HomeMy WebLinkAbout203.003 - Personnel Accountability SystemEffective Date: October 2007 Kirk Wanless, Battalion Chief
Current Revision Date: 09/24/2025 Section 203.003
Next Revision (2) Date: 09/24/2029 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
200 Standard Operating Procedures Manual
SECTION 203.003 PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
PURPOSE
To establish a procedure to assist in accountability of members working at emergency
incidents.
APPLICATION
The Fresno Fire Department's (FFD or Department) Personnel Accountability System is
used to ensure accountability and provide quick identification of individuals and companies
during emergency incidents.
The personnel accountability system utilizes a variety of accountability aides to assist in
providing accurate member accountability at emergency scenes. The system allows ICS
supervisors tasked with member accountability to use tactical worksheets, ICS forms,
staffing software, and incident management software to quickly and accurately establish
the location, unit and number of personnel working under their command.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
The personnel accountability system shall be used at all incidents. All members shall
actively participate in the personnel accountability system.
The Incident Commander shall maintain an awareness of the location and function of
all companies or crews at the scene of an incident.
Officers assigned the responsibility for a specific tactical level management
component at an incident shall directly supervise and account for the companies
and/or crews operating in their specific area of responsibility.
Company officers shall maintain an ongoing awareness of the location and condition
of all members.
Where assigned as a company/crew/unit, members shall be responsible to remain
under the supervision of their assigned supervisor.
Effective Date: October 2007 Kirk Wanless, Battalion Chief
Current Revision Date: 09/24/2025 Section 203.003
Next Revision (2) Date: 09/24/2029 Page 2 of 3
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
The use of accountability aides should not delay initial emergency operations.
Additional personnel should be assigned to the incident to assist in personnel
accountability based on the size, complexity, or needs of the incident.
Members who arrive at the scene of an incident by means other than emergency
response vehicles should report to the Incident Commander or their designee.
PROCESS
Each member is to ensure all Department provided personnel accountability aides are
in place and ready for use prior to responding to calls.
Supervisors are responsible for the accuracy and use of accountability aides by
members under their supervision. These aides include, but are not limited to, the use
of:
• Unit identifiers
• SCBA identifiers
• Tactical worksheets/ICS forms
• Staffing software
• Incident management software
The following steps are taken at the beginning of each shift or any time there is a
change in crew members:
1. Ensure appropriate unit identifiers are in place.
2. Company officers or crew supervisors are to carry an additional
unit identifier under the rear brim of their helmet.
3. Ensure appropriate self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
unit identifiers are in place on the rear tension strap of SCBA.
When initiated by tactical supervisors, unit identifiers are utilized in the following
manner:
1. When divisions and/or groups are established at an incident,
division/group supervisors can collect the additional unit
identifier from the company officer or crew supervisor. If there is
no additional identifier available, one of the two primary unit
identifiers can be used.
Effective Date: October 2007 Kirk Wanless, Battalion Chief
Current Revision Date: 09/24/2025 Section 203.003
Next Revision (2) Date: 09/24/2029 Page 3 of 3
2. When units are released from divisions and/or groups, their unit
identifier panel is returned and the unit is directed to a new
assignment. The supervisor releasing the unit confirms all
members are accounted for and informs the unit’s new
supervisor that the company is enroute to their location.
3. When a crew is split, either due to its members being re-assigned
to work for another company or designated to operate a
secondary apparatus housed at the station (e.g. WT),
supervisors are updated accordingly. All members are to be
briefed on who they are expected to report to and who is
reporting to them.
INFORMATION
While the Personnel Accountability System cannot protect against poor tactics,
strategy, judgment, or violation of rules or good practice, it can be used to complement
the ICS and as a tool to help meet emergency scene accountability recommendations
provided for in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1500 and 1561.
DEFINITIONS
See Glossary.
CROSS-REFERENCES
Fresno Operational Area Guidelines
Firefighter Emergency Standard Operating Guideline, Rapid Intervention
Standard Operating Guideline
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1500 (Chapter 25) & 1561
FIRESCOPE ICS-910 & ICS-420-1
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910 &1926