New Identifications Help Track Emergency Responders

(TNS) - A new statewide identification system should provide a more efficient way to track who responds to emergencies and ensure that everyone leaves safely.

Brown County, S.D., Emergency Management Director Scott Meints said there has always been a method to track responders. He recalls many incidents where he's written down the names of helpers in all types of weather conditions.

Now, new identification tags used locally and statewide should aid in tracking by simply scanning ID badges and using key ring tags to organize where responders should go. For now, they're being used to track who attends training sessions.

In an emergency situation, he said, as responders leave the scene, their key ring tags will be returned, so everybody is accounted for at day's end.

Meints said Brown County has spent the past year printing new identification cards for all emergency responders. The equipment was purchased by the state and distributed to each of the counties.

A printer used to quickly issue tags to volunteers who help with emergencies was bought by Brown County. In September 2014, Meints asked commissioners for approval to purchase it for roughly $15,000. That covered the cost of software and the rapid tagging system.

"We want to make sure we have accountability for our responders. That is our utmost safety tool," Meints said.

Statewide, 40 rapid tagging systems and 12 stationary printers have been procured, said Laurie Morrison, credentialing program coordinator for the state's Office of Emergency Management.

Morrison said that to date, 7,800 first responders, 1,440 organizations and 6,790 pieces of equipment have been registered in the system. In Brown County, Meints said, he's added 600 people, 400 of who are first responders.

Morrison said the number of first responders in the system increases daily, but she isn't able to quantify what percentage of the state's total number are registered.

South Dakota isn't unique in using the system. Morrison said 15 neighboring states also use it.

"If something happens in Nebraska, Yankton County can go, (and Nebraska officials) can scan them in, know who they are, where they're from and what qualifications they have," she said.

The new system tracks personnel and the time spent at a particular emergency. It also has the ability to access a database of available equipment. If there's an emergency that requires a snowmobile or a boat, Meints said, he can quickly log in and determine where the nearest one is.