Overview
Emergencies can cause confusion and directions from authorities may change quickly as the situation develops. Sending and receiving communications (e.g., internet, text, voice, radio, etc.) to call for help and stay informed with instructions on what to do or where to go during an emergency can save lives.
Use the communicating during emergencies fact sheet for tips.
Communications plan
Create a plan that outlines how you and your household will stay connected and reunite if an emergency occurs while separated.
Considerations
- Establish three meeting place(s). One near your home, one outside of your immediate community and one out of town. Save your households meeting location(s) on your phone's mapping application.
- Designate an out-of-town contact as a central point of contact. Make sure all members of your household know who to contact and how to contact them.
- If household members use social media, plan to use the channels Safety Check feature, if offered. This feature allows you to mark yourself safe, letting others know you are ok. It also allows you to search for friends, loved ones, etc. to see if they are safe as well.
- Keep at least one landline telephone in your home.
- Establish a support network of friends, relatives, health-care providers, co-workers and nearby community members who understand your households needs.
- If you have dependents (children, older adults, pets, etc.), know the emergency response plans and communication procedures for the facilities they frequent. Add key people from your support network to their facilities list of approved people they can release your dependents to.
- Consider adding personal details for household members into the plan, such as medical conditions, allergies, surgeries, medications, recent vaccinations, etc.
- Create print and digital copies of your communications plan. Ensure your household and support network have copies.
Emergency contact cards
Utility disruptions, such as a telecommunication outage , can reduce our ability to connect with others through wireless devices that rely on Wi-Fi or cellular towers as well as keeping these devices charged if the power goes out. Creating emergency contact cards for each member of your household and your support network is one way to increase your chances of staying connected and getting support when an emergency occurs.
Create print and digital copies of your emergency contact cards, ensure your household and support network have copies and consider setting a calendar reminder to update your contact cards annually.
Download the emergency contact card template to get started.
Tips to stay connected
Keep in mind that everyday communication devices may not work properly during an emergency. Use the following tips to stay connected:
- Limit non-emergency phone calls. If you must use a phone, keep your conversation brief and convey only vital information.
- If possible, use text messaging, email or social media, as these use less bandwidth than voice communications and may work even when phone service has been disrupted. Avoid using your device to stream videos, download entertainment or play video games.
- If you are unable to complete a call, wait ten seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion.
- Conserve your devices battery by going into power saving mode, reducing the screen's brightness and closing apps.
- Keep extra batteries or a charger for your mobile device in your emergency kit(s), and don’t forget to take them out and charge them a few times a year.
- Sign up for direct deposit and electronic banking through your financial institution so you can access your funds and make payments from wherever you are.
- Remember, in an emergency or to save a life, call 9-1-1 for help.
- Call 211 if someone is in distress or in an unsafe place (non-emergencies).
- If your area offers 311 service or another information system, call that number for non-emergencies.