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Universal Firefighter ID Card
One of my professors at school, a very experienced and knowledgable Haz-Mat guy, made mention during one of our classes of some one considering to introduce the idea of a universal firefighter's ID card. The idea is that the card would be issued to firefighters and specifically list all of that individual's accredited training and certifications like Haz-Mat cert, FFI or FFII cert, Rescue cert, etc. I'm not exactly sure what the prupose would be aside from maybe pulling up on scene of say, an accident and rendering aid... just to protect one's self.
What's your opinion? Any thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by ashfire on
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I would think that since firefighters have to be state and national certified with their training levels I guess a National Firefighter card wouldn't be a bad idea. Some states push for EMTs and Paramedics to be national certified.
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Permalink Reply by Forsaken Firefighter on
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Around here Dist. 3 already has them.... They got them threw the emergency mangers office. I think it a good idea to have the training on them.
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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A national ID card? I am more of a State's rights guy myself. Since different states recognize different curriculum, I would think this would be a big can of worms. I also think a national ID card would lend itself more to counterfeiting since these things tend to not be nationally monitored. Every accredited program should have a paper trail to back it up. These certificates and licenses and such need to be kept on hand at the department anyway, the inclusion of a card would not make this need disappear. I do not see the advantage of having one, other then to line the pockets of the agency that produces it.
If a department would accept help from a guy passing by any type of incident and he just presented his card and went to work, then the insurance companies should be thinking about dropping the department. Just imagine a Haz-Mat Tech taking over drilling a fuel truck even though he may specialize in caustics. We have one county wide, but I would never let a guy with a card to just show up and help.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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I agree with Matthew.
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Permalink Reply by CHIEF 802 on
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I also agree. I can see guys printing their own cards and freelancing up and down the highway. What about expired training?
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Permalink Reply by John Karl Ambrusch, III on
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Well, when talking about IFSAC and Pro-Board, aren't we in essence? I just want some other opinions. It's interesting to see where some other people stand in the issue.
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I'll agree with you Chief. Freelancers are a bit of a problem. I hope that the scope of things stretches only to the point of say, pulling over for an accident if you're right there as it happens or providing a quick report to a dispatch center after pulling up on a fire. Of course, "duty to act" does not really apply in such a situation as one would only be assisting in the capacity of a good samaritan until the proper equipment arrives. I myself have in fact done such on one or two occasions. However, I do understand and respect the authority of those who are dispatched to respond. I do what I can and I back off. There lies the insurance issues as well.
Besides, I can't imagine how much money it would cost to have a card like that reissued every time another certification needs to be added... keeping in mind the actual difference between a "certification" and "training".
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John, I think National certifications are great. To have a certain set of standards is a reasonable expectation across state lines. The problem with standards is that they are never standard. Some departments may require IFSAC while other may require Pro-Board, others may accept either. Without getting into who is better, I believe we should reserve the right of individual departments to decide the best route for themselves.
My issue with the card is not about who can certify, it is with how a card is used. Maybe I am just thinking inside the box, but I do not see the need for a card other then rapid determination of qualifying skills at the road side. It is just my opinion, but if an IC does not know where to get the needed resources for a particular incident, or thinks someone just driving by will be able to mitigate the situation, then the problem that a card would address is a greater problem that should be addressed at the root and not patched together with an ID system.
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Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
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I agree with Jason.
I would like to add, that maybe FF so-n-so has many certs typed out on his card. That's nice, but the card still doesn't mention that FF so-n-so is a negligent, one person superego super hero. The card don't say anything about the person. Or even worse, he hasn't kept up on his training and can't remember a damn thing.
I guess I basically said the same thing as Matthew, just used different words.
KSHF
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Stoddard on
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Our ID's are like that. They are worn on clips on our helmets. It allows someone(such as IC) to know other people's training. For example they won't go to someone who they notice isn't hazmat certified and ask them to anything hazmat related.
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