Communications Conditions (ComCon)

Long ago when I was an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force, I was introduced to various techniques or checklist methods which documented almost everything we did. From alert status to accident response, every action was scripted. They all had cryptic short names. I adapted that concept to the following section about Communication Conditions or ComCon. Having a well thought out and practiced script to follow when things go bad is very much worth the effort to create.

Creating a protocol for dealing with a communications emergency has two immediate benefits. The first is that the process of creation a plan encourages you to think about the situation and the probable things you can do to mitigate the threat. If a disaster happens, you may not follow the plan you have devised, however you will be better prepared than if you had done nothing.

Secondly creating a plan means that during a disaster you can focus your energies on more important things. So here is my take on a generalized Communication Plan (ComPlan). So lets have a look at my interpretation of the trigger points for action or ComCon's.

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 likelyhood 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 Event Likely. Life as we normally live it.

ComCon 4: Event Probable. First indication of potential situation.

ComCon 3: Stand By: High probability of situation in near future.

ComCon 2: Imminent: Not IF, but WHEN?

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.

NEXT: ComCon 5: No Event Likely.

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