RAT Equipment

There are many different beliefs on RAT equipment, what is needed and what is not.  The first thing we are going to talk about is the capability to remove window bars and other barriers that require being removed.  The number 1 job of the RAT is to first make the fire building exit paths as accessible as possible.  We do this by removing window bars, air conditioners, child safety bars, opening doors that may be locked, and setting ladders to the roof and upper floors.  Besides ladders which we are not going to go into at this time the next proactive RAT tool is a Metal Cutting Saw.  We tested and found we like the 14 inch Tiger Tooth diamond Blade.  The benefit of this metal cutting blade is that you can always cut through 5 inches of material.  The blade does not lose its diameter like abrasive blades do.  This blade was tested on Stihl TS 400s and worked fine, however it runs even better on a Partner 1250.  You can cut most metals, concrete, brick, PVC, and has some wood cutting capability.  This tool gives you rapid access through garage doors, fire doors, security gates and window bars just to name a few of our egress barriers.Whenever these barriers are being removed it is not necessary or suggested to break the glass that is being covered.  

A variety of Hand Tools that you and your company are familiar with and can use in multiple situations is also very helpful.  We have found that the following tools offer a lot of options:

• Bow Saw

• 8 Pound Flat Axe

• 8 Pound Sledge Hammer

• 1 or 2 Haligans

• 6 foot steel hook

• Bolt cutters

• Thermal Imaging Camera

• Radio for all personnel

• Flashlight for all personnel

Moving on to additional tools that are helpful if the RAT has to respond to a Mayday call.

(WAS) Wide Area Search Rope

Should consist of 200 feet of 8 mm or larger rope.  Depending on company may or may not have knot tied in every 20 feet  so you can benchmark your distance in the building.  Also the knots are often laid out that 2 knots or multiple knots to 1 will take you to the sun.  We have tested and like the Chicago rope system and bag.  The system is very manageable for the control person handling the rope.  This rope system can be purchased with many different options.

RAT BAG

• The RAT BAG should at the very minimum consist of the following components:
• Quality bag that can be easily  carried and deployed
• 1 hour cylinder
• Mask mounted regulator and mask
• 9-12 foot transfill hose with NFPA fitting
• 100-150 feet of 8 millimeter or larger RAT removal line
• Flashlight
• 4 Webbing Loops with Carabiners
• Trauma Shears
• Wire Cutters