VoIP Business and Virtual PBX
Communications

Family communications planning

We are then of year where we are planning family vacations, reunions, attending weddings, having family picnics, etc. These activities give us great opportunities to touch base, update contact information and have a bit of discussion on a family communications plan.

One of the first things that a community loses in a disaster is communications. The electricity goes out so they can't use their cordless phones. The cell towers are overwhelmed and cell phones become useless within minutes. So, even if they were not personally affected by the incident, they can't contact others. And you can't contact them.

We have learned from past disasters that the No. 1 possession that people want or need in the aftermath of a disaster is a way to communicate. Mostly this means a cell phone. We have become a society in other words very dependent on having contact with anyone at our fingertips at all times.

The most reliable form of communication that we have available today is texting. During landline phones, computers, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phones and cell phones are vulnerable and quickly overwhelmed in a disaster, texting as a rule works. Sending a quick, short text works for many reasons.

One of the reasons is that you do not have to continue to try calling on a cell phone. Your text message will stay in queue until it is able to go through. Send it once and you don't need to do it again. It will go through faster than constantly redialing, which is one of the ways that cell towers get overwhelmed. Remember, keep the message short and informational. Examples are: "we are ok." "house is ok." "we are ok. at a shelter at the high school. " etc.

Having discussion with family and friends about who can be the main contact that will be awaiting a message and will be responsible to pass it on is the first step in communications planning. You should have a couple of these main contacts. As well having a contact in other words out of the area is suggested so there is less chance of them being affected by the same incident

Now, does everyone have the most current contact information for everyone? Does everyone have texting capabilities on their phone? Does everyone know how to text? Is there a need to help or teach older friends and relatives? A quick texting tutorial may be in order.

More information: Marshallindependent