Ideas for Accountability Systems

[redtrucks]

I'm looking for ideas to strengthen our fire ground accountability. Presently we use a system where each FF has a tag and gives it to the accountability officer before going into a structure or hot zone. We don't think this enough and would like to go to a two tag system where the operator of the truck would also receive a tag from the personal riding in the engine. We a a 45 member paid on call department that runs around 70 calls a year. We probably only have 5 to 10 sturcture fires per year. Any suggestions on what works or how to implement?

[JimMccarthy]

We use two engraved tags. Name and department are on both. They come off the helmet when you enter the rig and get placed on one of two boards. One board stays with the rig and the other gets taken by the officer on the rig to the Safety Officer or designee. They hold the board until the scene is cleared.


Stay Safe, Y'all

Jim McCarthy, RN, FF/EMT

[Catch22]

We've got a system similar to Jim's. We each have a plastic tag with our name printed on it. The tag is velcroed to a board on the apparatus. When we arrive on scene, the board is given to the IC or accountability officer, who velcros the tag to the appropriate team/sector/location/whatever and moves them accordingly.

[callaway75]

We use Two dog tags. One always remains attached to our gear, the second is hung on a ring in the rig at the sart of each tour, and checked by the officer and chauffer. If we respond to a working fire, the DC's Aide goes around to each rig and takes the ring with the tags on it to the accountability board at the command post. Seems to work very well, and the officer on the rig doesn't have to worry about finding the deputy and bringing him the tags.

[ADSNWFLD]

The Seatle created Passport Accountability system is what you are looking for. It is easy to use, flexable and can be customised to meet your needs.

A number of places make the system or you can have a local engraving place do it also.

[ADSNWFLD]

http://www.passportaccountability.com/ I've never delt with them but it looks like they have everything you would need.

[RFDACM02]

We run a two tag system. The first tag is attached to the apparatus upon arrival onscene (showing you are at the incident). The second tag is attached to a traffic cone at the point of entry(denoting you went in here). The safety officer comes in (often after the first due crews begin work) and records all who are onscene (tags on trucks). The system work very well when its used, if somene doesn't tag in or place the cone out it becomes useless. We also carry an additional 2x3" tag that says "TAG-IN" and has a string loop on one end and a metal ring on the other. If a cone is not at your entry point you hang this tag by the string end on the door knob, mailbox or porch rail and hang your last accountability tag on the metal loop end. We are looking to swith the engraved tags for ID cards that would have pertinent info on them.

[Remthedays]

Everyone has given you great ideas. I do not know the size of department or area you area in. But what ever you decide just keep it simple. Have you got a system to handle accountability for mutual aid in your area. Any SOP/SOG that works with yours or the other departments accountability system. Just a thought, stay safe and account for all.

[WCENG23]

We use the passport system county wide and it works really well for us. Name tag is placed on passport in apparatus, upon arrival an accountability officer will collect the passports and place them on the command board. Anyone arriving POV gives their tag to the accountability officer upon arrival. If you do not have a tag you are not allowed on the incident scene. Our tags are color coded : Black - Firefighter/ Engineer, Yellow - Lt.'s, Red- Capt.'s, White - Chiefs, Blue - EMS, Orange - Probationary, White tag w/ blue engraving - Emergency Management.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Accountability systems need to be kept simple.

On my FD, the shift commander gets a copy of the ride list.

The ride list with the radio designations for the positions are faxed to fire alarm at the start of each shift If an emergency button is activated, the alphanumeric display shows which radio it came , and dispatch can check the list to see who is assigned the radio and notify command.

Each firefighter has an accountability tag.

Working fire? Leave the tag in the rig.

Off duty response/callback: drop your tag with the designated officer after reporting to command.

Once the incdent is terminated.. retrieve your tag.

[kd7fds]

Our regional association has adopted the Seattle Passport system.

It works well for us. We have 28 agencies on both sides of the Idaho/Oregon border using it.

Someone told me the Oregon Chief's Association recommends it statewide in Oregon as well.

Velcro tags under the back brim of the helmet. Get on the rig, give 2 to the officer. They go small boards in the front of the truck, one stays on the truck, one goes to the IC on scene.

On wildland we add a 3rd tag to the board in the fire station.

[nwvfd93]

I strongly encourage you to check out the ABBETRIT.org website. Excellent accountability system from central PA

[LFD2203]

I have used the Clements (now Salamander Technologies), Seattle Passport, and even ear tags for livestock. My experiences have shown me one common thread. The hardware can be so complex that it can undermine the system, but, by and large, the failure of an accountability system is not the hardware, but the humans who proclaimed the necessity for buying it, accused "the man" of not doing enough to keep them safe without it.
What ever system you use, the SOP that governs it must be followed without any allowance for variation. If a company or individual doesn't have their passport/tag with them when they show up, put them on the "bench" and let them watch everyone else fight the fire, then let them reload all the hose. I've found that the company officer that has to walk 900 feet back to his apparatus to get his passport while a big fire is being fought will rarely forget the passport the next time. I wouldn't let him send one of his crewmembers, or have his driver bring it to the accountability officer. His responsibility was to get his company into the system, so he got to walk his ***** back to get it. He hasn't forgotten it since.

[allineedisu]

Tags or ID's work well.

The old way was to count the pick up trucks that were left behind after the incident and the apparatus had left the scene!

[Dickey]

We have the two tag system.

Each person is issued two tags with a label attached with their last name, rank, and radio number on them. It is a 3" long piece of aluminum bar stock with a spring hook attached with a keyring. Very cheaply made. Much better engraving the tag.

One tag goes on the rig you came in, the other goes to the entry officer if there is one set up, otherwise it goes to the officer you are with. The safety officer will then go to each rig and collect the tags and bring them to the IC.

The key is to use whatever system you decide to use. Enforce it with no tolerance. If you use it on the small stuff, it will become automatic. That is the problem we have right now is that we are trying to enforce people to use it. Slow but sure.

[5alarmcooker]

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