Communications Conditions (ComCon):
This method of structured response for reacting to
a communications emergency provides;
- Orderly “ramp up” of involvement. Provides “trigger points” or situational awareness indications that you have previously defined as significant to your communications situation. Knowing in advance, what to watch for means you are less likely to be “blind sided” by an approaching event.
- Reduction in the likely-hood of overlooking important but seemingly trivial items.In the confusion of a disaster it is very easy to overlook steps. Having a predefined plan assures your being reminded of each step and relieves you of the burden of trying to remember complicated activities when your focus is elsewhere.
- Stress reduction by providing an action plan that has been carefully designed.Because you plan will have been well though out, and revised until it works well for you, implementation becomes a matter of following a script. Few decisions are necessary which reduces the chance of error and reduces stress.
- Each member of the group will know what to do & when. The adoption of a plan gives everyone a definite course of action which is predictable by the remainder of the group. You know where to expect communications.
There are 5 communications conditions.
ComCon 5: No Threat Likely.
ComCon 4: Threat Probable First indication of
potential situation.
ComCon 3: Stand By: High probability of Threat in near future.
ComCon 2: Threat Imminent.
ComCon 1: Activate.
Each has a trigger condition, a set of
circumstances that indicates the situation has changed, and an action
plan which describes, in detail, what must be done at that time.
We won't be considering trigger conditions until later. We need to cover a lot more first.
That is the quick list. Next we will go over each one in detail. It may sound very structured and rigid, but believe me, when you have other, much more serious things to consider, you will appreciate a structured and well planned list to assure you are not over looking something important.
