Use the Emergency Fund or Not?

I have a friend who recently lost her job.

She's not the only income earner in the household, but she does contribute a good bit to the family's finances. Fortunately, she has a three month emergency fund saved up. However, her proposed management of that fund leaves me scratching my head.

On the day she lost her job she came to me and said, "Well, that's it. We're going to have to hit the emergency fund now for our expenses."

I asked if things were already that bad.

"Well, no, but this is an emergency so it's time to tap the fund."