Communications
We can't very well talk about Emergency preparedness and skip over Communications. Communications is one the most critical pieces in any preparedness plan. How we will let others know our situation or how we can learn who needs help are both critical in difficult times.
As is always the case, be sure to have a communications plan worked out and tested before anything happens.
One of the best means to stay in touch with what is going on is the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System , NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information.
In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).
Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes more than 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, The picture of the gold colored radio in the heading of this page is just one example of an NOOA radio which has a variety of other functions.
FRS - The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a private, two-way, short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to walkie-talkies. The service is licensed-by-rule so the general public can use the devices without having to obtain a license and channel sharing is achieved through a listen-before-talk etiquette. These range in price from about $20 - $100
GMRS - GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service - The main difference between FRS and GMRS is power. Any radio with 2-Watts or less is classified as FRS and you don't need a license to use it. Any radio with over 2-Watts and up to 50, is classified as GMRS. You do need a license to operate GMRS -The following is an excerpt directly from the FCC website.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
GMRS is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance, two-way communications.
A GMRS system may legally be operated only with an FCC license. The individual licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the GMRS system. A licensee may permit his or her immediate family members to operate the GMRS system.
A GMRS system is made up of station operators and a mobile station consisting of one or more mobile units. It may also include one or more land stations. Some land stations operate as repeaters, thereby extending the range of GMRS mobile units.
New GMRS licenses are granted only to individuals, but GMRS licenses granted to non-individuals (such as businesses) before July 31, 1987, can be renewed if certain conditions are met. You can apply for a GMRS license online - it is a bit of a challenge but I figured it out. The license fee is $35 for 10 years and anyone in your family can use it.
I found a set of GMRS radios on Amazon after a friend of mine told me about them. They are very inexpensive and apparently easy to program (I will be the judge of that!) Here is a terrible picture of a kit with them.
They are - TIDRADIO TD-H3 8-Band Receive Radio with Air Band & USB-C Programming & Charging, 2500mAh Battery, One Key Frequency Match, DTMF FM AM NOAA
The set I got comes with 2 extra batteries and 2 of the longer flexible antennas - All for about $60 if you get the black ones, I wanted the green ones for a little extra. Of course, I found them on Amazon, but I know they can be purchased at several other places.
Amateur radio (aka Ham radio) - Ham radios DO require a license. Licenses are obtained through a network of qualified individuals performing testing opportunities for potential and upgrading licensees. Amateur radio operators have the ability (depending upon many factors) to talk with people around the world. ham radio operators are generally some of the very first to provide assistance during disasters. One of the best ways to become more familiar with Ham/Amateur radio is through ARRL.org - You find all of the information you need to start at this site.
Experience with the "Camp Fire" in Paradise also taught us the value of texting and social media. With all of the cell traffic and access to phones unavailable, social media proved to also help reunite family members who were displaced and considered lost at that time.