Communication Plan

Objective  Understand the elements of an effective communication plan

During a crisis the ability to both send and receive communication can become essential.  You will want to be able to:

• Communicate with friends and loved ones
• Monitor emergency news status
• Communicate within your home / retreat
• Communicate will group members outside your retreat

OPTIONS
   Land Line Phones
   Cell Phones
   Satellite Phones
   Internet
   Commercial Radios
   NOAA Radios
   GPS Receivers
   Scanners
   Television
   Weather Radios
   Walkie-Talkies
   Citizen Band Radios
   Single Sideband Radios
   Ham Radios
 

Communicating your safety
In a natural disaster when normal communication such as phones and internet are down, the government may establish a database of displaced persons.  When operating the media will provide information on accessing the database to check on friends and loved ones in the affected areas.

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact,” because after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Electronic Communication

Electrical Power
All electronic communication equipment need a source of electrical power, whether batteries or connection to a 110 volt AC system such as your home electrical system.  Standard "landline"  non-cordless phones get their power from the phone company system.

Small solar powered battery chargers are available for both equipment specific batteries and for use with standard rechargeable batteries.

110 volt AC power is available from your vehicle by using a very inexpensive converter available from stores like Radio Shack.  They plug into your car cigarette lighter and look like a standard power strip.  Just plug in your battery changers, lap top or phone charger.  They cannot provide power for  high power home appliances.

Internal Communication
Indoor and outdoor intercoms are available in both hard-wired and wireless models.  These can be used to communicate within the boundaries of your home for routine and emergency notification.

Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication
When traveling in a group and when you are outside your vehicle, you may need to be able to communicate basic information that you do not want overheard or understood by people outside your group.  Consider developing easily understood code words and gestures to communicate ideas such as:

Danger
All Clear
Watch Carefully
Move Away

Neighbor Communication
If you establish an extended neighbor-based retreat plan, you will need a means of communication and protocol for calling for assistance in emergencies using walkie-talkies, or cell / landline phones.  Manually activated audible alarms, placed on the outside of your home can also be used to notify and alert neighbors of an emergency.

Group Training
Everyone in your group must be trained in the proper use, limitations and care of communication equipment.  Something as simple as having your mouth too close to the microphone can result in garbled communication.  If you establish communication protocols, practice these frequently.