Emergency Communication When Cell Phones Don’t Work

BY MICAH REDMOND

At approximately 5:30 a.m. on November 8, 2018, Northern California’s most deadly wildfire “The Camp Fire,” ignited due to faulty electric transmission lines and gusty winds (25-35 mph). Residents from Paradise, CA, reported that the early emergency warning systems failed them. Thousands of critical cellphone messages were missed, delayed, or lost. During the first two weeks of the fire 66 cell phone towers were damaged or out of service, causing cell phones to go silent or calls to be dropped by surviving cell towers which quickly became overwhelmed with cellular traffic. Emergency alert notifications are amazing resources available through radio, television, phone, text, and email. In order to receive an emergency alert to your cell phone, you can register your device through the CodeRED emergency alert system (QR Codes provided below).

CodeRED Alerts

Sign up to receive text or email notifications of emergency situations or critical community alerts in Davis County. Available for residents and businesses, CodeRED is used to share information specific to missing persons, hazardous materials dangers, boil water advisories, evacuations, and much more.

CodeRED Mobile Alert App

Receive notifications directly to a mobile device whether at home, on the road, or traveling around the country. Push notifications deliver relevant, location-based alerts based on GPS location to ensure you receive critical information when you are in a CodeRED client’s jurisdiction

Syracuse City Notifications & Alerts

Syracuse City also utilizes a notification system to promote resident awareness regarding public safety, meetings, events, news, and more. To subscribe to an email or text message list, sign up using the Notify Me feature on the Syracuse City website.

The Emergency Alert Notification System is generally a reliable resource, however, when damage to cellular infrastructure or loss of power occurs these systems will also fail.

Here are some helpful tips for communicating with your cell phone if the Internet or another cell tower may still be functioning:

• To communicate with family during a disaster or high call volume incident, send a text message instead of calling since it uses less data.

• If Wi-fi is available, consider using Facebook Messenger, Google Chat, or other direct messaging apps.

• Create Emergency Contact “Chat groups” in email and text.

• Have an out-of-state contact (not in the disaster region) that can keep those in the disaster region informed of your condition and needs.

• Have an external power bank to keep your cell phone charged.

Amateur (HAM) Radio

When cellular, internet, and power infrastructure fails, having a personal backup communication system to receive and transmit emergency information will be helpful. In Davis County and Syracuse City, we have a large community of Amateur (HAM) Radio operators that can communicate within the disaster region and potentially throughout the world (based on radio equipment). The main reason why so many people love Amateur radio is because it is the most powerful and longest-range radio service available to the general public, once a license is obtained. When all other communications fail, Amateur Radio continues to work because it isn’t reliant on the power grid or other infrastructure.

To learn more about Amateur Radio licensure follow the QR Code below:

Lots of fun programs to join!