Emergency communication:
Staying connected in chaos

What is emergency communication?

Emergency communication refers to the exchange of vital information during crises. It involves sharing critical details such as alerts, warnings, instructions, and requests for assistance. It’s intended to ensure the safety and well-being of the individuals involved. 

 

It plays a pivotal role in minimizing risks, saving lives, and maintaining order during times of distress.

 

Though emergency communication can take various forms, including phone calls, text messages, two-way radios, public address systems, sirens, and even social media platforms, we’re going to focus on what to do when tech solutions aren’t readily available (i.e., the internet and cell phones). And, we’re going to focus on emergency communication with your friends and loved ones — your team.

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Why is emergency communication important?  

In the midst of mayhem, having reliable communication can infuse some calm. It's your lifeline to the outside world, your means of reaching out for help, and your way of staying connected with your team. Think of it as the secret handshake that keeps you all in sync, even when life, the universe, and everything feels like it's falling apart. 

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Being able to communicate with your team during emergencies brings peace of mind and helps ensure everyone’s safety. With the right plan in place, and strategic codewords, you can share important information, provide meet-up coordinates, give reassurance, and annoy your loved ones with an occasional “dad joke” — restoring some semblance of normalcy. 

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What’s the best way to communicate in an emergency? 

Cell phones are great when a fire is heading your way and the local authorities send an emergency text to “evacuate now.” They’re not as great when that same wildfire has wiped out the cell towers, blocked emergency personnel from entering the area, and plunged you into pony-express era message delivery options. 

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Plus, when too many calls are being made simultaneously in your area, cell towers can easily become overwhelmed. When this happens, your call likely won’t go through. That’s when you need other types of emergency communication systems. 

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Our preference for emergency communication devices is GMRS radios. 

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What is a GMRS radio good for?

A GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radio is primarily used for short-range, two-way communication. It operates on specific frequency channels, offering a wider range and higher power than Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, and more ease of use than a ham radio. GMRS radios are commonly used for various outdoor activities in areas of limited or no cell coverage such as hunting, hiking, and Jeep’n.

 

They allow for quick and efficient communication up to about 50 miles. They can also be beneficial in emergency situations or when traditional communication methods are unavailable. 

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With a simple GMRS two-way radio in hand, or as a base station in your home or vehicle, you can keep the lines of communication open with your team, your family, or fellow survivors. It's like having your own personal bat signal, but without the cape and spandex. 

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Effective communication during disasters

To ensure effective communication during disasters, consider the following measures:

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1. Establish an emergency communication plan

Long before cell towers fall, it’s important to establish a plan with your team. Create a comprehensive communication plan that outlines the roles, responsibilities, and contact information for everyone on your team. Your plan should also include backup communication methods in case your primary methods fail.

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Consider the following questions when prepping your communication plan:

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• Which roles and responsibilities do you need to define and assign?

• Which types of radios will you use? 

  • GMRS, FRS, HAM? 

• What channels will you use? 

• What’s your backup communication method?

• What time of day will you check in?

• Where on your property do you get the best signal?

• How far does your radio reach?

• What code words can you use to ensure security?

• How do you ensure that each household in your team has a radio?

• Should you store your radios in a faraday cage?

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Channels, codes, and secret handshakes

Just like a secret society, you should have your own channels and secret codes. It's like being part of a cool club, but with less dancing and more survival skills. 

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Designate which channels you’ll use and make sure everyone in your team knows what they are. And don’t forget the power of secret codes — those strategic words and phrases that keep your messages hidden in plain sight. 

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During a complete collapse of society, when stores are being looted to the point of desolation, you don’t want to get on a radio and say, “We’ve got the goods at such-and-such address.” That’s simply stating, “If you can’t find food at the local WalMart because it’s already ransacked, come and ransack us.” 

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2. Use multiple communication methods

Invest in reliable communication equipment like GMRS radios or satellite phones that can function even when traditional infrastructure is disrupted. These tools can provide crucial communication capabilities during emergencies.

 

Not sure which radios to buy? View our recommendations and shop for emergency radios.

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3. Maintain backup power

Ensure that you have sufficient back up power to keep your communication devices charged and ready to use. This can include extra batteries, power banks, or generators. Regularly check and recharge these power sources to ensure they’re ready when needed.

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4. Establish emergency communication networks

Participate in or establish local emergency communication networks with those on your trusted SHTF team, or if you’re a ham fan, find a ham radio club. If you’re establishing your own network with the people you trust, set guidelines for the frequencies you’ll use, how and when to check in, and who will facilitate communication during disasters.

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5. Stay informed

Continuously monitor official communication channels, emergency alerts, and news updates to stay informed about the situation, changes, and instructions from authorities. This information will help guide your communication efforts. One way to monitor these communications is by keeping an emergency scanner on hand and listening to the transmissions from local and national emergency teams.

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6. Practice and train 

Conduct drills and exercises to practice emergency communication procedures. This helps identify any weaknesses in the system and allows individuals to become familiar with the communication tools and protocols. 

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Gather your team, your loved ones, or your unsuspecting friends, and stage mock emergencies. Test your equipment, fine-tune your codes, and practice relaying important information with speed and precision. It might feel a bit like playing make-believe, but trust me, when the real deal hits, you'll be grateful for the practice. Remember, communication is a skill, and like any skill, it requires practice to hone and perfect.

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Take it a step further and incorporate your communication practice into a paintball or airsoft battle. See how you and your team perform under pressure — before actual lives are at stake.

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Remember, effective communication during disasters is a crucial aspect of response and coordination. By being prepared, having redundant systems, and staying informed, you can increase the chances of maintaining effective communication when it matters most. 

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Adapt and stay informed in a changing world

In the world of emergency communication, adaptability is the name of the game. Technology evolves, communication channels change, and new tools emerge. Experiment with different channels, antennas, and new communication methods that come your way. After all, surviving in chaos requires a willingness to roll with the punches.

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What is an example of emergency communication?

Imagine that there’s a dangerous level of civil unrest in your community and cell towers can’t handle the number of calls coming in. With an emergency communication plan in place, your friends would know the time of day you’ll be on your radio during such a situation, which channel to reach you on, and the code words to communicate their location. In turn, you could provide them with the resources they need to get out and protect their safety — or vice versa.

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This provides clarity about each person’s circumstances, and the assurance that you can:

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• Know what your friends are facing

• Understand their immediate needs and/or risks

• Take the appropriate actions to help your team members, such as:

  • Meeting up with them to provide resources  

  • Transporting team members to safer locations 

 

This is just one emergency communication example. Another example is that of a remote community.

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In remote communities, there are often people who can’t reach cell towers and who have no internet. This means that there are people in remote communities who have no way to communicate if they’re trapped inside their homes during heavy snowstorms, are unaware of approaching wildfires, or who may be unable to call for help during a medical emergency. 

With mobile radios, and a communication plan, those people could confirm their safety or request assistance from neighbors.  

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Your emergency communication action plan

Now that you have some background on how to communicate during an emergency, it’s time to create your own action plan. Take a moment to jot down a few ideas about who your team is comprised of, which radios you’ll be using, and who will lead the team. 

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Remember, when chaos strikes, communication becomes your superpower, and your ability to communicate effectively might just be the difference between survival or defeat.