Accountability

Firefighters across the world agree, that maintaining accountability (knowing where everyone is) is an essential part of keeping firefighters safe on the fire-ground. Ireland uses some simple technology to accomplish this.

Accountability board on back door of engine.

Every firefighter’s air-pack comes with a tag, which states who’s it is, and how much air they start with. The tag is sheathed in the air-pack’s PASS (Personal Alert Safety System), and when the tag is removed it activates. The PASS monitors the firefighter’s movement so if they become trapped or stop moving, it emits an audible call for help.

PASS device with tag.

Before firefighters enters a building, they slide their tags into the slots on the left hand side of the accountability board. The firefighter running the board, usually the driver, can record entry time and other notes with a dry-erase maker. The dial in the up right corner of the board is a slide-ruler of sorts, used to calculate how long it will that a firefighter to use up their air. 

The beginning of a fire operation is a busy time for the engine driver, who, has to get the pump engaged and water flowing to attack teams. To lighten the driver’s load, the accountability board has rapid entry slots for the first attack teams tags. When a tag is placed into one of these slots, it automatically starts a timer, so once the driver the pump running and gets to the board, they know how long the attack team has been inside.

Tag in an rapid entry slot.