What happens when a RIT team is activated?

When a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is activated, the focus is immediately on the safety and rescue of personnel who may be in distress or in a hazardous situation. The correct action taken is that all radio traffic ceases until the emergency is resolved. This step is crucial for several reasons.

First, stopping all radio traffic helps to reduce noise and confusion on the radio frequency, allowing the RIT team and incident command to communicate clearly without interference. In high-stress situations, clear communication is vital for an effective response and coordination among responders.

Moreover, this protocol ensures that any vital information regarding the mayday situation is not lost amidst routine communications. Maintaining clear lines of communication directly related to the incident further enhances the likelihood of a successful rescue.

Additional units may indeed be called to assist during a RIT activation, but this is not the primary action described. Likewise, while fire suppression is critical in preventing further danger, the immediate concern during a mayday scenario is the safety of personnel rather than direct suppression efforts. Lastly, changing command to a different chief typically does not occur unless it is a sustained incident requiring re-evaluation of command structure.

The emphasis during the activation of a RIT is squarely on safety, communication, and effective rescue