Purpose:
Accountability is a critical element in the safety of all fire fighters working on the fire ground.  The purpose of the accountability system is to establish a coordinated system of monitoring and tracking personnel, and to enable the Incident Commander to identify, locate and account for the function of all personnel operating on the scene.  It also allows for a quick determination of what personnel may be in trouble and missing by virtue of unclaimed tags at the staging area.  Lastly, it assists with the decision making process by making available how many members are in staging and available for additional tasks.  Accountability is a critical element in the safety of all fire fighters working on the fire ground. Each person involved in an incident must make a personal commitment to follow all policies and procedures regarding accountability.

Procedure:
Individuals will be provided tags of different colors depending on a person’s category.  Colors will consist of Red, White, Blue, and Gold. Each individual will receive one tag and are responsible to attach it to their gear so it is accessible at all incidents.  Each tag will include the individual's name and “New Hackensack Fire Department”. Color-coding is as follows:
  Red  - Interior Fire fighter
  White  - Exterior Fire fighter
  Blue - Fire Police
  Gold - Probationary Fire fighter

ACCOUNTABILITY TAG USAGE

Upon arrival at an incident scene other then an EMS call, the fire fighter shall give his/her tag to the Staging Officer.  The Staging Officer will be responsible for the accountability system unless Incident Command assigns an Accountability Officer.  This will depend on the resources available.  The Staging and Accountability Officers should work either in close proximity to each other or remain in constant communication to assist with monitoring remaining available resources.  If the staging area has not been established upon arrival, members are to give their tags to the driver of the first arriving apparatus.  Upon its arrival, Rescue 52-55 is designated the staging area for all available manpower.  The driver of the 52-55 will send an available member to retrieve any tags held by the first arriving apparatus driver and any information regarding the assignments of those members.  The Rescue driver will initiate and assume command of the staging area until relieved by an officer or a designated member.  If possible, the driver should assign an available “Exterior” or “Probationary” fire fighter to this duty.  These members should also be used to assist in distributing tags back to members as they return to the staging area.

Members will remain in the staging area until they are assigned to a task.  Tasks will be communicated to the Staging Officer, who will then assign members to a crew.  The Staging Officer will then mark those members on the accountability board by assignment or notify the designated Accountability Officer.

Upon completion of an assignment, the officer or member in charge of the team will notify I.C. that the assignment has been completed and then report back to staging.  No member shall Freelance.  All members assigned to a team and go in to a hot zone together, will work together, stay together, and come back to staging together.  The officer or member in charge of the team is responsible for each member of that team.  It is that person’s responsibility to report to the Accountability Officer and acknowledge the safe return of all crew.  The Accountability Officer will then move each respective tag back into the available manpower bucket or clip on the accountability board.  The crew should then proceed to the staging area.

When the incident is finished and apparatus are being returned to service, or personnel have been released from the scene, members are required to retrieve your tag back from the Staging or Accountability Officer before proceeding back to your station or home.  All unclaimed tags shall be forwarded to the Incident Commander for follow-up.

MUTUAL AID PERSONNEL
All personnel responding to New Hackensack to assist the District in an incident will report to the Staging Officer. If the Mutual Aid personnel do not have a tag system established for accountability, the Staging Officer will hand write each individuals name.  The Staging Officer will keep track of the name of the individual and the fire department they are associated with.  If these members are assigned to tasks, their names will have to be placed on the Accountability board as to the tasks assigned.

FIRE FIGHTER - Responsible for staying with his/her crew at all times and ensuring that his/her name tag is delivered to staging or accountability at all times.

1ST ARRIVING APPARATUS DRIVER - The driver of the first due apparatus to each geographic side of the incident becomes the initial Accountability Officer. The Engineer must collect tags from crews and apparatus assigned to his/her side of the incident and manage accountability until retrieved by an Accountability Officer or Staging Officer.

RESCUE DRIVER - The driver of the rescue becomes the initial Accountability and Staging Officer upon arrival unless an officer has been assigned to those duties prior to arrival. The driver must collect tags from crews and other apparatus upon arrival or assign an available “Exterior” or “Probationary” member to manage accountability until relieved by an Accountability Officer or Staging Officer.

OFFICER - Responsible for keeping his/her crew intact at all times. Also is responsible for returning crew back to staging upon completion of assigned tasks.

ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICER - Responsible for accounting for all crews, maintaining an awareness of their exact location. Must collect all tags.  The Accountability Officer works closely with the Staging Officer to ensure accurate tracking of crews in the hot zone as well as in staging.

STAGING OFFICER - Responsible for teaming up with the Accountability Officer and managing all available manpower.  The Staging Officer must maintain close coordination with the Accountability Officer.

COMMAND - Responsible for all personnel. Must advise responding equipment of location of staging, if other than Rescue 52-55, and apparatus placement and initial assignments.  Must account for safe return of all members and mutual aid firefighters on the scene.