Chesapeake Fire Department
QA  Program   

Fire Training Topic  3

LEVELS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

 The Accountability System shall operate at one of two levels during emergency incidents and shall be governed by the following principles:

 ·                     All companies and personnel shall become part of the accountability system and normally work for the Incident Commander, a division or group supervisor, or Company Officer.  Freelancing (the performance of a task without the knowledge of the person supervising you) is prohibited.

·                     The minimum company or team size shall be two or more members with a portable radio.

·                     Members of a company shall go in together, stay together, and come out together.  However, this shall not inhibit or prevent personnel from taking those emergency actions needed to avert personnel or civilian tragedy.

·                     Each supervisor shall have a clear understanding of the position and function of each person assigned to them. 

Level I: 

This level of accountability is established once units have arrived at or are assigned to a task at an emergency incident.   

1.         The personnel and PASSPORTS of all staged companies will remain with their unit if not requested.

2.         When personnel are needed at the scene, the Company Officer shall bring the PASSPORT to the first arriving unit (collection point) and place it on the Unit Status Board.

3.         When companies are assigned a position remote from the collection point, the first unit at a remote entry point should be the collection point for that side of the incident.  The PASSPORTS and tracking of those companies should be delegated as soon as possible.  Confirmation of a remote entry point shall be acknowledged by the Incident Commander. 

Level II: 

This level of accountability is initiated during working incidents.  The following should take place during Level II accountability:           

1.         When a fire officer takes command of the incident, the Unit Status Board and PASSPORTS shall be utilized at the command post (vehicle).

2.         The Incident Commander shall assign personnel to manage accountability when practical at a working incident.  This will allow the Incident Commander to more effectively manage the incident.

3.         If divisions, groups, or branches are assigned, the PASSPORTS of those companies working within the specific division, group, or branch are assigned to an officer closest to that assignment without being in the hazardous area.  The Incident Commander should then keep the removable unit tag for use at the command post.