Firefighter Accountability Protocols

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a personnel accountability system?

To provide safety gear to personnel on site

To assign tasks to each individual on the scene

To track personnel involved in operations (correct)

To monitor equipment and resources during an incident

Who has the greatest stake in the accountability system while operating in the Hazard Zone?

Supervisory personnel

Incident Commanders

Division Supervisors

Company Officers (correct)

Which of the following is NOT one of the responsibilities of a Company Officer in the Hazard Zone?

Following departmental guidelines

Utilizing the passport accountability system

Maintaining crew integrity through voice, vision, and touch

Supervising personnel outside the Hazard Zone (correct)

What should be assigned when two or more units are working in one geographical area?

A Division Supervisor Signup and view all the answers

What is the suggested maximum entry depth into the Hazard Zone?

175' to 200' Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the apparatus card?

To hold the nametags of personnel assigned to that apparatus Signup and view all the answers

Which personnel is responsible for delivering the apparatus card to the accountability location?

The Apparatus Operator Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with the nametags of personnel not entering the Hot Zone?

They should be removed from the passports Signup and view all the answers

What items should personnel store under the brim of their helmet?

Two nametags Signup and view all the answers

When should the Accountability System be activated?

At all incidents involving hazardous areas and multiple company responses Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of safety is emphasized for every fireground member?

Firefighter safety and personnel accountability Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel do with their nametags throughout their shift?

Add and remove them as necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is a passport in the context of fireground accountability?

An apparatus card that lists the nametags of crew members entering the Hot Zone Signup and view all the answers

What should be the company's status noted as during recycling?

Recycling Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for coordinating the movement of passports from the Hot Zone to the Warm Zone?

Division Supervisor Signup and view all the answers

What action should the Division Supervisor take if rehabilitation is needed?

Provide a passport and notify Incident Command Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a mutual aid department is on scene using a different system?

The incident commander remains responsible Signup and view all the answers

What should happen to the passport if the apparatus is the first on scene?

It should remain on the apparatus Signup and view all the answers

Who is primarily responsible for safety responsibilities within a division?

The Division Supervisor Signup and view all the answers

What enhances tactical level accountability for the Division Supervisor?

Pairing with a Support Officer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Incident Commander at the Hazard Zone Strategic Level?

Overall safety and hazard zone management Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the Division Supervisor at the tactical level?

Deploying resources in the hazard zone Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key safety responsibilities at the tactical level?

Managing work-rest cycles and air management Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between the Division Supervisor and other Division Supervisors?

Division Supervisors must coordinate to achieve tactical objectives. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a responsibility of the Incident Commander?

Continuously evaluating critical fireground factors Signup and view all the answers

What does the Division Supervisor need to ensure aligns with the Incident Commander's strategy?

The Division Incident Action Plan Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of all personnel regarding crew continuity?

Crew integrity must be maintained. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for ensuring a minimum of two personnel are assigned to each team?

Company officer, Incident Commander, or Division Supervisor. Signup and view all the answers

What should happen if a firefighter is unaccounted for in a team?

They should be automatically assumed lost or trapped. Signup and view all the answers

Where should crews exit a Hazard Zone after their assignment?

At the same point where they entered. Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement when multiple companies are assigned to a hazardous area?

A Division Supervisor should manage the division. Signup and view all the answers

What should be tracked to manage air supply effectively?

The time 'in' and time 'out' by Division Supervisors. Signup and view all the answers

What action should crews take after exiting the Hazard Zone?

Conduct a PAR face-to-face with Division Supervisors. Signup and view all the answers

Who should crews communicate with upon exiting a hazardous area?

They must report to the Division Supervisor or Support Officer. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the Personnel Accountability Reports (PARs) during a Mayday situation?

A NO-PAR policy is in effect once a Mayday is transmitted. Signup and view all the answers

Who remains responsible for accountability when a single company is left on scene?

The company officer is responsible for all operational levels of accountability. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Incident Commander (IC) concerning Personnel Accountability Reports once incident stabilization is achieved?

The IC may discontinue regular PARs. Signup and view all the answers

When does accountability remain in effect according to the guidelines?

Accountability remains until the last company leaves the scene. Signup and view all the answers

What responsibility does the company officer have upon returning to service?

Returning apparatus passes to their proper location. Signup and view all the answers

What is the required frequency for conducting a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) during structure fires?

Every 15 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which report indicates a change in company location or departure from an area?

Status Change Signup and view all the answers

What must all subsequent companies deliver to the designated accountability location?

Passport Signup and view all the answers

How should ongoing accountability be maintained during emergency incidents?

Via visual observation, periodic reporting, or PAR Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the Priority Traffic reports?

Emergent changes in the hazard zone Signup and view all the answers

Who maintains task level personnel accountability during operations?

Company Officers Signup and view all the answers

After what conditions should a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) be conducted?

After any change in conditions affecting firefighter safety Signup and view all the answers

What does the CAN Report stand for?

Conditions, Actions, and Needs Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the guideline SFD.008?

To increase accountability for personnel at emergency incidents Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for complying with the guideline SFD.008?

All Spring Fire Department personnel Signup and view all the answers

What does the passport system consist of?

An apparatus card and name tags Signup and view all the answers

What size is the nametag used in the passport system?

$rac{1}{4}$" x 2" Signup and view all the answers

Which NFPA standard does the guideline ensure compliance with?

NFPA 1561 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Incident Accountability

The Spring Fire Department's (SFD) Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) SFD.008, Revision 02, establishes protocols for personnel accountability during incidents.
The primary objective is to ensure firefighter safety by implementing a system to track all personnel operating on-scene.
The SOG dictates that all department personnel are responsible for complying with its guidelines.
The SOG mandates accountability when operating in hazardous areas, hazardous atmospheres, or Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) atmospheres.

Passport System

The Passport System provides a physical method for tracking personnel by utilizing apparatus cards and nametags.
An apparatus card is a plastic card that carries nametags for all personnel assigned to that particular apparatus.
Company officers remove nametags of crew members who do not enter the "Hot Zone", ensuring only those who are actively operating are accounted for.
The Passport System is crucial for maintaining an accurate count of firefighters operating in high-risk zones.

Fireground Accountability System

The system consists of a comprehensive framework for continuously monitoring the status of all emergency personnel, including SFD personnel and assisting agencies.
The Accountability System is activated for incidents involving hazardous areas and for multiple company responses.
The System is designed for continuous oversight, minimizing the risk of losing track of firefighters operating in challenging conditions.

Hazard Zone Responsibilities

The SOG outlines accountability responsibilities at the incident level, from the task level to the strategic command level.
The Company Officer is responsible for task level activities and crew integrity, utilizing the Passport System, maintaining visual contact within the "Hot Zone", and responsible for assigning members to the "Hot Zone".
The Division Supervisor manages the tactical level, responsible for managing the Passport System, work-rest cycles, and air management.
The Incident Commander manages the strategic level, responsible for overall safety and hazard management.
The SOG emphasizes the communication and reporting procedures for maintaining accountability within each level:
- The Division Supervisor reports back to the Incident Commander.
- Company Officers report to the Division Supervisor.
- The use of continuous radio traffic ensures immediate communication throughout the incident.

Key Accountability Procedures

The SOG requires a face-to-face Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) to be completed.
PARs are performed every 15 minutes for members assigned to the incident scene, ensuring accountability for all firefighters.
Key components of a PAR include:
- Company status updates
- Recycling, where firefighters are temporarily removed from the Hot Zone, but remain within the incident scene.
- Rehabilitation, where firefighters are dispatched to a designated area for rest and recovery after being assigned to a location.
- Mutual Aid information, ensuring accountability of firefighters from assisting departments are included.

Reporting and Accountability

Apparatus Response Procedures: When an apparatus responds to an incident, the company officer takes charge of the accountability process.
The company officer is responsible for ensuring the apparatus passport is ready for delivery to the designated accountability location, Division Supervisor, or Support Officer - however, there are exceptions to this rule when only a single company or unit is on scene or when an apparatus is the first to arrive.
Subsequent Arriving Companies: All subsequently arriving companies are required to deliver their apparatus cards to the designated accountability location.
Communication is key to ensuring accountability. Regular reports and communication are vital for maintaining an accurate record of personnel locations and resources.
Communication methods include:
- CAN (Conditions, Actions, and Needs) reports
- Status Changes
- Priority Traffic:
  - Immediate changes in the "Hazard Zone" operations.
  - Inability to complete assignments.
  - Actions or events that would change an Incident Action Plan (IAP).
- Strategic Shifts: This refers to crucial transitions in the overall plan.

Mayday Situations

A Mayday situation is declared whenever firefighters are unaccounted for in a hazardous area.
The company officer, Incident Commander, Division Supervisor, or Support Officer are responsible for ensuring a minimum of two personnel are assigned to each company, team, or task.
During a Mayday, the "No-PAR" policy is activated, highlighting the urgency and focus solely on retrieving the missing firefighter.

Termination:

Accountability procedures remain in place throughout the incident and do not end until the last company leaves the scene.
The responsibility for accounting shifts to the last remaining company.
The company officer is responsible for all three levels of accountability when a single company remains on scene.
The SOG emphasizes the continued importance of accountability even after the primary incident is addressed.

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Description

Explore the essential protocols for personnel accountability as outlined in the Spring Fire Department's Standard Operating Guideline SFD.008. This quiz focuses on ensuring the safety of firefighters through effective tracking systems like the Passport System, designed for use in hazardous environments. Test your understanding of these critical safety measures.