PLAINFIELD – There are few situations more dire than when firefighters become trapped when responding to a fire. That’s where rapid intervention teams come in, teams of firefighters who are trained to save their fellow firefighters when they get into trouble.
While several area departments have these teams, they have not been features of the departments in the hilltowns. That looks like it may soon change, however, as nine hilltown firefighters completed rapid intervention team (RIT) training earlier this month, as part of a department-spanning effort.
“It’s a chance to give us all a safer fire scene,” said Plainfield Fire Chief David Alvord, noting that training could save lives.
The seven-week training was conducted by Alex Kassell, a captain in the Williamsburg and Chesterfield fire departments, with assistance from members of the Colrain Fire Department, which has its own RIT team. Kassell was trained at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy to be able to teach RIT skills.
“You need much higher training to function in those areas,” said Kassell, of RIT work.
Over the course of the training the firefighters studied line of duty deaths and near miss reports for firefighters. Kassell said that on average it takes 12 firefighters to rescue one trapped firefighter.
For this first running of the training, participating firefighters had a good base of experience and knowledge already, though future trainings will be open to firefighters with less experience.
Kassell said that he’d tried to put together an RIT program in the area for quite some time. He also thanked Colrain Fire Department lieutenants Doug Donelson and Kevin Worden II for their assistance. Kassell and the Colrain trainers had to be pulled away from the final day of training to respond to a fire in Orange.
Firefighters who are members of the Williamsburg, Goshen, Chesterfield, Cummington and Plainfield fire departments all completed the training. Kassell said the plan is to hold an RIT training yearly, and that monthly refresher trainings will be held for those who have completed the training going forward.
As for how an RIT team might be organized in the hilltowns, Kassell said that has not yet been determined. However, he did say that stickers will be placed on the helmets of firefighters who have received the training. Additionally, Kassell said that the goal is for those who received training to share what they learned with other members of their departments and to teach future trainings.
“We’re hoping to build enrollment,” he said.
Plainfield Fire Chief David Alvord said that the three members of his department who received the RIT training will be doing a training for other members in the department this week.
“I’m just thrilled to be part of this,” Alvord said.
One of those three Plainfield firefighters is Fire Capt. Rob Shearer.
“It was pretty incredible, and very intense,” said Shearer, of the training.
He said that while he wasn’t sure how much he would get out of the training at the beginning but after a few sessions he realized how much more he needed to learn.
“This is just an incredible opportunity,” he said.
Shearer said that in addition to rescuing firefighters, they learned about self-rescue and dealing with structure fires.
“We’re going to bring some of the highlights to our department tonight,” said Shearer, speaking Thursday.
He said that this may allow Plainfield Fire Department members to assist in the case of an RIT rescue, and that self-rescue techniques and how to call for help if you need it will be covered.
Shearer also said that communication is number one in RIT incidents. Additionally, he said he’s been recommending the training to others.
Kassell encouraged hilltown residents to volunteer in their local fire departments, as a number of departments there are shorthanded.
“There are a variety of needs, and no prior training or experience is needed, so all are encouraged to apply,” Kassell wrote in an email.
He also said most of the calls that fire departments take are medical calls, and that there are multiple types of jobs available for volunteers.
“A lot of people find a lot of fulfillment in it,” Kassell said, “I love being a firefighter.”
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.
