What differentiates emergency traffic from routine and priority traffic?

Emergency traffic is characterized by its critical nature, specifically designed to communicate urgent situations or significant developments that require immediate attention from command or on-scene units. This type of communication is essential in high-stress environments like fire scenes, where rapid decision-making can be crucial for the safety of personnel and the effectiveness of operations.

The distinction of emergency traffic lies in its focus on significant new developments, such as a change in the incident status or hazards that could impact firefighter safety. This type of message needs to cut through regular operations, ensuring that it is prioritized and received without delay.

In contrast, routine traffic would encompass regular operational updates or non-critical information, which does not necessitate immediate response or alteration of tactics. Priority traffic may still be important, but it doesn't carry the same immediate urgency as emergency traffic. Communication relayed by the Incident Commander (IC) includes various types of information, not exclusively emergency traffic, thus making it broader than the specific definition of emergency traffic.