“Bingo!” Bill Manning`s “The Accountability System” says what has needed to be said. You can`t “PR” around safety. I have been a fire chief for 26 years. Frankly, I am having trouble understanding how the new accountability systems can save firefighters` lives. I thought I had missed something.
I have looked at manufactured accountability systems. I have even started to implement several including those of my own design. In doing this, I keep coming back to putting my confidence in the company officers and giving them the responsibility to watch over the safety of those they command. The “incident command” watches the companies. To do otherwise takes resources that could be more useful with no gain in safety.
I suppose I will implement a “Dog Tag System” so as not to confuse mutual-aid departments now that I know there is at least one other person in this world who doesn`t believe in following the Pied Piper.
Jack R. Gross
Chief
Wayne Township Fire Department
Waynesville, Ohio
