The orgin of F.A.S.T.

F.A.S.T stands for Firefighter Assist Search Team.  This is the same concept for R.I.T.

The following is taken from FDNY Rescue Co. 4, as written by a well respected, retired chief:

March 5th, 1991 a NYC firefighter was killed in the line of duty. FF Al Ronaldson, Rescue Company 3 died after a collapse at a three alarm Bronx fire. The building was a two story commercial occupancy with a row of stores on the first floor and a large second floor ballroom type occupancy.

All of the following is public record.

A number of years ago I went to a fire service trade show. At this show there was a booth selling FAST truck equipment. I asked one of the salesmen if he knew the origin of the FAST truck. He laughed and said what version do you have, there are so many. The origin of the FAST truck should be known, and remembered. A firefighter died giving it birth.

Prior to 1991 the FDNY had a response call for firefighter assistance at an incident. This was an engine company which could be called, it was acronym ed the FAT, Firefighter Assist Team, engine. It was seldom called for or ever used. I had been a chief officer for 15 years at this time and had never called for a FAT engine at any of my fires.

During the Bronx fire on 3/5/91 a large section (10'X10') of floor collapsed over the first floor store of origin. Several minutes later the body of a firefighter was seen in the collapse debris by other members. It was not known at that time if Ronaldson had rode the collapse down or had fallen into the hole to the floor below. At the LOD investigation several days later it was found and determined that Ronaldson had fallen into the collapse hole suffering fatal injuries. This determination was made on the testimony at this hearing by Lt. Puggy Walsh, Field Communications Unit. Puggy is a well liked and well respected member (now retired) of the FDNY. Puggy ran classes for residents wishing to become FDNY members and was coach of the FDNY football team. Puggy testified that on his arrival at the fire as he was exiting the rig he heard a loud noise which was the collapse, followed by HT chatter of the collapse. As he was doing his building walk-by for his size-up reports he heard someone call his name. He looked up and saw Ronaldson at a second floor window waving hello, they were friends. He waved back and continued his walk-by. A few minutes later he heard the HT mayday of a firefighter down. After the hello Ronaldson in a heavy smoke condition continued his second floor search for fire extension or trapped occupants.

FDNY line of duty deaths are investigated by the Federal Governments OSHA, for possible safety violations. Several months after Ronaldson's death the FDNY was found by OSHA to be in violation of safety practices. These violations are serious as they can not only lead to hundred's of thousands dollar fines, but more importantly to mandated operational policies/orders. Several weeks after this notification a hearing was held at department headquarters with OSHA reps on the violation. On the FDNY side of the table was the Chief of Department, Chief of Operations and five of six staff chief's. As Manhattan/Bronx Commander I was at the table.OSHA was represented by a woman in her 40's who knew nothing about the fire service and a chief officer from a small mid-west Fire Department. The chief said nothing, she was a bulldog. She found that because Ronaldson's officer had no response back on the HT before the mayday and did nothing, that this was a serious safety violation. The officer did call Ronaldson twice on the HT a minute apart. After the second call he went looking for Ronaldson, hearing the man-down mayday as he went to do so. She wanted to mandate procedures in the FDNY that on no response HT response back the company officer must notify the IC of a missing man, and the IC MUST then order all members out of the fire building for a head count. We said that this in itself would jeopardize firefighter safety as it would allow increased fire involvement and extended extinguishment time. We stated HT transmissions may not be heard due to HT off, low volume, defects, noise (saws) in the area etc. To finally satisfy the violation the FAST truck concept was born. We agreed that at every working fire a truck company would be called over the assignment for firefighter assistance if/when needed. I myself thought that this was a mistake, that it would only add to another truck company being out of its assigned area for local fire response. I was wrong, the lady who knew nothing was right.

The FAST truck concept is now standard throughout the United States. FAST trucks have saved many firefighter lives, and will continue to do so. Twenty-one years ago today FF Al Ronaldson, Rescue Company 3, FDNY heroically gave his life in the service of his city. He gave his life that night and a lot of firefighters have gone home at the end of their tour because of him. The birth of the FAST truck should be known, and remembered.