Communication is relatively easy, and we do it daily without even thinking about it. However, during emergency situations, it’s extra important and is often not practiced properly when it’s needed the most. 

Emotions can get the best of us, especially during an emergency. However, it’s important to remain as calm as possible to think clearly and communicate properly. To help you stay prepared for these situations, this practical guide emphasizes the importance of communication during emergencies.

Key Takeaways 

• Communication during emergencies is crucial because your ability to relay important information to the relevant people, like rescue services, determines the situation’s outcome.

• Keep all communication clear, concise and accurate when talking to emergency services. 

• Be prepared by charging all devices, storing essential numbers and documents, and making sure all members of the plan know what to do.

Why Is Communication in Emergency Situations Essential?

We use communication in our everyday interactions without putting much thought into it. Communication during an emergency directly affects the event’s outcome, so you must keep your communication clear and relevant. 

Most likely, you, your family, and others will depend on your ability to relay important information to the relevant people, such as rescue services. Communicating during an emergency is more than just speaking. You have to manage your tone, language, and information depending on who you talk to. 

We all have complex emotions. During emergencies, we panic when we need to stay calm and rational, especially if our family is in trouble. An emergency communication plan can be the big difference between a successful or failed outcome. 

A good emergency communication plan should include contact information for different emergency services like police, the fire department, and search and rescue. It’s also a good idea to include contact information for other family members and friends who live out of town. 

Your plan can also include instructions on what to do, who to call, and how to call. We suggest you ensure all family members, including your younger children and elderly parents, know how to text and make calls. Practicing beforehand can help keep everyone calmer. 

Having an emergency communication plan comes in handy for many different scenarios. For example, if there’s a fire in your home and someone is injured or trapped, you need to be able to call for help and relay the information correctly to the emergency services. 

Clearly communicating the where, when, how, and why of an emergency can help speed up how quickly you get help.   

Preparing for Communication During Emergency Situations 

Disaster can strike at any moment, so it’s in your best interest to be prepared. You have to build a bunker in your backyard. Even something as small as creating an emergency communication plan can be a big help. Here’s how you can prepare for effective communication during emergency situations. 

Charge All Devices If a Storm is Expected

Thanks to satellites and other scientific tools, we have a pretty good understanding of weather and how to predict it. However, this doesn’t make it any less dangerous when it turns violent. Storms and extreme weather like tornadoes and hurricanes can quickly become life-threatening scenarios that can halt services like power, networks and water. 

If there’s a major storm warning in your area, you need to fully charge all your devices in case the power goes out. Your devices’ battery lives are important if you need to call for emergency services. Invest in power banks to keep your phone working for longer.

Add an 'In Case of Emergency' Contact on Your Phone

Adding an “in case of emergency” contact on your phone is a great idea. Plus, it’s really quick and easy to do. 

It’s common to become overwhelmed during an emergency, which affects your ability to think clearly. An emergency contact helps alleviate some stress because you know who to call.

Additionally, emergency services can send your current location to your emergency contact, which is essential, especially for children.

Before you add your emergency contact, ensure they have all your medical and personal information so they can properly assist you.  

Store Essential Numbers & Documents 

When emergencies happen, they happen fast, and being prepared means storing all your essential numbers and documents in one place. This includes contact information for emergency services, family members, service providers, utilities like water and power, and medical providers. 

We suggest keeping all your important documents, like your insurance policies and documents with your Social Security number, in a secure and organized place. 

Keep them together in a safe spot that’s easily accessible to other family members by using a family operating system like Trustworthy. Trustworthy can store all your important documents, contact numbers and even your emergency communication plan.

Ensure All Members of the Plan Know How to Text 

When phone lines are down or there is no signal, a text may have more chance of going through instead of calls. 

All members who are part of the communication plan need to know who to text and how to send a text. This is especially important for older individuals and younger children. It’s a good idea to practice several times until everyone knows what to do.  

Tips for Communication During Emergency Situations

How you communicate during an emergency determines how successful the outcome will be. To help, we put together some tips that might be helpful. 

Call Emergency Services for Emergencies 

The first thing you should do is call emergency services. Dial 911 in the U.S. They will know how best to help you. Each country has its own version of 911 that you must call.

Ensure Your Communication Is Clear, Accurate and Concise

Emergencies cause feelings of panic and anxiety, which can affect how well you communicate. It’s important to stay calm when communicating your situation to emergency services. 

Take a deep breath and keep your communication as clear, accurate and concise as possible. Avoid talking about information that’s irrelevant to the current situation. As tempting as it may be, don’t talk too quickly, as this is when miscommunication can happen. 

Respond Quickly to Messages Received

If you receive messages that could contain important information about the emergency situation, respond quickly to them. These messages may ask for information on where to find you, send you details on where you can find help, or explain what to do as you wait for emergency services to arrive. 

Limit Non-Essential Calling

Limit your phone to non-essential calling to conserve the battery. This means only emergency services, family members, or emergency contacts can phone you. Doing this is especially important if you do not have access to a charger and are awaiting emergency assistance.

Turn on Battery Saver Mode

If you’re trapped and waiting for help, your cell phone may be the only thing keeping you connected.

Turn on battery saver mode if you can’t access power for charging. You need your cell phone to communicate with emergency services. Battery saver mode can drastically increase the life of your battery by limiting background apps, lowering screen brightness and only allowing emergency calls. 

If phones are not an option during an emergency, Kylene Jones from Provident Preppers recommends another option:

“AM/FM Radios are still a great way to gather information in a crisis and may work even when television and internet services have been interrupted. Emergency solar-powered, hand crank, and battery-powered radios are all good options.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the keys to effective communication during an emergency?

The key to effective communication during an emergency is to speak clearly, which means not speaking too quickly. Keep all information relevant and accurate at all times. This helps emergency services gather as much information from you as possible. 

Which communication is the best mode during an emergency?

Cell phones are the best mode of communication during an emergency because most people will have theirs on them. They can call, email, text, and be tracked for an exact GPS location. 

What is the most common emergency communication mistake?

The most common communication mistake is a lack of clarity. Some people will talk too low, too loud, or too fast, making it difficult for people to understand them properly.