I. Purpose

CalOSHA Title 8, Section 5144 requires specific regulations for personnel operating in atmospheres assumed to be Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). Specifically, this regulation defines an IDLH atmosphere as it pertains to structural firefighting, mandates a buddy system for all personnel operating in the hazardous environment and requires the use of Rapid Intervention Crews (RIC) for firefighter safety.

II. Definitions

A. Buddy System - A system where fire suppression personnel operate in teams of at least two firefighters who are in constant visual, voice or physical contact. All members of the team must be in full structural firefighters' protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.

B. First Arriving Officer - The person in charge on the first arriving fire department vehicle.

C. IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health.

D. IDLH Atmosphere (in a structure fire) - Any fire beyond the incipient stage.

E. Incipient Stage Fire - any fire which is at the initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipes or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus.

F. Rapid Intervention Crew - a crew of not less than two firefighters in full structural firefighters' protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus, who also have with them tools and equipment potentially needed for the rescue of fellow firefighters.

III. Policy

A. All personnel entering an IDLH atmosphere shall operate in a team of at least two firefighters utilizing a buddy system. All members of the team shall maintain visual, voice or physical contact at all times when they are within the IDLH atmosphere.

B. No interior structural fire suppression activities involving an IDLH atmosphere shall be initiated until there are sufficient personnel on scene to provide for a minimum of two firefighters in the fire building and two firefighters standing by outside as a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC).

1. One member of the RIC may not have any duties other than to monitor the safety and condition of the crew operating inside, and to initiate rescue operations.

2. Additional members of the RIC may be assigned to other functions, but must be able to immediately abandon those functions without risk to any firefighter on the scene.

C. The only exception allowed under this policy will be for the actual rescue of human life.

1. The presumption of an occupied building will not suffice to invoke this exception.

2. Examples of situations where an actual rescue may be presumed include:

a. Notification by people at the scene that other people are trapped.

b. Personnel actually see or hear people who are trapped.

c. The Command Center advises suppression units that a rescue situation exists.

3. CalOSHA will issue a citation for violation of this standard even if a rescue is performed under this exception.

IV. Procedure

A. Upon arrival at a structure fire, the first arriving officer shall determine the following conditions and transmit a report on conditions via the radio:

1. Assess the fire to determine if an IDLH atmosphere exists.

2. Ascertain if a rescue situation exists.

B. If, by definition, an IDLH exists, and no verified rescue situation exists, interior fire suppression activities shall not be initiated until:

1. Suppression personnel are formed into teams utilizing the buddy system as described above, AND

2. A Rapid Intervention Crew is established.

C. The RIC shall be positioned at or near the entrance point of the firefighters inside the building.

D. An additional RIC shall be activated and placed at or near each additional entry point utilized by suppression personnel.

E. A Medic Unit shall be committed to any fire where an IDLH atmosphere exists.

F. The Incident Commander shall decide when the Rapid Intervention Crews can be safely deactivated.

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