How would your organization cope if your primary communications system failed?
Won't happen?
The Washington, D.C. Police, Fire and EMS (EMS operated by Fire) radio system failed for several hours this week. While officials in the US Capitol attempted to tell the media that it was basically business as usual, we know the chaos that this would cause.
Fire fighters operating at a structure fire suddenly without radio communications...
Police officers doing a traffic stop having to call for assistance by making a cell phone call... and hoping the line isn't busy.
Paramedics enroute to a hospital attempting to provide an update to ER staff.
How would your organization react? What are your back up plans? Is everyone familiar with them? How quickly could they be implemented? Do you practice using your back up systems? What resources would you need?
Here is the story in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/29/AR2010032904028.html?referrer=emailarticle
Won't happen?
The Washington, D.C. Police, Fire and EMS (EMS operated by Fire) radio system failed for several hours this week. While officials in the US Capitol attempted to tell the media that it was basically business as usual, we know the chaos that this would cause.
Fire fighters operating at a structure fire suddenly without radio communications...
Police officers doing a traffic stop having to call for assistance by making a cell phone call... and hoping the line isn't busy.
Paramedics enroute to a hospital attempting to provide an update to ER staff.
How would your organization react? What are your back up plans? Is everyone familiar with them? How quickly could they be implemented? Do you practice using your back up systems? What resources would you need?
Here is the story in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/29/AR2010032904028.html?referrer=emailarticle
