In the wake of a season that included hurricanes, wildfires and an earthquake, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have teamed up to provide a set of tips to help consumers stay in touch before, during and after major disasters.

“The communications world has changed," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "Incorporating some of these best practices into regular activities will be helpful [in emergency situations]."

The tips from the two agencies include:

• Keep charged batteries and car-phone chargers available for back-up power for your cell phone.


• If you have a traditional landline (non-broadband or VOIP) phone, keep at least one non-cordless phone in your home because if it will work even if you lose power.


• Program “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) contacts into your cell phone so emergency personnel can contact those people for you if you are unable to use your phone.


• For non-emergency communications [during and after a disaster], use text messaging, e-mail, or social media instead of making voice calls on your cell phone to avoid tying up voice networks.

FCC Chairman Genachowski pointed out that texting and keeping voice calls short also helps keep the voice network free for 911 calls. "Any 911 call center will have a finite number of people answering the calls. During [major disasters], it's particularly important that we all help make sure that they can focus on the real emergency."

FCC & FEMA: How to Communicate Before, During & After a Major Disaster [FCC.gov]

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