Incidents have occurred throughout history for as long as humans have lived. Fires, natural disasters, pandemics, wars, and infrastructure issues are all examples of early-day incidents. As technology has become prevalent and people are more connected, how humans respond to and communicate during incidents has evolved.

To examine the evolution of incident communication, we must look at how incident management practices have changed over time.

Watchtowers and fire signals #

Many centuries ago, communities would use watchtowers to detect potential incidents and serve as a first line of defense. Soldiers staffed these watchtowers and were responsible for responding to any signs of trouble. They relayed information using fire signals, sounds, flags, and human messengers.

Though these strategies may seem outdated, they formed the foundation for modern incident management practices, which still prioritize early detection, rapid communication, clearly defined roles, and swift action.