What are the two methods an incident commander can use to conduct a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)?

The two methods an incident commander can use to conduct a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) are face-to-face interactions or radio communications. These methods are effective because they allow for immediate verification of the status of all personnel involved in an incident.

Face-to-face interactions facilitate direct communication and foster a quicker response, allowing for immediate assessments and adjustments in personnel deployment if necessary. This method is particularly useful in chaotic environments where situational awareness is critical.

Similarly, radio communications provide a reliable means to quickly gather information from multiple resources without the need for physical presence, which is essential in larger incidents. It allows the incident commander to maintain oversight while ensuring that all personnel can report their status efficiently, even if they are not in close proximity.

In contrast, methods such as written reports or text messages lack the immediacy required for timely accountability checks. They may not provide real-time information and can lead to delays in communication, which is critical during dynamic incident responses.