Accountability systems

[Chewy]

What type of system our you using? 1 tag or 2?If your using two,how and where do you collect it?Our first tag goes on the Apparatus, the second goes on a board at every point of entry. Any input would be helpfull.

[fftex]

My company uses a tag on a pasport for everybody on the apparatus, and a tag is given to command. We also keep extras on our helmets for when we break up into smaller crews. Hope this helps.

FFTex

[bjhfd]

We also use the two tag system. 1 goes on the truck you came on(or if you arrive in your POV, the first truck you see) The second tag goes on the board at the door you entered, or hanging from the door you entered, if the accountability person is not yet set up.

[Poin28]

We use a 3 tag system. 1 tag on the apparatus you arrived on, 1 at the point of entry, and 1 stays on your person at all times. Inside the plastic laminated card, we have all necessary vital info listed; Allergies, Meds, Dr's name and number, Emergency contacts, blood type, typical BP and pulse, etc.

[BFD847]

We have a passport stysem similar to what fftex mentioned. One "puck" with every person on the truck stays in the truck. The other is givento command. We also have one extra on our helmet with no real idea of what to do with it.

[firecadetak]

We also have started to use the passport system like the others said above.

[Firescueguy]

How many tags you use really depends on how many FF's you have. If you're a small FC with only say 20 members, you probably can't spare anyone to collect a second tag at the door ("point of entry"). At least with the 1 tag hooked to the apparatus collector ring, you know who came with what truck & that will give you a ballpark idea
where your FF's should be inside the house.

If you've got enough members to justify 2 tags, then that is the way to go. 1st tag gets hooked
to collector ring, 2nd tag goes to safety officer @ the door. If you're in a pinch & short on manpower, you can use a "probie", EMT, fire police, etc. to collect the tags, they just collect them & try to keep track of who's where until the safety officer/chief arrives.

Many depts. are now issuing a 3rd tag (without hardware) that the FF keeps in the inside coat pocket. This way even if all their tags are where they should be (truck ring & with safety officer), their medical info is still with them at all times. Bear in mind, the ONLY system that has the medical info sealed inside is the Clemens PAS which I distribute - that's how I know depts. are doing this.

The best advice I can give regarding accountability is this:

1 - Keep it tailored to what YOU need for YOUR
dept. -if you have 20 guys, keep it simple.
If you have enough FF's & want to try color
coding, that's fine but make it work for your
dept. - it can look all fancy but if you know
your guys won't use it, then it's a total
waste.

2 - Train on accountability, it's sounds silly
but there are SOOOO many depts. that have
tags & don't actually know how to use them -
a missed or downed FF on the fireground is
NOT the time to learn your system.

3 - Pardon the pun, but make all your members
accountable - ALL FF's must tag in @ EVERY
alarm, even that dumpster fire @ 3 AM.
Repetition makes the system work &
especially make your officers accountable for
ensuring their crews "tag in" - best bet is
hang the collector ring in between the driver
& officer, this way he or she makes sure
everyone is tagged in & then they just hand
the ring to the chief/safety officer upon
arrival (if it's a big burner, a one
room "snot job" it usually stays with the
truck).

Hope my 2 cents helps you out. If you would like to see the Clemens PAS (incredibly popular system because it's simple & it WORKS, I've done over 80 FD's throughout the US from 20 to 200 members), check out the accountability page on my website @ www.fire-rescueoutfitters.com FYI - I am the East Coast (and beyond) distributor so I serve CT in case your dept. is looking for tags.

Stay Safe.

[ADSNWFLD]

Our area has addopted the PASSPORT Acountability system as developed by Seatle. It works well if you use it!
Whatever you use it needs to be worked with on everything, from fire alarms to training to actual incidents.