What personnel can initiate a PAR?

A Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) is a crucial aspect of fireground safety, allowing incident commanders to assess the status and safety of all personnel on the scene. The correct answer highlights that the incident commander or safety officer are the designated personnel who can initiate a PAR.

The incident commander is responsible for overseeing the incident and ensuring operational safety. When they perceive a potential issue such as an extended operation, lack of radio communication, or other signs of distress, they can call for a PAR to verify the status of firefighters on scene. The safety officer, tasked with monitoring safety conditions, also has the authority to call for a PAR if they notice unsafe practices or if the scenario changes in a way that compromises safety.

In contrast, other personnel listed may have vital roles in incident management but do not hold the specific authority to initiate a PAR. For example, while the engine officer plays a critical role in managing their crew's operations, the responsibility of initiating a PAR lies primarily with the incident commander and safety officer, given their broader oversight and responsibility for team safety.