The present invention relates to monitoring and alert systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides transportable and vehicle interchangeable monitoring and alert systems (e.g., comprising a receiver and one or a plurality of tags (e.g., for alerting an emergency medical services (EMS) responder (e.g., emergency medical technician (EMT), firefighter, or other type of responder) that an article has been left behind at a response scene)) and methods of using the same.