The "Passport" system is an on-scene resource-tracking system that is in common use in fire departments across the country. The system includes three Velcro-backed name tags and a special helmet shield for each employee. When the employee reports for work, he or she places the name tags on three "passports." The primary passport is carried on the driver's-side door of the apparatus to which the employee is assigned. The secondary passport is carried on the passenger-side door, and the third is left at the fire station.

Upon arrival at an incident, the apparatus officer gives the primary passport to the Incident Commander, or the Division/Group Supervisor to which the resource is being assigned. The Incident Commander or Division/Group Supervisor will keep the passport until the resource is released from his or her supervision, when it will be returned to the company officer. The secondary passport may either remain with the apparatus, or be collected by the Resources Unit to aid overall incident resource tracking. The third passport serves as a backup mechanism documenting what personnel are on the apparatus that shift.

The helmet shield is placed on the employee's helmet upon receiving an incident assignment. The shield provides an easy visual indication of resource status and helps control freelancing.