I don't believe there was ever the intent to have ONE national database to hold all credentials for every responder.

What the National Integration Center (NIC) at DHS-FEMA is in the process of doing is developing position descriptions for responders.
This is a list of positions, by skill specialties, and their training/certification/qualification requirements.  This is a work in progress.  http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/rm/guide_rm.shtm and http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/rm/job_titles.shtm from more info on this.

What this means is that there will be standard training for the majority of responders.  The info on these cards will then identify which of these positions an individual is "qualified" to perform, and it could be multiple.  They will also contain important personal information, medical conditions, prescriptions, emergency contact info, etc. 
Also, these cards are called FRAC (First Responder Authentication Cards) and are standardized so that they can be read by standard reads and the data placed into incident or organization databases.

You read more about these smart cards here: http://www.smartcardalliance.org/newsletter/may_2006/letter_0506.html or do a Google search for smart cards or FRAC cards.

Chris, NG3F

--- In NRCEV@yahoogroups.com, DESloan@... wrote:
>
> I thought that the ID card would link to a national database where skills
> would be recorded. Has this idea now been shelved? I don't think that you will
> get all volunteer fire man trained to the same level. Or even trained to 2 or
> 3 skill sets. You will always have someone who has additional training in
> certain areas. Maybe they are trained as a scuba diver, trained in running
> certain construction equipment, trained in hazmat, trained in high angle rescue,
> etc.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
>
>
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