Page 23 - CCPS Monograph - Natural Hazards

APPENDIX B: EXAMPLE CONTENTS OF A NATURAL HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN,
continued

10. Communication systems and protocols. Communications before, during, and after an emergency
or disaster are essential. Planning your communication strategy is a key ingredient in ensuring its
reliability and effectiveness. An Emergency Response Coordination Center should be established as
the communication center for managing the natural disaster response. To function effectively, it must
have the ability to gather and disseminate information. This facility or system should be located so
that it is not directly impacted by the disaster itself. It should be able to communicate in all available
modes—land line telephone, Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS), cell
phones, satellite telephones, e-mails, CB radios, etc. Since it will function as the hub of most
communications, it should have an up to date list of contacts, telephone numbers and e-mails.

All communications modes should be tested including these communication protocols in table top
exercises and drills. This also gives the agencies the opportunity to understand the NHERP plan.

Conventional communication equipment (e.g. land lines, cell phones) may not work during a natural
disaster. Have a plan should communications fail. Consider backup systems such as the following.

 The United States Government Emergency Telecommunications Service supports federal, state,
local, and tribal government, industry, and non- governmental organization personnel in
performing their National Security and Emergency Preparedness missions. GETS provides
emergency access and priority processing in the local and long-distance segments of the Public
Switched Telephone Network when regular telephone service is congested. (DHS)
 A NOAA Weather radio, with a battery backup can provide warning tones and information in
emergency command centers.
 Increase the chance of connecting with a cell telephone service by subscribing to several
different providers.
 Purchase or rent satellite telephones and a base station. Satellite phones are more complicated
to operate than cell phones so train several people in their use. They also require a relatively
unobstructed path to the satellite. Plan on using them outdoors or connected to a remote
antenna.
 Internet communication systems: Computer, cell phones, and smart devices may continue to
work if the wireless service and the site equipment is not compromised. Having an “emergency
use computer” not routed through your company’s firewall and spam filters, which may hinder
or completely block use during an emergency, may be an option.
 Citizen Band (CB) Radios: CB’s, or shortwave radio, have long been recognized and used as
emergency use communication devices. Have a CB base station and an appropriate number of
portable units in the emergency command center. CB operators must be licensed and may need
training on the equipment. There may be licensed CB operators already working at the facility
who would volunteer to staff the equipment in an emergency.
 Two Way Radios: These will generally allow you to communicate with staff at the plant during the
emergency although they may not reach outside the facility. Make sure that your emergency
command center has the ability to use it (perhaps add a second base station in the command
post) and that extra radios are available. Keep a stock of charged batteries available and put the
battery chargers on your emergency power supply.

Assessment of and planning for natural hazards 20

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