How should you prepare for an emergency drill involving sound-powered telephones?

• A. Review procedures, verify gear, and practice disciplined line usage and call signals.
• B. Avoid practicing to save time.
• C. Only practice if someone else is available.
• D. Use other devices instead.

Answer: (A)

Preparing for an emergency drill with sound-powered telephones centers on readiness and discipline. You should review the drill procedures so you know exactly how to initiate calls, log events, handle any failures, and coordinate with other stations. Verifying the gear means checking that the handsets and cords are intact, interconnections are secure, and everything is clean and ready to function, since there’s no power reliance to cover for faulty hardware. Practicing disciplined line usage and call signals trains you to speak clearly into the line, use correct call signs, and follow the established sequence so messages travel quickly and without ambiguity. This preparation helps ensure reliable communication when stress is high and speeds up correct responses during the drill.

Skipping practice to save time, practicing only when someone else is available, or using other devices instead would undermine the drill’s purpose and could leave crews unprepared if power or other systems fail.