“Emergency Communication Guidelines,” Emergency Preparedness (2023)
Emergency Communication Guidelines
Introduction
During a disaster, normal means of communication may become inoperable; however, the need to communicate with Church leaders, missionaries, members, employees, civil authorities, and others is greatly increased. Using proper emergency communication methods can help decrease anxiety and stress during an emergency.
The Foundation of Emergency Communication
The Church’s objective in establishing emergency communication is to ensure that critical information can be received and conveyed. Church leaders, Church employees, members, volunteers, and civic authorities rely on these crucial messages and communication channels before, during, and after a disaster.
This includes:
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The transfer of information and instructions from area, mission, and stake leaders to ward leaders, missionaries, and members.
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Reports on the status of missionaries, Church members, and Church properties.
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Plans for responding to needs of Church members and the community.
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Coordination of relief efforts with civil authorities and other relief agencies.
The Church uses emergency communication specialists and welfare and self-reliance specialists to help with these important communications. The following sections describe the role of the communication specialist, the role of the welfare and self-reliance specialist, what communication is available, and various methods of communication.
What Is the Role of a Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist?
The role of a welfare and self-reliance specialist assigned to manage emergency communications is to enhance a leader’s ability to communicate prior to a disaster and during disaster response.
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Stake presidents may call a welfare and self-reliance specialist to manage emergency communications. A stake welfare and self-reliance specialist is called by and reports to the stake presidency.
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An Area Seventy may call an area welfare and self-reliance specialist (under the direction of the Area Presidency) and coordinate closely with the area welfare and self-reliance managers (AWSRMs).
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Local welfare and self-reliance managers (LWSRMs) are informed of the calling of new stake welfare and self-reliance specialists.
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Area welfare and self-reliance managers (AWSRMs) are informed of the calling of new area welfare and self-reliance specialists.
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Area welfare and self-reliance specialists communicate as needed with both the coordinating council and the AWSRM in their assigned area. Additionally, these specialists coordinate with the LWSRM as needed.
When managing emergency communications, specialists should not replace presiding ecclesiastical leaders or act outside of their direction. The specialist should be familiar with various communication options (see “Communication Methods” section). A stake welfare and self-reliance specialist has the following responsibilities with regards to emergency communications:
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Functions under the direction of a priesthood leader to ensure that he can communicate with Church leaders within the stake or ward and with local civil authorities.
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Recommends backup mode(s) of communication that will work most effectively.
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Helps develop the emergency communications section of the stake emergency preparedness and response plan.
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Maintains an understanding of the emergency communication plans of their local community/government.
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Plans to serve at the side of the priesthood leaders to ensure effective communications during a disaster. An AWSRM supports stake specialists in their emergency communication efforts and serves under the direction of the Area Seventy to ensure that he can communicate with the AWSRM, with stake leaders in the coordination council, and with local civil authorities.
What Communication Equipment Is Available?
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Communication equipment has been positioned at Church headquarters, some welfare facilities, and area offices. These tools aid in the Church’s overall response to a disaster and will be used for emergency communication if necessary.
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Local communication equipment can also be an effective resource for local units. Welfare and self-reliance specialists assigned to emergency communications are encouraged to identify individuals with communications equipment and technical capabilities who can support local leaders with communication during a disaster.
Amateur Radio Networks (“Nets”)
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Nets may also be organized at the local unit level under the direction of priesthood leaders.
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Amateur radio should be seen as one of several options with which local emergency communication specialists should be familiar (see the “Communication Methods” section).
Note: Additional information about communication equipment can be found in the Meetinghouse Facilities Handbook under “Other Information Related to Meetinghouse Facilities.”
What Are the Communication Methods?
Telephone and internet services are often disrupted after a large or regional disaster. Leaders and members should be prepared to communicate using alternate methods that are available locally. However, experience has shown that 80 percent of the communications infrastructure is often working again within 72 hours, even after major events. (In some cases, it may take weeks before power and communications systems are restored.)
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Benefits |
Considerations |
Common Use Cases | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Cell phone | Benefits Used widely | Considerations Relies on cell coverage; not tied to a particular address or location; recommended to have portable phone chargers on hand in case of power outages (this technology is tenuous and fragile in a major disaster) | Common Use Cases One-on-one communication |
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Landline phone | Benefits Tied to a physical address | Considerations Requires the recipient to be in a physical location to receive or make a call (may not be available if interconnecting wiring is damaged) | Common Use Cases Both one-on-one communication and conference calls |
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SMS/Text messaging | Benefits Often available even if voice lines are overwhelmed | Considerations Communicates a small amount of information; recommended to have portable phone chargers on hand in case of power outages | Common Use Cases Field communications |
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Internet communications (email, social media, video conferencing) | Benefits Versatile and resilient | Considerations Requires sender and recipient to have an internet connection and software (only as resilient as the internet infrastructure) | Common Use Cases Mass coordination of relief efforts |
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Satellite phone | Benefits Works when cell phones are down | Considerations Effective in areas where the satellite signal is good and the system is not overloaded | Common Use Cases Used for incoming and outgoing calls |
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Amateur (HAM) radio | Benefits Very resilient, even in the worst circumstances | Considerations Requires a license | Common Use Cases Reliable for communication going into and out of affected areas |