Todays Dog Tags

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Most people do not realize that many firefighters wear dog tags. When firefighters go out to fight a big blaze, it is important to know which members of the department are on the scene. This is crucial during emergencies when evacuations are necessary or in the event of a building collapse. It is usually known what particular fire departments are on the scene of a fire, but it is not always known which individual members are actually at the scene.

Firefighters are proud of their occupation and wearing dog tags (or I.D. tags) is a way of displaying to the public that they are firefighters. After all, they should be proud of the service they are performing for the public.

Firefighters are generally given two dog tags. When their shift begins, the officer is given one tag, and the other is put on a brass ring, similar to a key ring. The information on the tag shows the company’s designation along with the firefighter’s name. At the scene of the incident the main ring is given to the commander, and the tag is then affixed to a command board or left in a designated place on the fire truck or other fire equipment.

When a firefighter is called to the scene of a large scale fire, his second tag is often used by a sector officer. This provides the sector officer a means of accountability for the personnel in his section.

The firefighter’s dog tags normally contains about five lines of text with approximately 15 characters per line, along with two split rings and a snap ring. The tags are simple, durable and inexpensive, but certainly very crucial in times of need.

Volunteer firemen usually wear dog tags as well. Volunteer firemen don’t always know where they will be when they are called to a fire. So for the sake of convenience and availability, the volunteers’ tags are normally on a chain.

They are even available in electronic form today. The electronic dog tags are equipped with a device which stores information that can easily be changed when necessary. This is a great feature for people who move around a lot, which alleviates the necessity of having to obtain a new tag each time you move. The tags can be purchased in a size comparable to that of standard dog tags.

If you have pertinent information, other than the dog’s name, your name, address and phone number, you can store that information (and change it when necessary) as well. You can store the names of friends who can contact you or retrieve your dog if you are unable to do so. You can also store the name, address and phone number of your veterinarian. Additional information such as the age of the dog or any physical ailments or medical needs can be displayed.

A PIN may be added to alleviate any accidental changes to the text. You can add any pertinent information to the tag that you feel is necessary.

The display is simple to read and can be read while attached to the dog’s collar without being removed. There will be a button to push which lights up and exhibits the vital information. Like other electronic devices (cell phones, etc) the information can be scrolled up or down and stopped. Most lenses are resistant to scratches, weather and a certain amount of water. The tag will also withstand your pet’s vigorous activities.

As in a cell phone, the tags can be displayed in other languages such as English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

The tag normally uses a battery that will most likely last a year or more.