survival skills, firefighter rescue skills and how to operate as a RIT, where it’s four men operating together,” he said.
The training provided the firefighters with individual rescue and survival skills.
“The first part was how to self-rescue -- if you get tangled up or get buried -- how to help get yourself out,” said Eric Callahan, Fort Riley firefighter. “The next part is team rescues, for if we have a down firefighter, we can go in after them, try to clear debris, find them, find out what’s wrong and get them out.”
Having been with the fire department for just a short time, Callahan said he learned a lot during the training.
“It’s helped me a lot just to learn how to save myself,” he said.
Callahan also said some of the techniques he learned, like moving quicker, helped him feel like the other firefighters on his team could rely on him.
Three members of the Manhattan department also were trained for RIT.
The first day of the three-day training consisted of classroom lectures on firefighter safety, terminology, incident command, mayday procedures, RIT safety and equipment, as well as removal plans and techniques.
On the second and third days, firefighters learned about air pack conversions and how to assess a downed firefighter.
The RIT training is one of several partnership opportunities Fort Riley Fire and Emergency Services and the Manhattan Fire Department share.
“This is just another ongoing training deal between us and Fort Riley, where we have the instructors trained in RIT training, so we opened it up to them if they (wanted) to send some guys over here to train with us,” Dameron said.
The training not only provides each department with necessary skills, but builds rapport with each other, he said.
“It’s just an ongoing partnership we have to train with each other, build relationships, so our department members can learn who their department members are and vice versa, so that in the event of a disaster, big fire or any event that requires us to work together, that we have a relationship in place,” Dameron said.
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