Emergency Radio Traffic at Public Service Events

by

Richard Bartlett, KE6LOU

Public service events are a great way to practice our radio skills and prepare us for emergencies such as a natural disaster.  Most public service event communications are routine in nature, such as relaying event management information or providing event status reports.  There are times where an emergency happens at a public service event, and that is where amateur radio proves its worthiness.  Most emergencies that occur at public service events are of a medical nature. 

There are three types of injuries or illnesses seen at public service events:

1. Minor-Not Life Threatening (tired runner, minor cuts/bruises, aching bones, etc.)

2. Moderate-Not Life Threatening (leg cramps, mild heat exhaustion, etc.)

3. Serious-Life Threatening (heat stroke, heart attack, stroke, etc.)

Minor injuries usually entail transport by a SAG (support and gear) vehicle to the event’s aid station.

Moderate injuries may require prompt transport to an aid station by a SAG vehicle, or ambulance transport to an aid station or to a hospital.  The severity and circumstances for each particular situation will determine the needed course of action.

Serious injuries are life threatening and require immediate response of an ambulance, and usually transport to a hospital.

The first…and most important point to remember is to stay calm (Sometimes easier said than done!) then speak clearly and slowly.  Net Control has to write down the information you are transmitting.  Having to repeat information delays emergency response.

To report an injured participant, contact Net Control by one of the following:

1.  For minor injuries, call Net Control by saying your tactical or FCC call sign.  When Net Control answers, transmit your information.

2.  For moderate injuries, call Net Control by saying the pro sign “Break”.  This will alert Net Control that you have an urgent situation.  The pro sign “Break” indicates to all operators on the net that there is an emergency, and to only enter the net with urgent or emergency traffic.  When Net Control answers, transmit your information.

3.  For serious injuries, call Net Control by saying the pro sign “Break, Break”.  This will alert Net Control that you have an emergency.  The pro sign “Break, Break” indicates to all operators on the net that there is an emergency, and to only enter the net with emergency traffic.  When Net Control answers, transmit your information.

Once the urgent or emergency traffic is passed, Net Control will either return the net to routine traffic, or restrict the net to urgent and/or emergency traffic until the emergency has passed.  In some cases, Net Control may move the emergency onto an alternate frequency so that routine traffic can continue.

When calling in an emergency, the key information needed is:

1.  Nature of Injury or Illness

2.  Location

3.  Participant Number

4.  Resources Needed

When reporting an injury, do not make any diagnosis.  Only report what you can see or know.  You can use words such as “possible” or “appears to” to make a description.  Examples might include “possible heat related illness” or “appears to have leg cramps”.  Reporting what you know might include “Participant 127 is unconscious” or “we can not feel a pulse”.  You can also relay what the participant is telling you such as “Participant 118 is complaining of chest pains” or “Participant 499 says he is diabetic and is feeling weak”. 

Accurate location reports are critical.  Always know your location.  Provide as clear of a location as possible.  If working in an urban area, you should be able to give the intersection,  address, or water station number that you are at.  If you are working an event that is in a rural area, give the best directions possible and perhaps tell any landmarks that you are near.  For example, “I am halfway between Water Stations 2 & 3, near the Miller Ranch entrance”.

Never give an injured participant’s name over the air. Report the event’s participant number.  This information is important for both tracking of the emergency and for the event to notify the injured participant’s emergency contact.

Advise the resources needed for the emergency.  Since you are on-scene, you may the best judge of what the situation is, and what resources are needed.  A tired participant, or someone with mild leg cramps may only need SAG vehicle transport.  Another may need on-scene medical care and ambulance transport.  If you are not sure about the situation, err to the side of caution.  It is better to send a medical team or ambulance that might not be needed, than delay needed medical care.

Working as a team, we can professionally and efficiently communicate emergency information.  This information enables the event medical staff to provide quality care and for the event officials to manage each emergency .  Your role as an event communicator is essential to make this happen.

Thank you for your continued participation in amateur radio public service events!