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Location: Standards and Regulatory References
Discussion: Regulate or not?
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Raptor_Creator |
Regulate or not?
Sep 25 2008, 3:14 PM EDT
Just take a look at all of the standards and regulatory references on the links page. The shear volume is enough to confuse a seasoned politician or lawyer, and perhaps that is the problem. Should the government, specifically the bureaucratic behemoth that is DHS dictate what defines a credentialing system / accountability system / resource management system. Do we really have interoperability issues in the fire service or in EMS or law enforcement? Let’s pick on the fire service as that particular group is near and dear to me being a former bucket head / rescue geek myself. In my neck of the woods the ten alarm card has worked just fine for more years than I have been alive. Countless times I have heard the argument from officers and firefighters alike that we personally know everyone who is likely to show up at our fireground and even if we do not know the individuals we trust the chief who is sending us the help. Why do we need an electronic credential to tell us about the person showing up at the scene? On the flip side you can argue that our traditional job has changed over the years. The fire service is deeper in to special operations like HAZMAT, US&R and EMS than ever before. We also live in an era where strike teams are not just part of major wildfire plans any longer, where disaster aid can come from across the country. I am not just talking about the high profile events, like WTC or Katrina either. Shouldn’t we be taking advantage of the “small world” concept? How about some of the normal non disaster issues. A trusted credential can be used to insure reciprocity between agencies across the country, right? An electronic credential can carry a medical record and information that could save the life of a brother who has gone down on scene, can’t it? How about supporting REHAB operations on the fire ground; is it not a benefit to have your base line vitals on your accountability tag? Well? Do you find this valuable?
Keyword tags:
accountability
credentialing
fire ground
scene control
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Raptor_Creator |
1. RE: Regulate or not? A few more points
Sep 25 2008, 3:19 PM EDT
So if there is a positive argument for a credential how much technology is too much technology? Let’s face it, it took us generations to move from brass rings to plastic tags. It seems to me that it is time to get away from white boards and the two tag system and move to something less prone to human error that can provide information beyond the fact that a firefighter is on the scene to maybe how long has be been on air, or in the structure. So assuming that interoperable electronic credentials are the answer than how do we insure interoperability? Is this the job of DHS, why not NFPA or IFSAC or Pro-Board? After all we are talking about standards that impact firefighters and content that includes certifications. What about all the vendors pushing these systems, should they all be held to the same standard, and how are they graded or held accountable? Care to comment? Do you find this valuable? |
