A method for automatically calibrating and deploying a tracking system of the type used by emergency responders (10) at the scene of a chaotic event such as a fire or the like. Each firefighter (10) is issued a wireless tag (26) having a unique identification number. Personal details about the firefighter (10) are prerecorded in a central database (44). Every piece of equipment (12, 14, 16) is also issued a wireless tag (26), with details about that piece of equipment prerecorded in the central database (44). At the scene of an emergency, drop readers (30, 30') are scattered about the area. The drop readers (30, 30') sense the location and ID number of each wireless tag (26). The drop readers (30, 30') communicate with the central database (44) via a wireless connection (46). A scene commander (18) interfaces with the central database (44) through a graphic user interface (48) to acquire real time information about the location and movement of all personnel and equipment at the response scene. The reported data may be superimposed over a map of the scene, and exported in the form of reports (52).