Chesapeake Fire Department
QA  Program   

Fire Training Topic  3

PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTS (PAR) AND TACTICAL BENCHMARKS 

Just as an Incident Management System has benchmarks (reference points) during an incident (life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation), the accountability system also has timely benchmarks when a roll call (PAR) of all personnel should be completed.  PAR's should be given face-to-face within the company, division or group; shall confirm the number of personnel; and should be required in the following situations: 

1.	When the Incident Commander feels there is a need to confirm the location and assignment of any company at an incident.
2.	At 20 minutes elapsed time of a working incident and every 20 minutes thereafter until Command advises the incident is stabilized.  The accountability officer shall advise Command of the elapsed time. Example:  "Dispatcher to Battlefield Blvd. Command, your elapsed time is now 20 minutes."
3.	By any company completing a primary search.  Company Officers will ensure a PAR of their own company when they report a "Primary search complete, all clear, PAR 3."
4.	Any report of missing or trapped fire personnel.
5.	When an evacuation is ordered.
6.	Any change from an offensive to transitional or defensive mode of operation.
7.	Any sudden hazardous event at the incident  (flashover, backdraft, explosion, or collapse).

 

POINT-OF-ENTRY CONTROL 

Point-of-entry control shall be established at any incident when the Incident Commander feels the need for more stringent accountability.  This may include high rise fires, technical rescues, Haz Mat incidents, or any incident which creates the need for tighter control of access to a hazardous area. 

PASSPORTS should remain with designated personnel at the point-of-entry to the hazardous area.  A company shall give its PASSPORT to point-of-entry personnel when entering, and collect their PASSPORT when leaving the hazardous area.  Status boards at this point-of-entry shall only contain PASSPORTS of those in the hazardous area. 

Companies exiting at a different location other than the original point-of-entry shall immediately notify point-of-entry personnel.  The PASSPORT shall be retrieved as soon as possible.  When it becomes impossible to retrieve the PASSPORT immediately, and the company is reassigned, a Make-Up PASSPORT shall be made.   

An Incident Site Pass is a laminated, numbered card used by the Incident Commander to identify and coordinate the activities of those technical specialists, governmental officials, media, etc., at an incident scene.  A log shall be used to keep track of these individuals.  Each person receiving a Site Pass shall be assigned an escort, when appropriate, to ensure the safety of all concerned.