51. “If phones are working, the number of requests for service
will be overwhelming. People will have to fend for themselves; it will be
difficult for dispatchers to ignore these pleas for help.”
COMMENT: This underscores the need for “prioritizing” traffic (and
requests for assistance). An e-mail I sent recently took eight days to
arrive at its destination. Where it was lost in cyberspace is anybody’s
guess! Of course “prioritizing” wouldn’t have helped a bit in that case.
Most of us are spoiled with our (usually) efficient modern means of
communication. It may be difficult for the general public (and even served
agencies) to accept the fact that when normal communications break down, or are
overloaded, (as in emergency or disaster situations); it may take hours, days,
or even weeks for a message to be delivered. It is essential that EMCOMM
operators be trained and disciplined in the art of handling prioritized
RADIOGRAMS as well as tactical traffic.
Of course... everyone believes that “their” message is an “emergency”,
or at least priority.
During crisis situations, traffic probably will be slow, and may be delayed, while actual EMERGENCY or priority traffic is passed. EMCOMM personnel may have to do a little on scene educating...be prepared.