Interpersonal Communications in the Emergency Service Essay Example

on the scene. Situation updates and information on an emergency scene are usually given through two way radio systems. This radio system allows responders from multiple agencies to communicate. This is the second lifeline and vital link throughout any scene. Without the situation updates, responders can very easily walk into what is usually a routine call and be killed by an active shooter or an irate subject.

Incident Command is another communication issue in emergency situations. Incident command starts the minute a responder arrives on scene and lasts throughout the entire incident. It is a system that is designed to expand and contract as the scene progresses. Accountability is one of the vital components of incident command and involves tracking of personnel on scene (AIMS). Accountability is a type of communication that is defined by the incident commander and their team. Officers and agencies must know where the responders are at all times. Officers are normally your incident commanders, they are the ones that ensure scene safety and communications on the scene. They make account of everyone on the fire scene" (Smith, James)". Regardless of task or position, every responder must be accounted for. Without accountability, it becomes difficult to track personnel on scene and leads to free lancing. Responders are taught from the start of their career that free lancing will get them killed. In any emergency situation, communication is needed. Some situations can go wrong, and for example a fire truck was dispatched to the wrong address.

The Begs Fire Department was dispatched out for a residential structure fire. Because of false information given to fire fighters from dispatch, fire fighters did not

arrive on scene until 45 minutes after the tones dropped. This is a good example of a real life emergency situation that went wrong. Miscommunication between the caller and the dispatcher lead to the delay of the fire department. In emergency situations time is crucial, you never have enough time in the line of an emergency. In emergency situations miscommunication is very dangerous, it's someone's life at risk.

Not only the people involved but the ones the dispatchers send for the emergency situations. Little things like a location and the name of a person really make a difference in a situation like that (Fire Truck Dispatched to Wrong Location for House Fire). Overall the communication has worsened over the years. Just like on September 1 lath, 2001. People were calling nonstop about situations going on in the towers. Since that day communication has changed but you will always have communication errors and miscommunication will be around forever.

These issues need to be minimized as much as possible in emergency situations. Communication in the emergency service is critical, it helps responders understand what is going on and what resources will be needed for the emergency. "With technology being the source for communication, you do have difficulties. Systems will go down and when that happens people can't contact anyone to know if a small situation has turned for the worst. Today's society has rosined because of technology miscommunication happens".