Accountability at fire scenes

[RescueDude]

LQQKing for some input as to what system your department uses to keep track of firefighters at structure fires? and will it work with multiple agency responses?

Stay Safe
RescueDude

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[Aerial 131]

Everyone within the mutual aid agreement and for that matter within the region is using about the same sort of accountability as everyone else.

We all use the Seattle system and is seems to work all the time no matter what type of incident.

We have used in on complex multiagency and multifirefighter incidents. It works. I do not know how to say it any other way.

Mostly the driving force is the desire of everyone at to make it work and not ever let it fail. (Not acceptable, ever.

Don Zimmerman

[BayRidge60]

We use a color coded tag system. Yellow tag goes on the apparatus and the Red tag goes to the Safety Officer or door man. Works well for us, we're not a huge department. Most everyone around uses the same or a similar system. Take care and stay safe.

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Glenn Ralston
Firefighter/EMT-D
Bay Ridge Fire-Rescue
[email protected]

[firecadetak]

In my dept, all members, whether they are fire/ems or specail rescue team members are issued small 1" sq tag with name, rank, and last 4 SSN digits. As soon as they arrive on scene they give that to the staging officer.

We used to have larger ID tags with picture, EMS cert, and apparatus/equipment authorization.

[Adler]

Everyone has two name tags. In a structural fire, there is only one entrance into the perimeter of the fire and after that is established, then a member of the Jrs. or EMS will stand with a coffee can that is painted white with a red cross on it. As the members walk by, they must put one tag in it. If the person holding the can has to leave, the "can" can be seen from a distance and the color scheme is easily recognizable. Anyone found not obeying the tag/can is given a stern warning and then disciplinary actions as the chief sees fit for numerous infractions.

[EUitts]

We also use a two tag system; it is becoming the standard for the area and so far has been working very well. The key to any system is using it the same way every time, and keeping it as user-friendly as possible. E-mail me if you would like a copy of our SOG and I can send it your way.

[Lewiston2Capt]

We use a two tag color coded system. We use the standard cow tags; one red, one green. The green one stays at the truck you came in on. The red one is left with the scene accountability officer at the entrance to the "hot zone".
We have considered changing over to a picture ID tag system but no progress yet.

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Shawn M. Cecula
Captain
Lewiston Fire Co. No. 2

[MFFJoe]

We use a tag system. Each FF gets small (1/2 " x 2") plastic nametags with velcro backs (called "icons"). Their name and FD name is on them (we do a lot of mutual aid). These are color-coded by rank (FF,CO or chief officer). A small strip of velcro is attached to the underside brim of the helmet to keep the icons handy. When you go on duty you put the icon on the big velcro strip on the officer's door of the engine, ladder, etc. This has the unit's name and is called a "passport". At the incident, the safety officer collects the passports with all attached icons for accountability. It works very well. If you want more info (SOP's, etc.) give me your email address and I'll forward them.

[Litch]

A single, county wide system was recently established here. Everyone got their picture taken and a photo ID tag was made. One side has your photo and you dept ID #. The other side has a colored bar code with your qualifications - fire, vehicle rescue, EMS, HazMat, technical rescue. The tag is sealed inside a pouch which can be cut open if you get hurt. In the middle is medical and contact information in case you get hurt. You give the tag to the accountability officer before entering the incident area. We also have tags that you hang on a ring at your seat on the apparatus.

[Fireboy422]

We use a two tag system, on tag has your name, address emergency contacts, medical conditions, stuff like that, that tag goes to the IC. the second has only your name on it, this tag goes to the officer in charge of your crew (roof, interior, rehab, exc..) whenever you change jobs, you take your tag with you and give it to the next officer you'll be working under, that way, the officer knows exactly how is working on his team, plus the IC can move tags around to keep and idea of what's going on and who's where, we always radio when somebody changes position. The departments we get aid from only have a one tag system so that tag goes with them, rather to the IC, the sector officers are ultimately in charge of accountability. to store the tags, we put one on our helmets (the one for the IC) and the other is attached to our PASS alarm keys (removing the tag activates the PASS alarm, that way, no one forgets to activate, everybody is a little safer). We also have rehab keys, so when you go to rehab, your officer still has your name, but you can disarm your PASS alarm. E-mail me if you have any questions/comments.

-FF D. BETKA
NSFD
Norton Shores, MI

[flash32]

in my dept we are given 4 tags with velcro on the back of it. we store them on the underside of the helmet. there is a truck tag and we put our personal tags on that and then give the truck tag to the incident comand when on scene. and we use the rest whenever an officer incharge asks for them. on the tag we have our last name and, and abriviated dept name. it works great when you remeber to take them off you helmet.

[LHS*]

Firefighter safety is the department’s number one goal. No cow tag system would accomplish personal accountability adequately. The whole idea of collecting tags if you get around to it or if something goes bang in the night seems unworkable. With the combination of air pack integrated PASS devices that turn themselves on and turnout mounted radio transmitting PASS devices that broadcast to command who is on scene everyone is safer.


The radio transmitting Grace T-PASS is an electronic PASS device carried on each firefighters turnout coat. They are electronicly encoded with the firefighters name. Every firefighter on the fire ground regardless of whether they’ve turned the T-PASS on has his name listed on the electronic display in the cab of each rig. Even members who arrive in their POV are indicated on the command receiver.




Each T-PASS functions just like any other PASS device. If you stop moving for 17 seconds it chirps. If you don't move in the next 7 seconds it sounds. You can manually sound the PASS as well. Plus it transmits via radio frequency to the command receiver. p>


When the signal is received by the command receivers, three things occur: A vocal announcement sounds indicating that a firefighter is in distress. Two flashing lights on the lid of the Command Receiver indicate an alarm condition. The name of the individual in distress is prominently displayed on the LCD screen. Additionally, a relay connection within the receiver is utilized to activate an 8 inch roof mounted gong and red warning light. A visual and audible alarm is sounded at the wearer.


Command instantly calls the firefighter via radio and asks what's up. In addition to instant notification to command the second an alarm is sounded it also notifies if a unit is not turned on. Once again the accountability officer would call on the radio and tell the wearer by name to turn on their PASS. If for some reason the PASS runs out of batteries, falls off, or the wearer goes out of range the unit tells command firefighter JONES PASS is not transmitting. Once again command would contact the wearer via radio. p>


In mutual aid events the system instantly integrates with up to 1547 other T-PASS users. Information that can be stored and retrieved from the PC interface with the command receiver: The time each individual reported on the scene. The time that each PASS device was activated. The names of individuals who go out of range, and the time that this occurred. The identity of an individual in alarm, as well as the time that the alarm condition occurred.

The T-PASS looks like any other PASS device it just has an antenna. The unit is attached to every set of turnouts in the department.