Today, identification and security are two issues that face the emergency service community. Identification requires the necessary means to know who you are and where you are. While there are manual and automated accountability systems, they do not provide the ability to identify a firefighter when something like the WTC collapse occurs. There have been catastrophic explosions in the past (other than the WTC) and there is overwhelming evidence that more attacks will occur in the United States. Methods to address these issues are needed on several fronts.
Personnel Identification
Fire service agencies should consider using old and new technology to insure that the personnel that are being hired or volunteering to serve as firefighters are thoroughly screened. Polygraph tests have proven successful to identify concerns that might otherwise be undiscovered. While this seems extreme, it is quite useful from the standpoint of learning about problems that individuals have had with thefts, sexual misconduct and other traits that could prove harmful to the organization and to the community. One must remember that the fire service has more access to buildings and personal property than any other agency. A great deal of trust is on the line. While the issues of who is serving as a firefighter, EMT, police officer has always been important, it is even more critical today since there are those that would secretly use the emergency service identification as a cover for other unscrupulous activities - even terrorism.
Biometrics
Biometrics is rising to a higher level of importance to emergency service agencies. One definition of biometrics is 'the emerging field of technology devoted to identification of individuals using biological traits, such as those based on retinal or iris scanning, fingerprints, or face recognition'.
A thorough background check with fingerprints is prudent as a minimum level of security. Some departments are going a step further and using fingerprints as a means of station identification and accountability. In a story reported at Tech Live, the West Hamilton Beach Fire Department (Queens NY - www.whbfd.org) is engaged in a pilot program with a company called Sense Holdings (www.senseme.com). The firefighters of WHBFD now sign in and out with their fingerprints. It has been reported to be very fast and easy to see who was on duty on specific days. Chief John Velotti was quoted in the Tech Live article to say, "The men and women love it and it has helped with accountability."
Other identification/accountability systems may expand to use the retinal or iris scanning. They may be used to access emergency service facilities, to access computer terminals perhaps even to allow access to emergency vehicles. It is essential that public safety agencies secure the facilities and resources that makeup the critical infrastructure. This requires a higher level of awareness; a better knowledge of technology and a diligent effort to implement measures to protect privacy, protect data and securing facilities.
The use of biometric facial identification might one day be used to scan a crowd in an attempt to identify a serial arsonist or a terrorist. It might also be used to screen new applicants.
DNA
DNA is also an issue up for discussion. Given the severity of 9/11 and the possibility of future terrorist events. Is it in the best interest of emergency services to provide DNA of its personnel so that it can be entered into a secure DNA database? Should a DNA sample be used in a background check? This prompts a new set of questions. What DNA database storage is available? Should it be done through a secure agency such as the FBI? How secure is the DNA database? Is it possible that the DNA could be used in some unscrupulous manner? What impact does this have toward identification theft? Would this be a voluntary program for those that are interested? While there are benefits in this area, the jury is still out for now. Future events will impact the decision toward the use of DNA.
