When using railroad telephone lines or radios, and you hear the word 'Emergency' repeated three times, what must be done?

• A. Continue using line as normal
• B. All others using the line must yield immediately
• C. Immediately stop the device and back away
• D. Notify the supervisor after the emergency

Answer: (B)

Hearing the word Emergency repeated three times on railroad lines or radios is a signal for priority communications. It means someone is transmitting critical safety information and the channel must be cleared for that message. The proper response is for everyone else on the line to yield immediately—stop transmitting and wait for the emergency message to pass and for any further instructions. You keep listening for follow-up directions, but you do not continue talking or introduce your own messages.

This approach ensures the emergency information isn’t jammed by competing transmissions and that responders can coordinate quickly. Continuing as normal would block the emergency signal, and delaying until you notify a supervisor or physically backing away from the device would waste precious time.