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Arlington County Fire Department Captain Jeff Liebold used foot messengers to inventory onsite units. He sent two firefighters on foot to record the identification number and location of each piece of equipment on the Pentagon grounds because radio communications could not be employed to perform this task.

Foot messengers often proved to be the most reliable means of communications during the initial rescue efforts. Fortunately, a surplus of personnel was available at the incident site to serve in that capacity.

According to the Arlington County After-Action Report, fire and rescue organizations should establish plans for alternate means of communications during mass-casualty incidents. A number of methods can be employed, including foot messengers.