NFPA 1407: Standard for Training Fire

Service Rapid Intervention Crews

2015 Edition

This NFPA standard contains eight chapters in addition to Annex A, B, and C. The eight

chapters are as follows:

1. Administration

2. Referenced Publications

3. Definitions

4. Rapid Intervention Training Policy and Procedures

5. RIC Instructor Requirements

6. Student Prerequisites

7. Rapid Intervention Operations Training Program

8. Required Performance for Rapid Intervention Crews (RIC)

The first chapter, Administration, summaries and clarifies why the standard exists and under

what additional NFPA standards the information is conducted under; namely NFPA 1710, and

1720. It also describes the purpose of the standard as the minimum acceptable performance

levels for training rapid intervention activities.

Chapter 2 references several other NFPA standards and documents that are to also be

considered part of the requirements under NFPA 1407. This is to help keep the document

concise, but stress the importance of the background knowledge, skills, and abilities that

firefighters, or instructors should meet for the following training.

Chapter 3 simply clarifies any terms that may need explanations, namely one of my favorites:

should vs. shall.

 The remainder of the document describes the training policies and guidelines as they pertain

to different roles such as the instructor and the student. The policy continues to describe the

different types of activities that should be conducted to meet the KSA’s that an effective

RIC/RIT member should possess.

One main point that is explained in the Annex section of the standard is the clarification and

description of what conditions constitute declaring a MAYDAY situation. The Annex also

includes a sample SOP/SOG in regard to a RIC/RIT team for fire department use; an air

management refresher; and additional training/explanation of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in

training.

Like any other NFPA standard, much of the information is in place because we have learned

from actual incidents, LODD’s, near-misses, close-calls, and injuries to fire service personnel.

The integration and use of the standard help drive the goal of safety and solid risk management

in the fire service.

Prepared by:

Brandon Hageman

4/24/2019