In an emergency situation there are a
number of tasks to be done. If there is, for instance, an engine fire the crew
must:
1. Continue to fly the aeroplane.
2. Deal with the fire.
3. Put out an emergency call.
4. Sort out the implications to
various aircraft systems (e.g. electrics, hydraulics etc.)
5. Arrange any necessary diversion or
other ATC requirements.
If the whole crew concentrates on
putting out the fire and nobody flies the aeroplane
then an emergency which could have been handled turns into a disaster.