Cass County fire departments complete Rapid Intervention Team Training

Last Updated on February 15, 2025 by Cass County Emergency Management Agency

Thanks to a Public Safety Education and Training Grant from NIPSCO Cass County fire personnel from multiple agencies and departments were able to spend Saturday learning how to be better prepared for situations where one of their own might need assistance. The grant, awarded to the Cass County Emergency Management Agency, funded a full day of Rapid Intervention Team Training held at the Walton Fire Department and an unoccupied residential structure made available for fire personnel to train in.

Rapid Intervention Teams are used when firefighters find themselves in trouble on the fireground. This can happen during any fireground function including fire suppression, searching for victims, ventilation or even when attempting to perform RIT Actions themselves.

Saturday’s training, conducted by PL Vulcan Fire Training prepared firefighters from multiple agencies how to perform RIT actions with equipment they are most likely to already have with them. Instructors delivering the program have been involved in actual firefighter rescues and establishing successful RIT programs in other jurisdictions. Techniques taught can help expedite the removal of a firefighter in need of assistance. This class covered various drags, carries, high point rescue, and airway management of a downed firefighter.

Course participants came from the following agencies:

Cass County Emergency Management Agency

Cass County Fire District 1

Georgetown Fire Department

Harrison Township Fire Department – Lucurne

Logansport Fire Department

New Waverly Fire Department

Royal Center Fire Department

Walton Community Fire Department

Young America Fire Department 

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Emergency Management Agency