When Cell Phones Go Out

This picture was taken March 13, 2011 after the earthquake in Japan.

Most of the cellphone towers toppled after the 9.0 magnitude earthquake in Japan.  The few towers that were still in operation were quickly overwhelmed.

My heart goes out to those who have been affected by this great tragedy.  

It's only a matter of time before a major event happens on our turf.  What can we learn from the events in Japan?

You must have a communication plan.

a) - I believe it is best to have a plan that includes an in-state and out-of-state contact.  

b) - All family members should have the phone #'s, email addresses, text message #'s etc of the emergency contacts.  As soon as possible, make contact with your emergency contacts and let them know your location and your well-being.  Give them as much information as possible.

c) - If you cannot contact them via your cellphone, try text messaging.  A lot of times a text message can make it through the congestion.

d) - Schedule a time that you will get back in contact. 

e) - Try Twitter!  A lot of people in Japan are using Twitter to get in contact with loved ones.

f) - Are there any pay phones close to where you live or work?  It used to be that pay phones were on every corner.  That's not the case anymore.  Here is a cool website that I found to help locate a pay phone near you. http://www.payphone-project.com/numbers/usamap.html

g) - What about Ham Radio for local and long distance communications?  http://www.arrl.org/emergency-communications