Introduction
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offer the following information and tips on how best to communicate before, during, and after a major disaster.
With proper preparation, you can help ensure that your family and friends are able to stay in touch during an emergency. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a major disaster will help you be better prepared and will improve your chances of staying connected.
FCC and FEMA’s Roles
FCC and FEMA’s Roles
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) play important roles in preparing for and responding to major disasters.
The FCC is responsible for ensuring that the nation’s communications infrastructure, including the broadcast, telephone, and wireless networks, is resilient and can withstand and rapidly recover from significant disruptions. This includes working with communications providers to ensure that their networks are designed and built to withstand disasters, and coordinating with FEMA to plan for the use of communications resources during emergencies.
FEMA is responsible for leading the federal government’s response to major disasters, which includes coordinating the use of all federal resources to save lives, protect property, and help communities recover. FEMA also works with state, local, tribal, territorial, nongovernmental partners, the private sector, and volunteers to provide critical services during emergencies.
How to Prepare
Before a Disaster
It is important to have a plan in place before a disaster Strikes. This plan should include multiple ways to communicate with your family and loved ones before, during, and after the event. discussing the plan with everyone involved will help ensure that everyone knows what to do and how to get in touch with each other.
Some things to consider when creating your communication plan:
-Identify an out-of-state or out-of-area friend or relative who can be your “family contact.” After a disaster, it may be easier to make a long distance phone call than to try to reach someone who lives nearby. Make sure everyone in your family knows the contact’s name, address, and phone number.
-Plan how you will get in touch with each other if you are not together when the disaster strikes. Decide on meeting places near your home, office, and school in case family members are separated from each other during an evacuation.
-Practice your plan! Periodically check batteries in flashlights and radios and make sure everyone knows how to use them. Remember, during a power outage you will not be able to charge your cell phone, so it is important to have backup batteries or another way to recharge it.
-Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use text messaging on their cell phones as it may be the best way to communicate during an emergency if voice lines are overloaded
During a Disaster
2-1-1 is a three-digit telephone number that people in the United States and Canada can call for free, confidential information and referrals to health and human services.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designates 2-1-1 as the nationwide telephone number for community information and referral services. The numbers are allocated on a first come, first served basis by telecommunications carriers, subject to the availability of numbers in the area code(s) requested.
2-1-1 services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in most areas of the United States and Canada. Service providers use a common database that contains information about government and nonprofit human services programs. Service providers have access to interpreters who can provide service in more than 140 languages. TTY service is also available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
2-1-1 services are funded through a variety of sources, including federal, state, and local governments, United Way organizations, and private donors.
After a Disaster
After a major disaster, it is vital that you have a way to communicate with your loved ones. During the disaster, all landline and cellular phone service may be down or overloaded. The best way to communicate is through text messages or social media.
FEMA also recommends that you create a list of people who you would need to contact in the event of an emergency and make sure everyone has each other’s contact information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to have a plan in place for how you will communicate before, during, and after a major disaster. The FCC and FEMA offer many resources to help you make sure that you and your loved ones are prepared. By following their guidelines and creating a communication plan, you can ensure that everyone knows what to do and how to stay safe during an emergency.