I’m Safe! – How to Communicate With Family in an Emergency

This is Day 3 of the 30 Days of Preparedness

My church is in the process of creating an emergency communication plan so that when a disaster of any kind strikes, we can reach each other and assess member needs. This same principle works for neighborhood groups who have come together for a common preparedness cause. One of the scariest parts of a disaster is not knowing how your loved are – during and right after an emergency. You want to know where they are and that they’re safe.

Take the time today and create your own personal family communication plan. It will give you the foundation that will bring the ultimate peace and greatest resilience.

Social Media Plays a Vital Part

Use Social Media to reassure your loved ones quickly and easily. The Red Cross has a series of mobile apps that are designed to teach you BEFORE an emergency and help you AFTER an emergency. Download the apps that apply to your area – Earthquake, Wildfire, First Aid, Hurricane and Tornado – and go to the toolkit section. You will find everything you need to make a plan, get immediate first aid information and notify your loved ones that you are safe.

Plus each app has a cool flashlight, strobe light and alarm in case you are trapped and need to let people know where you are. Using the Red Cross Apps toolkit’s “I’m Safe” tab allows you to use your social media accounts, text messaging and email to send a customized message about how and where you are, all in one shot!

Tools like Twitter and Facebook have become the number one way that news travels, including disaster news. In fact in the Japan and Virginia earthquakes in 2011 year Twitter warnings reached people BEFORE the earthquake waves! Who would think Twitter could save your life!

Social Media is also how emergency management teams have started to track disasters, their damage, and study them. Lastly Facebook is a how most people keep tabs on loved ones

Set up a Calling Tree

The Phone Tree is a vital part of a family communications plan. This is the old fashioned form of social media. As an emergency communications plan it means that one out of state phone call insures that everyone is contacted.

It’s simple: Everyone in the family contacts the out of state designated caller. This person is able to give an update on everyone who has yet to call in, and how everyone is doing. They are the central source of information.

After all reports have been made their job is to spread the news to any who need to know, as illustrated in the infographic. Since everything goes through them, local lines are free for emergency calls and you are free to deal with the emergency.

Designate how frequently everyone reports back to that contact until reunited (hourly, half hour, etc), and then check in daily with any updates on how conditions, health or needs have changed. Be sure that your contact has a copy of your family emergency plan. This means they will literately be able to track your family as they check in throughout the process.

With this plan in place you can rest assured that you’ll know where, and how, everyone is doing as you carry out your family emergency plan. When used together, your family communications plan and family emergency plan help the out of state contact to act like the director of a well-run play.

15 Emergency Numbers you need to have in your cell 

Use Radio’s in an Emergency

There are several ways to consider as you prepare to communicate with family and neighbors in an emergency. You should choose the one that best fits your family needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a need for emergency communications in my neighborhood?

Yes. When an emergency occurs you need the ability to communicate with family, friends, neighbors and civil authorities to provide status reports and requests for assistance. Your cell phone is only one option.

2. If we typically do not have natural disasters in our area, why should we be concerned about emergency communications in our neighborhood?

In addition to natural disasters, an emergency may occur anywhere and without warning. Some examples could be hazardous material spill, fires, power failures and terrorist attacks.

3. Wouldn’t my cell phone be adequate to serve as emergency communication?

Mobile (cell) phones are effective tools for communications under normal circumstances. However, in a disaster or an emergency, cell phone services may often fail due to overload, damage, or loss of power. Restoration of cell service could take some time to be done, possibly even days or weeks depending on the reason.

4. What would be the most cost effective means or equipment that could I get to provide emergency communications for my family? FRS, GMRS, MURS, CB, HAM, or Cell phone?

This depends on many variables and considerations (size of the area you want to reach, local terrain, etc).  The differing communication methods are below so you can compare the pros and cons of each and consider your best options.

CELL PHONES transmit power between 3/4/ to 1 watt. Their typical range is 3 – 6 miles from the nearest cell tower. You will normally get good coverage of your area. The entry level cost: $100 – $300.

Cell Phone Advantages

• Common Availability – Just about everyone has one
• Texting capability works even when low signal
• No license or testing required

Cell Phone Disadvantages

• Have to be signed up with a carrier
• Dependent on the power grid and central office operation
• Limited channels per cell site
• Cell phones aren’t exactly cheap

Citizen Band (CB) transmit in HF frequency band. There is no license or testing required to use it. There are power restrictions – 4 Watts AM; 12 Watts SSB, and no antenna restrictions, but antennas are longer and require more space. Their typical usable range – about 4 miles for AM; 30 – 40 miles for SSB

CB Advantages

• Common Availability
• No license or testing required
• Radios typically easy to use
• Entry level cost – $5 – $50 (AM); higher for SSB capable

CB Disadvantages

• very susceptible to noise and interference
• larger antenna
• SSB difficult to use; incompatible with AM

Family Radio Service (FRS) uses the UHF frequency band and is modulated for FM. There are no license or testing required for use. Power Restrictions are limited to ½ Watt and there are antenna restrictions – you can only use the stub (non-detachable) antenna provided with the units. The typical usable range is up to 1 mile

FRS Radio Advantages

• Entry level cost – about $40 – $80
• Common Availability
• No license or testing required
• All family members can have own radio

FRS Radio Disadvantages

• very line-of-sight
• Interference due to limited channels and high number of possible users

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) uses the UHF frequency band and has 23 channels. It is modulated for FM and requires a license to use it, which is $85 for a 5 year license and you must be 18 years or older. The upside, there is no testing required. Power restrictions are typically 5 Watts and your antenna is restricted to 20 feet above ground or the structure it is mounted to. The typical usable range is 6 to 12 miles.

GMRS  Advantages

• Some channels can be used as repeaters
• Entry level cost – about $40 – $80
• Shares channels with FRS
• License is good for whole family; no testing required
• Can use high-gain antennas for greater range

GMRS Disadvantages

• very line-of-sight
• Interference due to limited channels and high number of possible users

NOTE – If you operate a radio that has been approved for both FRS and GMRS, and if you limit your operations to the FRS channels with a maximum power of ½ watt effective radiated power, you are not required to have a license. (some dual-service radios transmit with higher power on FRS channels 1 through 7; these radios can be used without a license only on FRS channels 8 through 14.)

Multiple User Radio Service (MURS) uses a VHF frequency band and has 6 available channels. The modulation type is FM and there is no license or testing required. The power restrictions are limited to 2 watts maximum. Your antenna cannot go more than 20 feet above structure or 60 feet above ground. The typical usable range is 3 to 10 miles.

MURS Advantages

• VHF frequencies have better ability to get around forests & small hills
• Entry level cost – about $35 – $60Multiple
• Can send data as well as voice

MURS Disadvantages

• Base/mobile radios can be somewhat expensive
• Restricted by line-of-sight (not as much as UHF frequencies)
• Only has 6 channels available

Amateur Radio Service (HAM) has several frequency bands – HF,VHF & UHF; with typical modulation types – AM & SSB (HF); FM (VHF & UHF). Ham radio requires a license to use. It costs $14 for 10 years. Testing is required and the time to study is about 9-15 hours. The typical power outage is 1500 W (HF); 50 W (VHF); 40 W (UHF); 5 W (HT). There are antenna restrictions, by city ordinances & FAA specs. The typical usable Range – 5 miles to 40 miles and up to 100+ miles with access to a repeater.

Communicate in an Emergency – Become a Ham Radio Operator

BaoFeng UV-5RE Plus Dual-Band 136-174/400-480 MHz FM Ham Two-way Radio  on Amazon (affiliate link, thanks for the support!)

Ham Radio Advantages

• Greater flexibility with antenna design & placement
• Greater availability of repeaters to use
• Can use higher wattage
• Entry level cost – about $35 – $60

Ham Radio Disadvantages

• Licensing (Testing & cost )
• Greater cost if wanting to use higher wattage (mobile units)

Learn how to communicate with family in an emergency and get the peace of mind you will need during and after an emergency.  These 3 simple steps – getting the Red Cross apps, creating a family calling tree and purchasing the mobile radio that’s right for you – will get you there.

Thanks for joining the Prepared Bloggers as we work our way through 30 Days of Preparedness. September is National Preparedness Month so you will find everything you need to get your preparedness knowledge and skills into shape.

Take one post each day, learn as much as you can about the topic and make it a part of your preparedness plan.

Day 1 – Ready, Set, Get Prepared! Welcome to 30 Days of Preparedness from PreparednessMama

Day 2 – The Family Meeting Place and Escape from Laughingbear Adventures

Day 3 – I’m Safe! How to Communicate with Family in an Emergency from PreparednessMama

Day 4 – Does Your Family Have a Fire Escape Plan? from Home Ready Home

Day 5 – Preparedness For Pets from The Busy B Homemaker

Day 6 – The Escape Exercise from Laughingbear Adventures

Day 7 – It all Falls Apart Without Mental Preparedness from PreparednessMama

Day 8 – It’s a Matter of Emergency Kits from A Matter of Preparedness

Day 9 – Nine Great Emergency Light Sources Other Than Flashlights from Food Storage & Survival

Day 10 – Cooking Without Power from Mama Kautz

Day 11 – The Importance of a Shelter & Staying Warm and Dry from Trayer Wilderness

Day 12 – The Importance of Having The Right Tools In Your Pack from Trayer Wilderness

Day 13 – Practice Living Without Electricity from Food Storage Made Easy

Day 14 – How We Choose The Right Gear – (including the MultiFlame Tool) from Trayer Wilderness

Day 15 – Water Storage & Purification from The Busy B Homemaker

Day 16 – Food and Water for a 72 Hour “Go Bag” from Homestead Dreamer

Day 17 – 8 Foods You Should Be Storing and How from Melissa K Norris

Day 18 – Planning Your Pantry from The Organic Prepper

Day 19 – Stocking Up on Non-Food Items from Living in Rural Iowa

Day 20 – Dutch Oven Cooking: Off-Grid Before Off-Grid Was Cool from The Backyard Pioneer

Day 21 – Preserving and Canning the Harvest from Timber Creek Farm

Day 22 – Personal Protection & Awareness from Living in Rural Iowa

Day 23 – KISS First Aid from Herbal Prepper

Day 24 – Mommy, I have to go Potty! from Mom With a Prep

Day 25 – Fire Starting 101: The Why and How of Lighting a Fire for Survival from Food Storage & Survival

Day 26 – How to Filter and Purify Water from Prepared Housewives

Day 27 – How To Make A Shelter from Trayer Wilderness

Day 28 – Put Your Preps to the Test with 24 Hours Unplugged from The Organic Prepper

Day 29 – What Is Char and Why You Should Have It To Start A Fire from Trayer Wilderness

Day 30 – How To Utilize Bushcraft Skills and Forage From The Wild from Trayer Wilderness

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