AAINTRODUCTION
The Las Vegas Fire Department will use the EMERGENCY INCIDENT ACCOUNTABILITY (PASSPORT) system as adopted by the Southern Nevada Fire Chiefs, in conjunction with the Incident Command System, to identify individual members of a team and their assignments, and account for the assignment of teams and units at an emergency incident.
AAPurpose:The Las Vegas Fire Department will use the PASSPORT System to account for the location and safety of all personnel within an emergency incident perimeter at an emergency incident. Participation by members of the Fire Department in emergency incident mitigation without entering the following accountability system is unauthorized.
BAScope:The PASSPORT Accountability System will be expanded to accommodate multiple-alarm companies, volunteer response companies, individuals, support agencies, and all those deemed necessary by the Incident Commander for each incident.
CAAuthor:The Drillmaster through the SOP Coordinator shall be responsible for the revisions and annual review of this instruction.
DAAuthority:The PASSPORT ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM has been adopted to meet the requirements of NIOSH “96”, NFPA 1500 6-1.6, and NFPA 1561.
EAObjectives:
aATo systematically determine the safety and location of all personnel at an emergency incident.
bATo identify whether or not a need has arisen to change the “Action Plan” and re-focus resources to the more immediate need.
FADefinitions:Reference Appendix I
BBRESPONSIBILITY
ABIncident Commander, Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Area Managers and Team Leaders at an emergency incident will use the PASSPORT Accountability System to account for those individuals within their direct span of control, as outlined in this procedure.
BBIncident Commander, Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Area Managers, Team Leaders, as well as, Firefighters will; 1) use the PASSPORT Accountability System to account for personnel; 2) maintain an awareness of each other’s physical condition; and 3) use the command structure to request help, relief, and reassignment of fatigued or injured crews or members.
CBCompany Officers, Team Leaders, and individual fire fighters are accountable for the safety of themselves and other members of their team. Team members will maintain a constant awareness of the position and function of all members working with them.
aBTeam members must always be in contact with each other through one of the following methods:
B1BVOICE (Not by radio)
B2BVISUAL
B3BTOUCH
Exception:Radio or phone contact is permissible for Incident Commander, Incident Command Support Staff, Section Chiefs, Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Area Managers and Team Leaders, Lobby Control Teams, Apparatus Operators, etc. where the location of such personnel is constant and is known by the remainder of the team for the response. Chief officers will report to the Incident Command Post upon arrival.
bBIf a team member is in trouble, the other member(s) of the team shall take appropriate steps to:
B1BPROVIDE DIRECT HELP
B2BCALL FOR HELP
B3BGO GET HELP
cBMembers will stay together as teams while within the emergency incident perimeter, and as otherwise directed by the Incident Commander, until the incident termination.
DBMaintenance of helmet shields and passports.
aBCompany officers and/or team leaders shall be responsible for supervising the maintenance and proper placement of helmet shields, name tags and passports during the entire shift of duty and at emergency incidents.
bBHelmet shield and passports shall be updated at the beginning of each shift, when reporting directly to the incident, and whenever a change in personnel takes place during the shift, including all trades. ALL MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING:
B1BThe correct helmet shield on their helmet.
B2BTheir name tags on the correct primary and backup passports.
B3BSee shift change S.O.P. 130.07
cBA crew will function as a team at all times. Company Officers and Team Leaders are responsible for maintaining their team status at all times.
dBIndividuals responding to incidents normally assigned to administrative functions such as training, fire prevention, etc., must report to the Incident Command Post.
eBMaterials and supplies for the ongoing support of the PASSPORT accountability system (spare tags, Velcro, etc.) shall be maintained by the Chief of Support Services and/or designee.
CCPOLICY
ACDuring Emergency Incidents:
Incident Commanders will require the transfer and use of passports at every incident with an established staging area, division or group, or multiple alarms.
DDPROCEDURES
EMERGENCY INCIDENTS:
ADReporting to the Incident:
aDWhen a company or team reports to an Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief, Branch Director, Area Manager, Division/ Group Supervisor, or Task Force / Strike Team Leader, the company officer or team leader will transfer their primary passport(s). The Passport shall be given to the Commander, Chief, Director, Manager, Supervisor, or Leader who you are assigned to report to . Except as defined below.
D1DA backup passport(s) will remain with the Officer or Team Leader when:
DaDThey are the only unit at the incident.
DbDThey are a committed, first arriving unit(s) at an incident before the establishment of a command post or have passed command.
DcDThey are on or directed to a remote side of an emergency incident before the establishment of a division.
BDDuring Emergency Incidents:
aDIncident Commanders will require the transfer and use of passports at every incident with an established staging area, division or group, or multiple alarms.
bDWhen a person in a supervisory function (Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief, Area Manager, Division/Group, Supervisor, Strike/Task Force, or Team Leader) relieves a team, they will:
D1DConfirm with the Team Leader that all team members are accounted for;
D2DReturn the team's passport(s) to the Team Leader;
D3DDirect the Team Leader to staging or another incident function, and;
D4DAdvise the designated supervisor that "E ##” has been directed to report to that function. The receiving supervisor WILL ACKNOWLEDGE and record that information on their status board.
CDRoll call:
NOTE:Whenever possible, roll call will be conducted without the use of the radio to keep the frequency clear. I.E. other channel, fire phones, cellular, or face to face
a1Incident Commander, Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Area Managers and Team Leaders will conduct an emergency incident roll call using the PASSPORT Accountability System as follows:
11When a supervisor presumes a fire fighter or team is missing or trapped, the supervisor will notify the Incident Commander then start rescue efforts AS SOON AS POSSIBLE at the last known location. The IC will then conduct a roll call of personnel at the emergency incident to confirm the status of missing personnel.
21When an unidentified distress call has been transmitted, or a team has not responded to radio contact, the Incident Commander will conduct a roll call of personnel at the emergency incident to confirm the status of missing personnel.
Example:
Command:"Dispatch all divisions, and all Groups from Command. An un-identified distress call has been transmitted (or a team has not responded to radio contact)
Command:"All divisions and Groups from command, conduct a roll call of your units.”
Division “A”"Command from Division “A” all accounted for."
Division “C”“Command from Division “C” all accounted for.”
Roof Group“Command from Roof Group all accounted for.”
Division “B”"E85 from Division “B”, conduct a roll call."
E-85“E-85 copy.”
E-85"Division “B” from E-85, all accounted for."
Division “B”"Command from Division “B”, all accounted for."
Command“Command copy."
31When there is a change from an offensive to defensive fire ground strategy.
Example:
Command"All divisions and groups from command, we are setting up to change to a DEFENSIVE STRATEGY”. Withdraw all units from the building and conduct a roll call.”
Division “2”"Command from Division “2”, OK, withdrawing."
Roof Top"Command from Roof top, OK, withdrawing."
Division “C”"Command from Division “C”, all units accounted for and out. "
Division “2”"Command from Division “2”, all units accounted for and out of the building. "
Command"Division “2” and Division “C” from Command, I copy.”
Roof Top"Command from ventilation group, all units are off the roof and accounted for."
Command"Command copy."
41When the Incident Commander, Branch Director, Area Managers, Division/Group Supervisor or Team Leader determines that a need for a roll call exists.
51When there is a catastrophic change in the incident such as building collapse, explosions, back draft, sudden flooding, release of vapor clouds, etc..
61When 30 minutes has elapsed from the time of alarm and the incident has not been brought under control a roll call of all Areas, Groups, and Divisions shall be required. This will apply to successive 30 minute intervals until the Incident has been brought under control.
71When a “Secondary All Clear” has been announced, and the time elapsed from alarm to announcement is less than 30 minutes, a roll call should follow.
81Isolated roll call is when a Team is relieved of an assignment and transferred to a different assignment. Then the Incident Commander, Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Area Managers, or Team Leaders will confirm that the team has accounted for their personnel.
B1Materials
a1The PASSPORT accountability system utilizes permanent and removable helmet shields, primary and backup passports, name tags, and portable status boards.
b1Helmet Shields: The purpose of the helmet shield is to clearly identify the unit to which the member is assigned.
11Each member shall have a permanent helmet shield or reasonable facsimile (such as wide medical tape) for each assigned team member on duty and for each member likely to respond on that company or apparatus, and one magnetic shield.
21All temporary helmet shields are to be kept in the glove box or on top of engine cover of the apparatus when not actually on a helmet. Each company shall maintain a minimum:
111engine co.-5
121truck co.-5
131rescue co.-3
141squad and B.C.-2
31Helmet shields shall be in place on the member’s helmet BEFORE participating as an in-service team member.
41Helmet shields shall be color-coded as follows:
111(permanent)Black Background, white lettering.
121(temporary)White Background, black lettering.
C1PASSPORTS
a1The purpose of a passport is to provide accountability of team members when entering an emergency incident perimeter.
b1Passports have two sections containing the following information:
11Top portion contains Company/Assignment.
21Velcro portion holds team members’ name tags.
c1Passport color codes:
11Red - Primary, normally used by everyone at the incident.
21Green - Backup.
d1There shall be two passports (one primary and one backup) provided for each on-duty Battalion Chief, company, unit, and team.
11The Primary Passport (red) shall be attached to the Captain’s side dashboard until used as a passport for entrance into an emergency incident perimeter.
111Except when on an initial alarm assignment. Then the Primary Passport will be placed on the status board on the engineer’s side.
21The Backup Passport (green) is an exact duplicate of the primary passport and is used as follows:
111For identification of team members when the primary passport is unavailable.
121Backup passports are kept in standard locations, on the apparatus dashboard of Captain’s side or carried with company officer and used for replacing a lost primary passport.
D1NAME TAGS
a1Each uniformed member of the fire department shall maintain a minimum of (3) Velcro name tags. When a member has less than three name tags, a reorder must take place immediately.
11WHEN ASSIGNED TO A COMPANY: Two name tags are placed on the apparatus to which the member is currently assigned. These name tags are the ones that are attached to the primary and backup passports when reporting for duty.
IMPORTANT: Name tags must be attached to the passports BEFORE SIGNING ON DUTY AND BEFORE RESPONDING WITH THE APPARATUS.
b1Extra name tags are attached with Velcro to the underside of the rear brim of the member's helmet and are used for the following purposes:
11When roved to another apparatus at a different station temporarily, the member removes the name tags from the primary and backup passports of the base company apparatus and places them on the helmet brim. When reporting to the new apparatus, the member uses two name tags from under the helmet to attach to the primary and backup passports of the new apparatus.
21Multiple alarm, temporarily created teams.
31Immediate replacement of lost tags.
c1Company Officer / Team Leader name tags are the first name tag on the passports, then Engineer, Firefighter, ect..
11When a rover, offshift or volunteer member reports directly to an emergency incident, the member reports to the Incident Command Post for assignment
E1Required Materials
a1The Support Services Chief or designee shall order materials and supplies to maintain the PASSPORT Accountability System as follows:
11Two engraved passports (one red, one green) for each possible team of two or more persons from a company, command vehicle, special unit or reserve apparatus.
21One helmet shield for each member who can be expected to respond with the apparatus. Including appropriate spares.
31Replacement name tags for lost or damaged equipment.
41Two passports(s), Primary and Backup, for each apparatus.
51Velcro pads for door or dashboard and helmet brims.
61One status board for each vehicle.
b1Make Up Kits
11Make up kits for the PASSPORT Accountability System will be located in both Battalion Chief vehicles and the mobile command post. The make up kits shall contain the following materials:
111Two status boards.
121Twelve blank, green passports.
131Four feet, of 2" wide Velcro, (Loop and hook) for making name tags.
141One pair of scissors
151Two permanent markers.
161Four grease pens.
171One roll of 2” Trauma tape.
181Two sets of makeup company helmet shields.
191Twelve Backup passports.
1101One label maker.
F1Placement of Materials.
a1Support Services will direct the placement of materials for the PASSPORT Accountability System on apparatus.
APPENDIX I
DEFINITIONS:
1COMPANY OFFICER:
Officers and acting officers in charge of engine companies, ladder companies, or teams.
2.EMERGENCY INCIDENT:
Any situation in which the fire department responds to deliver emergency services including: rescue, fire suppression, medical treatment, and other forms of hazard control and mitigation.
3.EMERGENCY INCIDENT PERIMETER:
Any area where the public is not allowed access for safety reasons.
4.HELMET SHIELD:
A plastic shield that attaches to the front of the member's helmet. The helmet shield has letters and/or numbers identifying a command, company, unit, or administrative assignment.
5.INCIDENT TERMINATION:
The conclusion of fire department operations at the scene of an incident, usually the departure of the last unit from the scene.
6.NAME TAG:
A plastic, velcrobacked tag with a member's last name, and first initial; e.g. Smith J, if initial is the same then use first name.
7.PASSPORT:
A 2" x 4" velcro and plastic card that identifies and accounts for members and teams. Members attach name tags to passports, both passports are located on the dash on the Captain’s side.
A.Primary Passport: Red, preprinted, plastic passport used by the company officer for accountability purposes.
B.Backup Passport: Green, preprinted, plastic passport kept on the dashboard of the apparatus.
8.PASSPORT ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM:
A procedure that utilizes helmet shields, passports, name tags, and status boards to track the assignment of individuals at an emergency incident.
9.MAKEUP KIT:
A kit designed to expand the PASSPORT Accountability System at large incidents and provide immediate replacement for lost or damaged system materials.
10.ROLL CALL:
A poll of all teams at an emergency incident to account for all personnel at that incident.
11.STATUS BOARD:
A large hard plastic board with velcro strips upon which Incident Commander, Branch Directors, Division/Group Supervisors, Area Managers, and Team Leaders hold passports of assigned teams and take notes.
111Large ones kept in command vehicles.
121Small ones kept on units, on Engineer’s door.
12.TEAM:
A group of two or more fire fighters who work together and are responsible for each other's safety.
13.TEAM LEADER:
Usually a Company Officer or a company member assigned or selected as the Team Leader.
14.VELCRO PAD:
A permanently attached velcro pad on the apparatus door or dashboard to which passports are attached.