In a major incident, when many calls come into the PSAP about the same incident, is it correct to regard subsequent calls as redundant and disregard them?

In a major incident, when many calls come into the PSAP about the same incident, is it correct to regard subsequent calls as redundant and disregard them?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends
• D. Not sure

Answer: (B)

In major incidents, every call into the PSAP should be treated as potentially informative, not dismissed as redundant. Callers can provide new or evolving details about location, the number of people involved, injuries, hazards, access routes, and changing conditions. Even if a report seems to describe the same event, it can confirm existing information or add critical nuances that affect how responders are deployed—such as a more precise location, new victims, or a shift in danger level. Log and classify each call, verify whether it’s duplicative, and update the incident record accordingly. This helps incident command maintain a complete, up-to-date picture, allocate resources appropriately, issue warnings, and coordinate across responders. Disregarding subsequent calls risks missing vital information and delaying or mis directing the response.

In major incidents, every call into the PSAP should be treated as potentially informative, not dismissed as redundant. Callers can provide new or evolving details about location, the number of people involved, injuries, hazards, access routes, and changing conditions. Even if a report seems to describe the same event, it can confirm existing information or add critical nuances that affect how responders are deployed—such as a more precise location, new victims, or a shift in danger level. Log and classify each call, verify whether it’s duplicative, and update the incident record accordingly. This helps incident command maintain a complete, up-to-date picture, allocate resources appropriately, issue warnings, and coordinate across responders. Disregarding subsequent calls risks missing vital information and delaying or mis directing the response.