What should be avoided when conducting a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)?

When conducting a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR), it is essential to be thorough and accurate in confirming the status of all personnel on the scene. Assuming that everyone is safe and accounted for without conducting a complete verification undermines the purpose of a PAR. Each individual should be explicitly accounted for to ensure that no one is left behind or unreported, which is critical for maintaining safety and coordinating rescue efforts if needed.

The goal of a PAR is to gain an accurate understanding of the situation regarding firefighters' locations and conditions, which fosters safety and effective response coordination. Engaging in assumptions can lead to grave consequences, such as neglecting to search for a trapped firefighter or failing to recognize that an individual needs assistance. Therefore, conducting a comprehensive accountability check is paramount, rather than relying on assumptions about safety or presence on the scene.