The 10-Minute Rapid Intervention Drill Every Company Officer Should Run This Week

The 10-Minute Rapid Intervention Drill Every Company Officer Should Run This Week

Let's be honest: finding time for meaningful training is tough. Between calls, inspections, and administrative work, those "perfect" training scenarios often get pushed to the side. But here's what we know: short, focused drills done consistently outperform sporadic marathon training sessions.

Today, I'm walking you through a drill that takes just 10 minutes, requires minimal equipment, and directly addresses one of the most critical competencies your crew needs: rapid intervention team (RIT) operations.

Why Rapid Intervention Training Matters

According to NFPA 1500 (Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health and Wellness Program), firefighters must be trained and capable of conducting rescue operations. More specifically, NFPA 1407 (Standard for Training Fire Service Rapid Intervention Crews) emphasizes that RIT capabilities must be practiced regularly to maintain proficiency.

Here's the reality: when things go wrong inside a structure, your crew's ability to quickly locate, extract, and remove a downed firefighter can be the difference between a near-miss and a tragedy. This isn't hyperbole, it's the foundation of crew accountability and safety.

The problem? Many departments train RIT quarterly or annually, if at all. Then they expect crews to perform flawlessly under extreme stress.

This drill changes that.

The Setup (2 minutes)

Minimal equipment needed:
One 50-foot rope (or similar length)
One rescue harness or webbing loop
A designated "victim" (mannequin, another firefighter, or heavy equipment)
A stopwatch
Optional: radio to simulate dispatch traffic

Designate a training area that's either inside your bay or outdoors. If you're indoors, ensure adequate space (roughly 50 feet x 30 feet). If outdoors, mark boundaries with cones or tape.

The Drill (8 minutes)

Phase 1: The Brief (1 minute)

Before you start, gather your crew and explain the scenario:
"We have a firefighter down approximately 40 feet into the structure."
"Last known location: northeast corner of the second floor."
"Your objective: Locate, package, and begin extraction in under 5 minutes."

Assign roles clearly:
RIT Leader: Directs the operation
Search Team (2-3 firefighters): Finds the victim
Anchor Team: Manages rope and harness
Rescue Team: Extracts the victim

Phase 2: Execution (5-6 minutes)

Start the clock. The RIT team executes their response:
Rapid accountability check – RIT leader confirms which firefighter is missing
Scene assessment – Quick evaluation of the search area
Search and locate – Team searches methodically for the "downed" firefighter
Package the victim – Apply harness and secure for extraction
Extraction – Rope team pulls the victim to safety
Handoff to EMS – Brief transfer of care (if applicable)

Don't interrupt or coach during execution. Let them work through problems. This is where real learning happens.

Phase 3: The Debrief (2 minutes)

This is the most important part. Gather everyone and discuss:
What went well? Acknowledge solid teamwork and technique
What was challenging? Discuss obstacles they encountered
What would we do differently? Focus on solutions, not blame
How does this apply to real calls? Connect the drill to actual scenarios

Example questions:
"How did communication break down, if at all?"
"Was the victim packaged securely the first time?"
"Did we stay within our time objectives?"
"What equipment would we want during a real scenario?"

Pro Tips for Success

Make it realistic (but safe)
Use actual turnout gear and SCBA if possible
Introduce complications: "The structure is smoky," "Radio traffic is heavy," "We have two patients, not one"
Change locations week to week so crews adapt to unfamiliar terrain

Track progress
Record times and note which phases take longest
Identify skill gaps early
Celebrate improvements, if you did this drill last month, did you shave 30 seconds off your extraction time?

Emphasize safety during training
Brief everyone on hazards (tripping, rope management)
Use proper anchor points
Never compromise safety to beat the clock
Have spotters watch for hazards

Rotate responsibilities
Don't let the same people lead every drill
Develop multiple RIT leaders
Cross-train on every position

Why 10 Minutes Works

You might be thinking: "That's not enough time to train RIT properly." You're right, it's not a comprehensive RIT course. But here's what it is:
Muscle memory repetition – Your crew practices the sequence until it becomes automatic
Accountability – You're tracking performance and identifying gaps
Culture building – Running drills weekly signals that this matters
Compliance – You're meeting NFPA standards for regular RIT training
Sustainable – It fits into any schedule

Ten minutes weekly beats sporadic, lengthy training. Consistency wins.

Implementation Challenge

Here's what I challenge you to do:

This week, run this drill with your crew. Do it again next week. Track your times and document what improves. Share your results, did your extraction time decrease? Did communication improve? These small wins compound into genuine proficiency.

Next Steps

Looking to expand your RIT training program? First Due Co. offers structured, scenario-based training modules that build on foundational drills like this one. Our platform helps you track progress, build custom drills, and ensure your entire department meets NFPA 1500 and 1407 standards.

start training on First Due Co. and discover how to scale your drill program across your entire department.

Your crew's safety depends on the training you provide today. Make those 10 minutes count.

Review RIT standards and best practices at NFPA 1407. Run this drill after your next shift, then keep training with First Due Co. daily drills.