Bridgeport Fire Department Personnel Accountability System PDF

Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #518 Effective Date : 09/01/2005 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 12/01/2021 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM 1. Purpose 1.1. 2. Applicability 2.1. 3. To provide a level of personnel accountability at an emergency incident to commensurate with incident co...

Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #518 Effective Date : 09/01/2005 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 12/01/2021 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM 1. Purpose 1.1. 2. Applicability 2.1. 3. To provide a level of personnel accountability at an emergency incident to commensurate with incident complexity and scope. Emergency incidents including but not limited to structural fires, hazardous materials, special rescue, and hazards which result in a span of control requiring the Incident Command System to track a real time location and function of operating units and personnel. Definitions 3.1. Personnel Accountability System - A system that readily identifies both the unit, location and function of all members operating at an incident scene, initiated at the beginning, and maintained throughout incidents. 3.2. Accountability Board - Equipment usually consisting of a portable command table, computer tablet, or monitor display used for illustrating and tracking of units, resources, and personnel at an incident located at the Formal Command Post. 3.3. Unit Accountability Ring - Metal ring with identifying unit tag to which individuals attach their individual Accountability Tags to form a working unit within an Incident Command System. 3.4. Accountability Tag - A plastic or metal identification card with clip assigned to individual members with information such as department, name, rank, and picture. 3.5. Temporary Accountability Tag - Blank plastic tag with clip used by member when personal Accountability Tag is not available. Basic information is written on tag before use. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #518 Effective Date : 09/01/2005 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 12/01/2021 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM 4. 3.6. Shift Roster - Roster of personnel working currently in paper or electronic version. 3.7. Span of Control - The number of units or individuals that can be effectively supervised by a single person. Traditionally considered as 3-7 for a single supervisor. 3.8. All Hands - All on-scene resources are assigned a task and expected to be working for an extended period of time. Also used for Hazmat, Technical Rescue, or other non-fire related incidents. Responsibility 4.1. Incident Commander (IC) 4.1.1. Assign tasks to units and individuals based on SOP#513 and incident needs. 4.1.2. Ensure a level of accountability is maintained based on span of control, incident complexity, and hazard to personnel. 4.1.3. Direct Aide or assign other personnel to maintain accountability using Portable Accountability Board when appropriate. 4.2. Battalion Chief's Aide 4.2.1. Shall use a shift roster to account for on scene personnel at all incidents. 4.2.2. Shall use portable Accountability Board to account for personnel on scene when directed by IC or when IC declares the incident is an "All Hands" working incident. 4.2.3. Shall maintain a current accountability of units and personnel with information from IC, Company Officers, and radio communications based on but not limited to SOP #102. 4.3. Company Officer (CO) 4.3.1. Shall notify both Battalion Chiefs of any staffing changes occurring Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #518 Effective Date : 09/01/2005 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 12/01/2021 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM throughout the shift so that the shift roster is updated. 4.3.2. Shall ensure that two accountability rings with the correct personnel accountability tags are current as to the individuals operating with the unit. Temporary Accountability Tags are to be used when assigned tags are absent. 4.3.3. Provide one Accountability Ring to the Aide when requested. 4.4. On Call/Ancillary Personnel 4.4.1. On call and individual responders not on the shift roster shall check in and leave their Accountability Tag with the individual monitoring the Accountability System upon arriving. 4.5. All Personnel 4.5.1. All personnel shall have active participation with the accountability systems. 4.5.2. Personnel are responsible for their own Accountability Tags. All personnel shall store tags on the front of their turnout coat while off duty. If tags are lost, temporary tags shall be obtained and used immediately. Members shall remove their tags only after completing the work shift or changing company assignments with CO's approval. 5. Policy 5.1. The Bridgeport Fire Department shall implement an accountability system using shift roster and accountability tags at the following incidents. 5.1.1. Multi Company responses not generally requiring extensive supervision due to hazards to personnel, length, complexity, and not exceeding span of control for Incident Commander of four (4) units working. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #518 Effective Date : 09/01/2005 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 12/01/2021 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM 5.2. The Bridgeport Fire Department shall implement an accountability system using an Accountability Board at a formal command post at the following incidents. 5.2.1. Fire incident which is indicated as "All Hands" by the Incident Commander. 5.2.2. Hazardous Materials Incidents meeting Level III criteria per SOP #519. 5.2.3. Special Rescue and Hazardous Incidents including but not limited to rope, trench, structural collapse, confined space. 5.2.4. Larger scale incidents which require combining multiple units under designated supervisors with the intent of easing the span of control on the Incident Commander. 5.2.5. Incidents requiring expansion of the Incident Command System that exceed a span of control for the Incident Commander of four (4) units working. 5.3. 6. The Bridgeport Fire Department shall maintain SOP #519 Emergency Evacuation as a part of the any accountability system used. Procedure 6.1. Utilizing daily rosters and accountability tags as an accountability system. 6.1.1. A current staffing roster shall be carried or available electronically to the Incident Commander during the incident. 6.1.2. Notepads, dry erase pad, or another visual instrument shall be used to track unit location and function. 6.1.3. Unit accountability rings shall remain on the apparatus until collected by the Command Staff if needed due to loss of roster, questionable accuracy of the roster, shift changes, and staffing not reflected in roster. Accountability Rings to be available as a failsafe measure in case of catastrophic event preceding establishment of Formal Command. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #518 Effective Date : 09/01/2005 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 12/01/2021 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM 6.1.4. Unit accountability rings shall be brought to Command Post or designated accountability officers when Bridgeport Units respond to mutual aid outside the City. 6.2. Utilizing the Accountability Board as an accountability system. 6.2.1. A formal Command Post shall be established, Accountability Board set up, and the location of the Command Post relayed to Emergency Communications Center (ECC). ECC shall repeat the location on Bridgeport Channel 1 and on the assigned incident fireground channel. 6.2.2. The Chief's Aide shall stay with the Accountability Board during the incident. The Incident Commander may assign additional personnel to assist or take over the Aide's duties. 6.2.3. The Aide shall have two radios available to monitor Bridgeport Channel 1 and the assigned fireground channel. 6.2.4. Information to be recorded on the Accountability Board at set up to include but not be limited to: ➢ Name of Incident and Address of Incident ➢ Incident Commander ➢ Time of Incident Dispatch (trigger count-up timer) ➢ Assigned Fireground Channel ➢ Units assigned to incident and their current location and function 6.2.5. Incident information shall be received from radio traffic, the IC, Company Officers, electronic devices, and visual observations of the scene. This information shall be used to update the Accountability Board to present as up to the minute visual and tactile representation as possible of the following but not limited to the following: ➢ Unit locations and assignments ➢ Entry Teams entering and exiting hazardous locations or atmospheres ➢ Additions and subtractions of units or individuals assigned to incident Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #518 Effective Date : 09/01/2005 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 12/01/2021 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM ➢ Units combined under Branches, Groups and Division with clear identification of leader 7. Forms 7.1 Shift staffing roster available from department staffing program. BY ORDER OF THE FIRE CHIEF