Communication Strategies
Primary Contacts: Crisis Cleanup contains the name, phone number and email address of primary contacts for each stake. Click “All Contacts” at the top of the page.
Communication Strategies: Telephone and internet service is often disrupted after a large or regional disaster. However, experience has shown that 80% of the communications infrastructure is often working again within 72 hours in the US, even after major events. Use multiple communications strategies to maximize the chance of success.
As you determine which communications strategies are most appropriate, consider whether you can communicate with just one or many people at the same time, and whether everyone needs to participate at the same time (e.g. phone) or can retrieve the information at a later time (e.g. email).
Strategy | Benefits | Drawbacks | Common Use Cases |
---|---|---|---|
Cell Phone | Used widely, even internationally. | Relies on cell coverage; batteries go dead when the power is out; not tied to a particular address or location | One-on-one communications. |
Landline Phone | Tied to a physical address. Used widely in the US. | Use of landlines is declining. Requires the recipient to be in a single physical location to receive a call. | One-on-one communications. |
Conference Calls | Rapid communication with many people. | May not be readily available in early days after a disaster, due to downed phone lines. | Coordinating meetings with many participants. |
SMS/Text Messaging | Text messaging is often available even if voice lines are overwhelmed. | Batteries go dead when the power is out. Text messaging can communicate a small amount of information. | Field communications. Checking in with loved ones. |
Internet communications | Internet communication (including e-mail, social media, WebEx, IM, and Crisis Cleanup) is resilient. | Requires sender and recipient to have an internet connection. | Coordinating relief efforts. |
Reverse 911 | Prerecorded messages are a great way to broadcast messages. | Reverse 911 does not easily facilitate two-way communication. Requires phone lines to be live. | Quickly poll a population about wellbeing. Preliminary damage assessments. Large-scale announcements. |
Satellite Phone | Works when cell phones and landlines are down. | If cell phone and landline networks are down, a satellite phone is only useful to call out of the disaster area. | Emergency communications between leaders. |
Amateur Radio Service (ham radio) | Very resilient, even in the worst circumstances. | Due to FCC licensing requirements, Amateur Radio has low consumer penetration. | Emergency communications between an area cut off from the outside world through traditional communications. |
Personal Contact | Contact via foot, bicycle does not require technology. Cars can travel long distances. | Slow, limited to short distances, not scalable. Cars require gas. After a disaster, key roads may be closed off. | Ministering and emergency damage assessments. |
Read More…
- Principles of Disaster Recovery
- Typical Resources and Responses
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Checklist for Stake Presidents
- Checklist for Bishops
- Draft Letter From Stake Presidents to Visiting Stake Presidents (.docx)
- Draft Letter From Stake Presidents to Members and Ward Leaders (.docx)
Other Policies
- Guidelines for Use of Meetinghouses as Emergency Shelters (.doc)
- Donations, Solicitations and Offers (.docx)
- Proselytizing
- Liability, Risk, and Insurance
- Age Requirements
- How to Get Work Orders
- Spiritual and Emotional Well-Being