On Thursday, March 12th at 9:36 PM, the Sound Beach Fire Department was activated to respond to the Ridge Fire Department for a working structure fire. Our department was requested to respond as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) for the incident. All three Chiefs and Rescue 4 responded to the scene. Once on scene, the crew stood by and monitored the fireground while firefighters operated inside the structure. The department remained on standby to ensure the safety of crews operating at the fire. After approximately one hour, the department returned to service. Many people ask what a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is. A RIT is a specialized team of firefighters dedicated solely to rescuing other firefighters who may become lost, trapped, or injured during dangerous and high-risk incidents such as structure fires. The team remains fully equipped and ready to deploy immediately if a “Mayday” is called on the fireground. Members assigned to RIT must have at least two years of firefighting experience and must complete New York State certification in Rapid Intervention Team operations. 🚒 We are always looking for dedicated members to join our department. If you are interested in serving your community and training with some of the best in the fire service, please reach out to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
