What can be a potential risk if pagers are not set to alert in a shared dispatch frequency?

When pagers are not set to alert on a shared dispatch frequency, one significant risk is confusion among responders. This situation arises because responders may not receive the alerts for an emergency call or may receive them at different times, leading to a lack of coordination.

In a fire response scenario, it's crucial that all firefighters and departments are on the same page when they receive an emergency call. If some responders do not hear the alert or are alerted on a different channel, they may arrive at the incident scene without critical information or when coordination with other units has already started. This can lead to delays in response efforts, miscommunication about the situation on the ground, or even missed opportunities to provide timely assistance.

The efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response depend heavily on clear communication and timely alerts within the emergency service network. Ensuring that all responders are alerting on the same frequency mitigates confusion and fosters a more organized and effective response to incidents.