Project Overview and Goals

The most recent natural disasters affecting Fort Collins highlighted the need to alleviate some of the confusion during the events, both at the EOC and in the field. Some of the problems we encountered involved the difficulty of identifying those legitimately involved in the event. Also, we felt the need to identify our staff working in the field (i.e., an OEM photographer working in a disaster area) to members of the public, and to law enforcement officers charged with scene security.

The fact that several different City departments are involved at various times during disasters makes it difficult to readily identify our own personnel. Likewise, there is currently no way for others to quickly identify members of the OEM staff during such incidents. Add to the mix the wanderings of members of the media and curious citizens, and you can imagine how this adds to the chaos in the EOC.

Our solution to this problem is the use of laminated identification cards equipped with clips, so that during an incident the cards can be worn conspicuously by those involved. We will use a similar method to identify members of the media who visit the EOC during an event.

Design Specifications

Above are examples of the identification card used by our OEM personnel, as well as the Media Event Pass being developed. The cards are designed to be color coded so that personnel from various agencies and the media can be readily identified from a distance. For example, OEM personnel have ID cards with a pale blue "OEM" printed in large repeating letters on the card background. The Media Pass is identifiable by the golden "MEDIA PASS" background and the large red sequential number on the card. Other City departments will have their own distinctive design. A collateral development is a numbered OEM Vehicle ID Card, which will be visibly placed on otherwise unmarked vehicles being used by authorized personnel during an event.

The OEM ID cards are issued to authorized personnel by the OEM Director and are valid until revoked. The Media Event Passes are issued at the EOC after bonafide members of the media sign-in. They must wear their Event Pass at all times while they are visiting the EOC, and return them when they sign-out. Each Media Event Pass is numbered, and therefore not transferable to another media representative without going through the sign-in process at the EOC.

The intent of the sign-in/sign-out process is to:

• identify those with legitimate business in the EOC
• control access to the EOC, or other areas during an event
• assist in media coordination
• create a record of City personnel working at the EOC
• assure command continuity during extended EOC operation
• physically track and control Event Passes issued by the OEM

Everyone entering the EOC will be required to sign-in/sign-out, including City personnel, guests, and VIPs. This will help us keep track of who is present, and hopefully reduce crowding and confusion at the EOC.

We are in the process of developing additional styles of cards to identify members of the various other city departments working during an event, and a Visitor's Pass for VIPs or other visitors to the EOC. We are also working on a sample ID card sheet which will be given to local law enforcement agencies so they will be aware that the cards are being used, and familiar with the appearance of the various "official" cards in use.

Partnerships

Blue Knight Graphics
Card Design & Production

Iola M. Fleischer
OEM Associate Director
June 1999

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