Reporting Emergencies
If you hear an “Emergency” call during your conversation with another station, stop transmitting, acknowledge the station calling the emergency and let them have the frequency immediately!
Listen to them carefully and write down the details of their emergency. If someone else has already responded, let them take over. Do not break into the conversations UNLESS there is a need for a relay.
Try to capture the location of the emergency, the nature of the emergency, the number of persons impacted, and any hazards to responding personnel.
The quickest way to access emergency services in our area is to dial 9-1-1. The Public Safety Answering Point will capture your location. Identify yourself as an amateur radio operator and state plainly that you are in radio contact with another person reporting an emergency at a different location.
Provide the telecommunicator with the information passed on by the other operator, as well as your contact information in case further details are required. Do not drop the call with 9-1-1 until the telecommunicator tells you they are finished.
If you are reporting an emergency via radio where you are present, use the international standard “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” or universally understood “EMERGENCY EMERGENCY EMERGENCY” to announce traffic of life-or-death importance.
If the repeater is in use, wait for a pause in the conversation and simply say “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” or “EMERGENCY EMERGENCY EMERGENCY”, and wait for one of the other stations to acknowledge your call. If for some reason you are not heard, then repeat the call again. If you are still not heard, try another nearby repeater if one is available.
When you do make contact, state your call sign and give as many details as possible. Don’t panic, speak slowly and clearly so the details will be understood by the other radio operator. Always give details, including location of the emergency, the nature of the emergency, the number of persons impacted, and any hazards to responding personnel.
Example of details needed reporting an emergency:
“I am reporting a motor vehicle accident on Notch Road in the Mount Greylock Reservation, about one mile down from the peak. Three vehicles are involved. There are at least four persons injured. Gasoline is leaking from one vehicle.”