It’s National Preparedness Month, but we know that inclement weather doesn’t just happen during hurricane and wildfire season. This time of year is a good reminder to make sure that we have a plan in place for when emergency strikes.
Planning for a Weather Emergency
There are plenty of steps you and your family can take today using your cellphone that can help you prepare for an emergency. You can start by making sure your important apps are up to date, including your favorite weather app or Red Cross Emergency. These apps can help you track weather and emergency response information. You can also sign up for FEMA disaster safety tips and alerts by texting PREPARE to 43362.
Have you ever received an Amber Alert or an emergency weather announcement on your phone? That’s called a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA). These alerts look like text messages but have their own unique sound and vibration, allowing public officials to send critical information in an emergency. They are completely free and don’t require a signup, but if you are not receiving WEAs, you can learn how to troubleshoot the issue on FEMA.
Most smartphones are equipped with emergency medical identification tools, commonly seen as Medical ID. This tool allows you to share key medical information like medications or allergies, and designate emergency contacts. In the event you’re unresponsive, emergency teams can easily access these details even when your phone is locked. Recent studies from the University of Rochester show that this feature was useful to patient care in 75% of cases where it was set up. Many wearable devices, including smart watches, will sync the information from your cellphone so it’s always readily available.
During a Weather Emergency
When you know there is severe weather on the way, here are some additional tips to prepare.
Start by knowing how to extend your cellphone’s battery life and making sure you have a spare portable charger on hand. Then, when not in use, turn off WiFi, Bluetooth, and location services in your settings. If you need to use your cellphone’s flashlight app, you can adjust the flashlight brightness. Lowering screen brightness, closing unused apps, and limiting voice calls for emergencies will also help make your battery last longer.
Wireless makes it easier to let our loved ones know we’re safe in a weather disaster, especially through the convenience of texting and sharing updates on social media. When you need to contact 9-1-1, be prepared with your location information and make sure you stay on the line until the operator tells you it’s safe to hang up. Even if your phone is locked, it can still be used to contact 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Technology Keeping Us Connected After the Storm
Cellphone providers are doing their part year-round to make sure our wireless networks can withstand the storms. New technology, like artificial intelligence (AI) and drones, helps make it easier for cellphone carriers and their emergency response teams to prepare and respond to severe weather. For example, a drone can take pictures before a storm and identify the damage afterwards. AI can help identify risks and the exact location of any damage. This innovation is helping make sure that our service remains as uninterrupted as possible, keeping us all safe and connected when it matters most.
National Preparedness Month is a good reminder to ensure we are better prepared for the unexpected. For more information on emergency preparedness, and additional resources, visit www.ready.gov.
