What should be communicated if a unit is off the air?

Communicating the current location of the officer is crucial when a unit goes off the air. This information ensures that other units and dispatch can maintain awareness of the officer's whereabouts, which is essential for safety and coordination. If an officer is in a situation where they cannot communicate further due to being off the air, knowing their last known location allows for prompt assistance or backup if needed. This transparency is vital in maintaining operational awareness and ensuring the safety measures are intact for the officer and the unit overall.

Providing the reason for going off the air, availability of substitute units, or current situation status may not be as immediately critical as simply knowing the officer's location. While those factors are also important for operational readiness, the top priority in a communication blackout is to ensure that the physical safety of the officer is maintained through tracking their last position.