communication

Communication with each other as well as the outside world is essential to preserving mental health. It also serves to bring people together in community. Remember: even the Lone Ranger had Tonto and Batman had Robin. Loners die in survival situations. God desires for us to work together, not separate.

FIRST THOUGHTS
Have a reliable contact person or persons out of your area for all members of the family to check in with in the case of a disaster.
Make sure children and elderly know their name, address and phone numbers. Place info on a protective card and place in their shoe, under the sole.
Have phones programmed with emergency numbers such as police and fire. Do not rely on 911 lines, as they may be jammed.

TWO WAY COMMUNICATION

Landline Phones
Even if the electricity is out, the phones may be working. Have at least one line that does not require an electrical plug.

Cell Phones
Cell phones may and may not work in a disaster. Make sure all relevant phone numbers are programmed in. Use ICE as a main contact number if you are not able to use your phone.

Personal Radios
Have a set frequency for all members of your family or community to go to in case of emergency. Make sure you have plenty of batteries on hand.

CB Radio
10-20, 10-4 and an occasional 10-100 may be a thing of the '70s, but the tried and true CB radio is still a good form of communication. Channel 9 is the nationwide emergency channel. Have another channel set aside for your own use.

Ham Radio
Like a CB radio on steroids, the Ham Radio can talk across the nation as well as around the world. They require much more in the way of money, skill and of course and FCC license.

Shofar
More ancient than a CB radio, the trusty shofar has been around since the sixth day of creation. Set up a series of shofar calls within your community as signals. Here are a few to begin with.
One long blast - Follow the shofar sound and come together
Series of high then low short calls - Meet at predetermined place
Series of quick blasts of the same note - Danger, do not approach

Bells and Whistles
As with a shofar, be creative in non-verbal communication.

Hand Signals
Search the Web for standard signals, or make up your own.

Flags and Such
Having a red flag hanging on the front door or on a tree can mean danger inside. A white flag can mean it is safe.
Certain lights on or outside furniture placement can be used as signals. Use some imagination, but remember to K.I.S.S.

ONE WAY COMMUNICATION

AM/FM/SW Radio
There is nothing like the sound of a friendly human voice when things are out of control. News from another town or even another state may not only be informative, but a great comfort. Know which stations to tune to. Get to know the weather and shortwave frequencies you will need. Remember the batteries!

TV
The family TV may and may not be a good form of communication. Will you be able to pick up local channels? You never know till you are there. Will cable and satellite work? Will let you know when the movie comes out. Remember, these need electricity to work!

Scanners
Emergency scanners can help you to keep track of what is happening in your area as you monitor police and fire radio. Check with Radio Shack as to what will work best in your area.

	COMMUNICATION
Communication with each other as well as the outside world is essential to preserving mental health. It also serves to bring people together in community. Remember: even the Lone Ranger had Tonto and Batman had Robin. Loners die in survival situations. God desires for us to work together, not separate. FIRST THOUGHTS Have a reliable contact person or persons out of your area for all members of the family to check in with in the case of a disaster. Make sure children and elderly know their name, address and phone numbers. Place info on a protective card and place in their shoe, under the sole. Have phones programmed with emergency numbers such as police and fire. Do not rely on 911 lines, as they may be jammed. TWO WAY COMMUNICATION Landline Phones Even if the electricity is out, the phones may be working. Have at least one line that does not require an electrical plug. Cell Phones Cell phones may and may not work in a disaster. Make sure all relevant phone numbers are programmed in. Use ICE as a main contact number if you are not able to use your phone. Personal Radios Have a set frequency for all members of your family or community to go to in case of emergency. Make sure you have plenty of batteries on hand. CB Radio 10-20, 10-4 and an occasional 10-100 may be a thing of the '70s, but the tried and true CB radio is still a good form of communication. Channel 9 is the nationwide emergency channel. Have another channel set aside for your own use. Ham Radio Like a CB radio on steroids, the Ham Radio can talk across the nation as well as around the world. They require much more in the way of money, skill and of course and FCC license. Shofar More ancient than a CB radio, the trusty shofar has been around since the sixth day of creation. Set up a series of shofar calls within your community as signals. Here are a few to begin with. One long blast - Follow the shofar sound and come together Series of high then low short calls - Meet at predetermined place Series of quick blasts of the same note - Danger, do not approach Bells and Whistles As with a shofar, be creative in non-verbal communication. Hand Signals Search the Web for standard signals, or make up your own. Flags and Such Having a red flag hanging on the front door or on a tree can mean danger inside. A white flag can mean it is safe. Certain lights on or outside furniture placement can be used as signals. Use some imagination, but remember to K.I.S.S. ONE WAY COMMUNICATION AM/FM/SW Radio There is nothing like the sound of a friendly human voice when things are out of control. News from another town or even another state may not only be informative, but a great comfort. Know which stations to tune to. Get to know the weather and shortwave frequencies you will need. Remember the batteries! TV The family TV may and may not be a good form of communication. Will you be able to pick up local channels? You never know till you are there. Will cable and satellite work? Will let you know when the movie comes out. Remember, these need electricity to work! Scanners Emergency scanners can help you to keep track of what is happening in your area as you monitor police and fire radio. Check with Radio Shack as to what will work best in your area.