If not located within how many hours, notify the shift commander?

• A. 0.5 hours
• B. 1 hour
• C. 2 hours
• D. 4 hours

Answer: (B)

When someone isn’t located, there is a defined point at which escalation to the shift commander should happen. The idea is to get timely oversight and begin proper follow-up while avoiding overreaction or unnecessary alarms.

One hour is the chosen threshold because it prompts prompt accountability and welfare checks without jumping to conclusions for minor, routine delays. It gives enough time for normal operational delays (transit, radio gaps, brief holds) to resolve, while still ensuring that a potential issue is addressed quickly through supervision.

If you escalate too soon, such as after a very short delay, you risk cluttering supervision with false alarms. If you wait too long, such as several hours, critical information and safety can be compromised and the response becomes less effective. One hour strikes a balance, making it the best standard for notifying the shift commander when not located.