Abstract: An accountability system for keeping track of firefighters at a fire scene. The system includes an identification card containing specific personal information represented by a bar code. A bar code reader is adapted to read the bar code and to communicate the data from the bar code to a computer. A data entry device is connected to the computer and is adapted to allow entry of additional data by a user. The computer is in communication with the bar code reader and data entry device and is programmed to process data received from the bar code reader and data entry device and provide a number of predetermined outputs, a display, and an alarm adapted to provide an alert to the Accountability Officer corresponding to a predetermined output. In the preferred embodiment, the computer is programmed to calculate the elapsed time after the bar code reader reads the identification card, and to trigger an alarm when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined maximum safe breathing time.