Importance of Communication
During a Pandemic

What is the importance of communication in the event of a pandemic flu? Phone service and crisis communication can make the difference between life and death for many. Make sure your family is ready!

Financial transactions could be delayed, airline flights grounded, power lost, and national defense affected during a pandemic. You may think that losing phone service won’t affect you. But, before you get too cocky, remember, that if there are power outages, you probably won't have cell phone, your text messenger, or pager services either—at least not for long.

Home Emergency Crisis Communication

Here are some options to consider:

• Put on your walking shoes. If you need to talk to a neighbor, you may need to visit the old fashioned way. If service is only interrupted for a week or so, long distance calls can wait.

• Make sure you have a portable battery operated radio (with plenty of batteries) so that you can keep abreast of the news.

• You may be unable to contact emergency services such as fire, police, ambulance, doctor. You’ll need to make contingency plans for emergencies that you might have. If your phone service no longer works, make sure you know:
  1. Where is the nearest hospital?
  2. How would you transport a sick/injured person?
  3. How would you fight a fire? Do you have fire extinguishers? Is there a source of water, i.e. a creek or stream? Would your neighbors help each other?
  4. What will you do if there are looters in your neighborhood?

Importance of Communication
Getting Current Information

Here are some communication items you may want to consider:

Solar or Hand Crank Radio

Either of these radios is a good choice because they do not require batteries or electricity. Because of that, they should last indefinitely.

CB radio

An old fashioned CB radio has a range of 5 miles. These tend to have more “noise” than VHF.

Single sideband radio

A single sideband can receive information and transmit as far as 6000 miles.

Ham radio

same range as single sideband. A ham radio can operate on electricity, batteries or solar units. In the past, during wars or emergencies, ham radio operators were able to communicate, even though other methods of communication were cut off. For more information about ham radio communication, visit the website of the Amateur Radio Relay League

Communications receiver

This is the "listening" half of a single sideband/ham radio. If you want to shave expenses but still be kept aware of happenings around the world, this could be an option. You do sacrifice the ability to talk to someone else.

VHF radios

These are typically used in a marine environment. Available in hand held, battery operated models with built in antennas. Portables have a range of 10-12 miles. Fixed mount models have a range of up to 40 miles. (Look in boating stores.)

Family Service Radio (FRS)

This is a new class of personal two-way radio. They are intended for personal use and have the advantage of using much higher frequencies and frequency modulation than CBs (insures clear, quiet communication). These would be good for keeping track of family members. (Boating, camping, survival stores, electronics stores like Best Buy) They have a range of 2-3 miles, on land.

Children's walkie talkies

These have a limited use. Make sure you have plenty of batteries.

Flares

These might be used for emergencies. (auto stores, boating, camping or survival stores) One consideration with flares is that you’re assuming that someone will understand your predicament and come to help. Most people understand that flares are used to signal for help, so if you don't have any other way to signal for help, it's worth a try!

As you can see, the importance of communication increases during a flu pandemic, if there is an emergency or crisis. And it will also be especially important for you to keep abreast of what is happening locally, and, even nationally.

Having good information will help you to make good decisions and help you to know when you can safely go back into your community.

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