Who is responsible for ensuring the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) is ready for deployment?

The responsibility of ensuring the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) is ready for deployment typically falls to the Safety Officer. This role is centered around the safety and well-being of all personnel operating at an incident. The Safety Officer is tasked with monitoring the scene, assessing risks, and making sure that safety protocols are followed.

In the context of RIC, it is essential that this team is not only prepared in terms of equipment and readiness but also fully aware of their responsibilities and the current situation at the incident scene. The Safety Officer ensures that the RIC is in position and can respond quickly if needed, providing a safety net for other firefighters who may become trapped or in distress.

While the Incident Commander has overall responsibility for the incident and the Fire Chief sets policies and protocols, the Safety Officer specifically focuses on the operational safety measures that include the readiness of the RIC. The Incident Safety Manager also plays a role in monitoring safety but within the broader scope of overall incident management. Hence, the Safety Officer is the most directly responsible for ensuring RIC readiness.