When disaster strikes, staying connected is the number one imperative. Humans need to communicate. We feel anxious when we cannot communicate with others, find out the status of friends and family, or are unable to gather information about if and when help is on the way.
Hurricane Helene showed us once again, that when an area, unaccustomed to dealing with disasters such as hurricanes, is dealt a hard blow, the power goes off, communications go down – critical infrastructure fails. While we can’t always predict when or where the next disaster, natural or human-caused, will occur, we can take some practical steps to prepare for the worst.
An easy step to take is having a broadcast radio and some batteries on hand. Broadcast radio transmits over a large area, has robust backup power capabilities, and is a great way to stay informed. I have a small broadcast radio that has both solar and hand-cranked power options. These radios are pretty cheap and will always make sure you can stay informed. You can also use the radio that is installed in your car.
Your cell phone is another great option. Cell service will probably go down during a crisis, but new technologies, such as drone-carried cellular base stations – flying COWS (Cell on Wings) may allow you to connect to the network even though the main cell towers are still down.
One of the lessons I learned when responding to Hurricane Katrina as part of the National Guard, is using text messaging. Unlike phone calls which have complex setup and teardown procedures, SMS messages are simply transmitted to the carrier. They use small data packages and your phone will continue attempting to send the message automatically. Sometimes if service is spotty and a call won’t connect, an SMS will still get through.
Of course, your cell phone’s battery will deplete after a day, so it’s important that you have a way to charge it. Your car is usually a good option, or you can invest in a small solar-powered USB charger, that way, you know your cell phone will be functional when service comes back online.
A new technology I learned about while conducting research on Helene is emergency satellite text messaging; the ability to send and receive emergency satellite text messages even when cell service is down. Apple has included this capability with their iPhone 14 and above as have some other cellular phone manufacturers.
You can find out more about iPhone’s disaster preparedness features here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/101573
These are just some of the ways you can enhance your disaster preparedness and ensure you, your family, and your organization stay connected during emergencies. If this content interests you and you want to be involved with developing solutions on how we can communicate more effectively during disasters, better prepare for disasters, and make ourselves and organizations more resilient, join the EIS Council’s Human Continuity Project and become part of one of our working groups. You can find out more information here: https://eiscouncil.org/hcp/
We are all connected.
We are all vulnerable.
By: Noya
Five Crises That Rewrote the Rules of Resilience, and What the Next One Will Demand
On 12 May 2017, hospital staff across England reached for patient records and found locked screens instead. The risk wasn’t new. Neither were many of the vulnerabilities exposed by the crises that followed. We have accumulated years of reports, inquiries, and recommendations on how to protect critical infrastructure. Yet the distance between identifying a risk […]
Infrastructure Stress Testing: Grid Forecasting Is Not Enough In This Heat
When temperatures rise, the first concern is usually public health. That is understandable. Extreme heat can put lives at risk, especially for older adults, outdoor workers, medically vulnerable communities, and people without reliable access to cooling. But heat also tests the systems behind daily life. Electric grids face higher cooling demand. Hospitals may see more […]
Electric Grid Resilience and the FIFA World Cup: Power Reliability Is a Major Event Security Priority
The FIFA World Cup is not just a global sports event. It is also a major test of the host-city infrastructure. When tens of thousands of fans move through stadiums, airports, transit systems, hotels, fan zones, and city streets, reliable electricity becomes essential to safety and continuity. Power supports much more than stadium lights. It […]
