So many questions arise when a disaster strikes. Consider these dos and don'ts for communicating before, during, and after a disaster.

1. @
Communicating in an Emergency
Use social media to follow federal/local
entities for emergency or alert service
information
Make sure all electronic devices are kept
charged with easy-to-nd, back-up
batteries, and chargers.
Program a list of emergency numbers into
your phone.
Make sure everyone in your family knows
how to text and has everyone’s phone
numbers.
Forward your home phone to your wireless
phone if you have to evacuate.
Keep phones, tablets, laptops, batteries,
chargers, etc. in a dry accessible location.
Are my loved ones safe?
Use a corded phone plugged directly into a
wall jack to place calls if the power goes out.
Use 911 for emergency phone calls only.
Store non-emergency or information lines,
such as 311.
Sources:
safeandwell.communityos.org
hurricanesafety.org/prepare/social-media-and-disaster-preparedness/
verizonwireless.com/news/article/2012/09/wireless-devices-disaster-preparedness.html
newscenter2.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2012/consumer-emergency-preparedness.html
fcc.gov/blog/fcc-and-fema-how-communicate-during-and-after-major-disaster
fcc.gov/guides/emergency-communications
fcc.gov/emergency-communications-tips
ready.gov/family-communications
Communications During a Disaster: Five Lessons Learned, Posted Nov 6 2012 by Communications Network
Expect your answering machine to work if
there is no power.
Make non-emergency calls or drain devices
by playing games, watching videos, etc.
Rely on cordless phones, VoIP phone lines, or
phone services that are routed through a
modem and provided by a cable provider.
Try to text or send pictures to 911.
Have at least one cloud-based (e.g., Google)
email account.
Check social media regularly for updates,
warnings, and to post your status
information.
Automatically assume that losing power
means losing online access. Try WiFi access.
Let your car run out of gas. You may need a
car charger to keep electronics powered up.
Forget to store an ICE (In Case of
Emergency) number.
Wait until an emergency to create an
emergency call plan.
Rely on locally-hosted or employer email
addresses.
Repeatedly try to contact the same phone
number—wait 10 seconds between
attempts or text.
Use texting, emailing, and social media to
reach friends and loved ones.
Use the American Red Cross’s Safe Well
program to communicate your status and
search for others.
Make long phone calls—try to convey only
vital information.
Forget to check resources available from
organizations like the Red Cross, FEMA, DHS.
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How can I tell
my friends
and family
I’m okay?
So many questions arise when a disaster strikes. As
we increasingly rely on new technology and instant
access to online information, we need to protect our
ability to use electronic devices in an emergency.
Consider these dos and don’ts for communicating
before, during, and after a disaster:
DO DON’T
What do I need to know?
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