Learn the different forms of disaster communication when an emergency or disaster strikes.
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Ensure Everyone’s Safety with These Disaster Communication Options
Don’t Be Out of Reach During Emergencies
Disaster communication is important for our survival. There is no way to know exactly when or where a disaster can strike.
Advanced technologies can help predict these occurrences. Nature, though, can still find ways to surprise the unsuspecting population.
Having communication during emergency situations can mean safety and preparedness. It can help reduce the extent of the destruction caused by these calamities.
Here are the different types of disaster emergency communications.
1. Cell Phones/Smartphones: Primary Disaster Communication Device
We will start with cellphones because almost everyone has one. While cell networks are often overwhelmed during a disaster, they still might help you make contact.
If your initial attempts to make a call fail, try texting or using your phone’s data plan to make contact.
As we’ve seen in past disasters, texting and even social media apps can sometimes work, even when voice doesn’t. A text message takes a lot less bandwidth than a phone call, so during a disaster this might be your best bet for making contact.
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2. Alternative Methods of Communication During a Disaster
Here’s more information from offthegridnews.com:
Make sure your family knows all modes of emergency communication during disaster, the method of communication that will be used, and in what order. For example, the first line of communication is cell phone, followed by text, followed by…you get the point. This will ensure family members know how – and more importantly where – to look for emergency messages from loved ones. Also, think of alternate communications, unconventional methods of communicating with loved ones, such as:
Text: Text messages require far less bandwidth than phone calls, and even when the ominous “all circuits are busy” recording comes on, texts will still work as they operate on a parallel network to cell phones.
Email: Don’t discount sending e-mails during emergency situations as a valid method of communication. Email servers are located globally, and it’s unlikely they will all be dead at the same time. But where do you get internet access if cell phone service is dead? Oftentimes, WiFi service will still be up and running, since the cables used for hard-wired Internet operate on different networks than cell phones. For most WiFi, you don’t even need to be in the building to access the service.
3. Phone Booths: Quick and Easy Disaster Communication System
Yes, they still exist, and most of them are on landlines, which are inherently reliable; most landlines have been operational for nigh on 80 years. There are even apps online that tell you where phone booths are located. Make sure you carry change for that purpose.
4. Satellite Phones: Ultimate Device in Emergency Disaster?
While on the expensive side, during a natural disaster or crisis, having a satellite phone just might save your life.
Satellite phones offer a couple of advantages during a disaster. First, they don’t rely on local cell networks, so they’re less likely to be affected by an increase in call volume. Second, even if the entire local cell network goes down, your satellite phone is still going to be operational.
Recently, I’ve been testing the SPOT Global Sat Phone, and I’ve been really impressed with its ability to call from even the remotest areas of the back country. In areas where my cell phone has zero reception, my SPOT phone is able to call out to anywhere in the world.
5. Social Media: The Disaster Communication Wild Card
“We have to think about social media not just as this place online where people go to have fun or share mindless thoughts,” he said. “It’s apparent that social media can be a really powerful tool, not only for preparedness, but also as a coping mechanism.”
Just as radio was years ago, social media helps people connect with others, lets them know there are others out there sharing the same problems.
“It lets people know they are somehow connected to others,” he said. “People use social media to share their feelings, as well as help them try to make sense of the tragedy.”
RELATED: Radio Communication: Part 2 | Which Radio is Right for You?
6. CB Radio: Prepper’s Choice of Communication in Natural Disasters
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I know, you’re probably picturing big rig trucks or bad movies from the 1980’s; but the fact is, the C.B. Radio can be an important part of your emergency communications arsenal. I recommend having one in your vehicle, having a handheld one in your bugout bag, and having a base station at home.
During a localized disaster, you should be able to make contact within a 20 – 30 mile radius. This makes the C.B. Radio a great way to coordinate with friends and family during localized disasters.
7. HAM Radio: Tried-and-Tested Disaster Communication Device
The HAM radio has played an integral role in every disaster this nation has faced for over 100 years. HAM will remain functional even when modern communication devices become worthless. The seemingly old-fashioned devices are extremely reliable and allow users to connect with the outside world when Internet access, cell towers, and phone land lines are no longer functional.
CB ChannelFrequencies
Channel 126.965 MHz
Channel 226.975 MHz
Channel 326.985 MHzPrepper CB Network (AM)
Channel 427.005 MHzThe American Pepper’s Network
Channel 527.015 MHz
Channel 627.025 MHz
Channel 727.035 MHz
Channel 827.055 MHz
Channel 927.065 MHzREACT Channel – Emergency CB radio use
Channel 1027.075 MHz
Channel 1127.085 MHz
Channel 1227.105 MHz
Channel 1327.115 MHzPopular with campers, RV drivers, and boaters
Channel 1427.125 MHzFederal Motor Coach Association
Channel 1527.135 MHzPopular with California truck drivers
Channel 1627.155 MHzPopular with ATV clubs
Channel 1727.165 MHzAlso popular with California tractor-trailer drivers
Channel 1827.175 MHz
Channel 1927.185 MHzPrimary truck driver chat channel
Channel 2027.205 MHz
Channel 2127.215 MHz
Channel 2227.225 MHz
Channel 2327.255 MHz
Channel 2427.235 MHz
Channel 2527.245 MHz
Channel 2627.265 MHz
Channel 2727.275 MHz
Channel 2827.285 MHz
Channel 2927.295 MHz
Channel 3027.305 MHz
Channel 3127.315 MHz
Channel 3227.325 MHz
Channel 3327.335 MHz
Channel 3427.345 MHz
Channel 3527.355 MHzAustralian channel
Channel 3627.365 MHz
Channel 3727.375 MHzPrepper 37 channel
Channel 3827.385 MHz
Channel 3927.395 MHz
Channel 4027.405 MHz
Prepper Freeband and CB Radio Frequencies
CB 3 (AM) 26.9850MHz Prepper Channel
CB 36(USB) 27.3650MHz Survivalist Channel
CB 37 (USB) 27.3750MHzPrepper CB Network – AM
Freeband(USB) 27.3680MHz Survivalist Network
Freeband(USB) 27.3780MHz Prepper Channel
Freeband(USB) 27.4250MHz Survivalist Network
8. Serval Mesh: Promising New Disaster Communication Method
According to The Serval Project:
Mobile phones normally can’t be used when cellular networks fail, for example during a disaster. This means that millions of vulnerable people around the world are deprived of the ability to communicate when they need it most.
We have spent the past four years working with the New Zealand Red Cross to create a solution. We call it the Serval Mesh, and it is free software that allows smart-phones to communicate, even in the face of catastrophic failure of cellular networks.
It works by using your phone’s Wi-Fi to communicate with other phones on the same network. Or even by forming impromptu networks consisting only of mobile phones. Mesh communications is an appropriate technology for complementing cellular networks. Think of it like two-way radio or CB radio that has been propelled into the 21st century. For long-range communications, you will still need to make use of cellular or fixed telephone networks or the internet.
This software allows you to easily make private phone calls, send secure text messages, and share files in caves, in subways, in the Outback, in Australia or Africa, in Europe or the United States — even when cellular networks fail or are unavailable.
You can also keep using your existing phone number on the mesh, which is really important in a disaster when people are trying to get back in contact with each other.
9. Preparation: Best Disaster Communication Solution
Before a Disaster: How to Prepare Your Home and Mobile Device
- Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers in your cell phone and in or near your home phone.
- Keep charged batteries and car-phone chargers available for backup power for your cell phone.
- If you have a traditional landline (non-broadband or VOIP) phone, keep at least one non-cordless phone in your home. It will work even if you lose power.
- Prepare a family contact sheet. This should include at least one out-of-town contact who may be able to reach family members in an emergency.
- Program “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) contacts into your cell phone. This way, emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you cannot use your phone. Let your ICE contacts know about this too. Inform them of any medical issues or other special needs you may have.
- If you need to evacuate, have call forwarding on your home phone. Forward your home phone number to your cell phone number.
- If you do not have a cell phone, keep a prepaid phone card. Use it if needed during or after a disaster.
- Have a battery-powered radio or television available (with spare batteries).
- Subscribe to text alert services from local or state governments. Parents should sign up for their school district emergency alert system.
For more information on disaster communication, here are tips from FEMA:
The tsunamis, typhoons, and earthquakes in recent years stressed the importance of an alternative communication system during disasters. The different communication options can provide you with the best chances for survival.
They allow you to get help when you need it the most. It also provides peace of mind for your worried family members and friends.
Do you have other recommendations for disaster communication? Please share your suggestions in the comments section below.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 12, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
