Paper Towel Emergency!

I was washing my hands in the men's restroom earlier today and as I went to grab some paper towels I stopped and read what it said on the dispenser. I don't know why I never have paid attention before. It says "Emergency feed on the side. Turn knob." Um... is there such thing as an emergency when paper towels aren't coming out of the bottom of the dispenser for you to pull on? Is your life at risk because the paper towels aren't working right?

Maybe it should say something like "manual feed on the side, turn the knob if no paper towels are coming out." Ha ha ha! Maybe I am wrong, and it should qualify as an emergency... I just have a hard time understanding I guess.