Personnel Accountability in Fire Rescue

Purpose

• Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue aims to protect all personnel working in hazardous zones by implementing an accountability system.

Policy

• The policy states that all personnel must be accounted for.
• The policy defines roles and responsibilities, when to use the accountability system, how to establish accountability, and its implementation on mutual aid incidents.

Definitions

• Personnel Accountability Report (PAR): A roll call of all personnel assigned to the hazard zone. It is conducted by the Company Officers and/or Division Supervisors.
• 'T' Card: A card used for accountability at multiagency or complex incidents.
• Telestaff™ Daily Roster: A list of members and their assigned units each day.
• Tactical Worksheet: A template for recording incident details like resource status, assignment, personnel inventory, tactical benchmarks, and incident timeline.
• Command Board: A dry erase board used on first-out fire apparatus and command vehicles to maintain command, accountability, and tactical drawing.
• APAA: Personnel Accountability Software.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Operations Chief: Implements, supervises, and reviews the Personnel Accountability System.
• Training Chief: Ensures all personnel receive training on the Personnel Accountability System.
• Incident Commander: Maintains awareness of all resources at emergency incidents, is responsible for accountability and the implementation of the Incident Command System, and ensures accountability throughout the incident.
• Support Officer: Completes and maintains the Tactical Worksheet, may use APAA software for additional accountability.
• Battalion Commander: Notifies company officers and other Battalion Commanders of changes to the Telestaff ™ daily roster and ensures they have a printed copy of it.
• Company Officers: Have a printed copy of the Telestaff™ daily roster on their apparatus, ensure a new roster is placed on the apparatus in case of staff changes, and are always accountable for their assigned crew or division personnel.

Use of the Personnel Accountability System

• The Personnel Accountability System is mandatory at incidents that meet any of the following criteria:
  • Three or more Fire Department Units operating at the scene.
  • A hazardous materials incident.
  • Presence of an IDLH atmosphere.
  • All structure fires.
  • As deemed necessary by the officer in command.

Establishing Incident Accountability

• The first officer at the scene implements the Personnel Accountability System when initiating or assuming Incident Command.
• Command declares who is responsible for accountability after the Initial Radio Report.
• The first Battalion Commander or Chief Officer assumes command and accountability upon arrival.
• APAA can be used for large or complex incidents.

Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)

• A PAR is only requested by command after an emergency traffic declaration.
• The report method is one of the following:
  • Units report their identification and a PAR directly to Command or the division supervisor upon exiting the hot zone.
  • Command conducts a roll call of units operating in the hot zone. Units report their identification and a PAR.

Mutual Aid Assisting on Events

• In the case of mutual aid, accountability is maintained for each unit using the following procedure:
  • Establish Unified Command with the responding agency if possible.

This quiz focuses on the accountability system implemented by Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue for personnel in hazardous zones. It covers key definitions, roles, responsibilities, and the tools used for accountability during mutual aid incidents. Test your understanding of the crucial policies and procedures that ensure safety and coordination in emergency situations.