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This multiple alarm fire in the Lawrenceville section of the City of Pittsburgh involved half a city block. Such large operations places a burden on the Rapid Intervention team in covering the entire fireground. Splitting the team and providing important walk around sizeups of the buildings involved is crucial in managing the RIT standby.

It is important as well to closely watch firefighters involved in aerial operations such as this for any signs of danger or trouble. If one of these firefighters on this aerial device were to collapse in place on this ladder is your team prepared to get them down? Having a plan beforehand will greatly reduce the chaos that this type of RIT operation would produce.

Photograph by James Crawford, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire