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Disaster Communications Summary
Hello everybody and welcome to the beginning of the year.
My first gift to you this year is a summary of the disaster communications articles.
Previous posts on Disaster Communication can be found here:
Part I: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-vk
Part II: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-vw
Part IIA: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-vP
Part IIIA: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-y4
Part IIIB: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-yc
Part IIIC: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-z2
Part IV: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-A1
Part IVB: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-Bc
We cover three things:
- Who is communicating
- Why are you communicating
- And how will you communicate
In this summary, we will discuss what I have learned, and done while researching disaster communications material.
1. Who is communicating?
Life partners, children, schools, relatives, businesses, employees, emergency responders. Think about it now. It is your decision.
A point of contact list needs to be created and disseminated to everyone on it. Anyone in your disaster plan that may be, might be or will be required to take some form of action, pass or receive information should be on this list.
Get your spiral-bound notebook and start writing.
No, you cannot wait. Do this now!!! There is not a someday on the calendar.
2. Why do you need to communicate?
Are you safe?
Are they safe?
What’s your location?
Are you in transit?
Are they in transit?
Where to, where from, when are they going to arrive?
Insert your reason here __________.
3. How will you communicate?
In the how-to part of the summary, we will look at the hardware, software, inbound one-way, outbound one-way, and two-way communications.
The hardware department we start with inbound one-way communications.
NOAA Weather Radio
My recommendation is that you get two NOAA weather radios.
Tabletop AC powers NOAA radio, always-on capability.
A portable radio powered by batteries, hand crank, or solar power AM/FM, NOAA capable. I like this radio because it has a digital tuner.
If you buy off these links, I will receive a commission. I am an Amazon affiliate.
Software applications
Part II: https://wp.me/p7NwNC-vw
AAA: yes, the American Automobile Association.
County Emergency Alert Services:
The Emergency Alert System (EAS):
Emergencyemail.org:
These services will provide near real-time information for emergency updates for your geographical location.
Tools of the trade:
Cell phones:
SMS will be the best mode of use immediately following an event within the affected area.
Text messaging has a better chance of getting through when the whole world is trying to make a call.
Call or Text your Out-of-Town contact first with your status. Do not expect them to know what is happening right away.
Cell Phones will only last as long as you have battery power and the cell towers are up and running.
Landlines:
We might think we have a landline, but it may be a VIOP hooked up to your Internet.
As soon as your power goes out so will your home phone. Call your provider to learn the truth about your home phone.
If you do have a true land-line, they may still work when the city power drops, because they operate on a separate power source.
Satellite communications.
On the top of the list for off-grid communications is the satellite phone.
Yes, the most reliable option available for off-grid communications.
The downside to this is a satellite phone will not reach a cell phone in an affected area if the cell-towers are un-powered.
Sattelite Phones are better suited for calling out of a disaster area, not calling in.
Everybody in the affected area may need one and will require ongoing service contracts to keep them up and running and usable at a moment’s notice.
A satellite phone does not operate on a cell phone network.
Two-way radio communications
This is my go-to option for communicating within the affected area.
Two-way radio communications is a line of sight operation with some exceptions.
In the Urban environment, your range will be impeded by obstructions. Local repeaters can increase range significantly.
I like GMRS radios for urban communications. They are relatively inexpensive, can operate up to 50W of power, but they do require licensing.
The head of the household can secure through the FCC a license which is usable for the entire family. My cost was $75 for a 10-year license, no test required.
I recommend the BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band. Capable of use in multiple frequencies. FRS, GMRS, NOAA, MURS, Amateure (Ham) Radio, Marine and Aviation.
I have provided this radio to members of my family.
***NOTE*** They are programmable for GMRS and HAM frequencies, you must be licensed to transmit on them. You can listen without a license though.
Single: https://amzn.to/2ZqySi5
Six Pack: https://amzn.to/2Zq78dv
My handheld is the BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio. I have added a microphone. Battery and antenna upgrades.
Get your GMRS and Amateur (Ham) Radio License.
Ham License took me only a week of study.
A base station will be the next upgrade.
This can also operate on the family GMRS frequencies.
Yaesu Original FT-8900R 29/50/144/430 MHz Quad-Band FM Ham Radio Transceiver. Entry-level low price local usability. It can operate on GMRS and HAM frequencies (license needed). The radio will also need an external antenna. Lacks bells and whistles.
Mobile/Base: https://amzn.to/2SwpuYK
If you buy off these links, I will receive a commission. I am an Amazon affiliate.
These are inexpensive radios to start with.
***Note*** Transmitting on GMRS and HAM frequencies without a license is Illegal. Get licensed and learn how to use the radios.
Waiting until you need a tool is not the time to start learning how the tool works.
Have on hand extra batteries and/or alternate sources of power.
Power Banks, Solar or Generators. Do your homework.
Off-Grid Power; https://wp.me/p7NwNC-tz
Disaster Communications Plan
We reviewed;
Your Point of Contact List.
Your Disaster Communications plan.
Your Emergency Calling Tree.
You will use the POC list to create the Communications Plan.
The Disaster Communications Plan outlines who you are contacting, why you are contacting them, how you will make contact and what are your alternatives.
Yes, you need a plan B & C.
Standardized radio communications protocols.
Talking on a two-way radio is not the same as using a cell phone.
Radio voice procedures are intended to clarify the spoken word and reduce errors in the message by the use of accepted radiotelephone procedures.
This is not optional.
If you cannot speak correctly on a two-way radio, you will not be listened to.
Your information may be garbled and not understood.
And you may be told to get off the net so someone who does know what they are doing can communicate.
Becoming proficient with two-way radio procedures requires practice.
Go to http://www.arrl.org/ to find a local Amateur radio club in your region.
Prowords
To keep voice communications clear and short, radio operators use procedure words (PROWORDS) in place of long sentences.
Phonetic Alphabet
There are 26 codewords in the NATO phonetic alphabet. These are assigned to the 26 letters of the English alphabet in alphabetical order.
“Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu”
Numerical Pronunciations
Numerical Pro words have the same function as the phonetic alphabet. They allow strings of numbers to be transmitted without confusion.
0 – ZE RO
1 – WUN
2 – TOO
3 – TREE
4 – FOW ER
5 – FIFE
6 – SIX
7 – SEV EN
8 – AIT
9 – NINER
There are accepted procedures that allow clear concise two-way radio communications.
Failure to use them may cause your important message to be garbled, unintelligible and not listened to.
See FM 24-18 chapter five “Radio Operating Techniques” for additional information on Prowords the phonetic alphabet and numerical pronunciations.
Radio communications is a turn-based event. Be patient.
The use of Pro-Words, Numerical Pronunciation and the Phonetic Alphabet allow clear communication lessening the need to repeat oneself.
Be clear, simple, brief, and secure.
Avoid passing personally identifiable information (PII) over the air.
Get your GMRS and Amateur radio licenses.
Go to http://www.arrl.org/ to find a local Amateur radio club in your region.
Learn to use the equipment, before you need to use it.
Till next time
“Be Safe”
WREE365 & KN4ZTW
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