What are Command, Control and Communications?
These are the “3 Cs of emergency preparedness” If we have someone in command that can project control of the emergency and can communicate needs and orders—and do so simultaneously—then we are on our way to a successful response. If we don’t have the 3 Cs, we are assured of a defeat in our response. Does your plan have one, overall leader who is given decision-making authority? Do you have backups to account for travel, vacations and illness? Do you have a chain of command below the leader to extend the leader’s control? Do your supervisors have 2-way radios to move people out? Report the injured? Conduct a headcount? The first system to go in an emergency is electrical power (bringing down your phone system and PA). Next are the cell and push-to-talk systems which will either be damaged or overwhelmed. All three of these systems will go in the first 60 seconds. How will you communicate? 2-way radios can’t be compromised. If you can’t communicate, you can’t respond.
