Preparing for Emergencies: Considerations for Building Resilient Communication Infrastructure

When disaster strikes, clear and reliable communication can mean the difference between confusion and control.

As the Atlantic hurricane season is now here, it's the time for organizations and households alike to take proactive steps toward emergency preparedness. One of the most critical elements in any emergency response strategy is a resilient communication infrastructure.

Start with a Vulnerability Assessment

Before designing a custom crisis communication plan (like PACE), it's essential to begin with a comprehensive vulnerability assessment. This process helps identify areas where your organization is most susceptible to disruption, whether due to physical, digital, or environmental threats.

Key steps include:

Cataloging and inventorying all voice and data communication technologies.
Prioritizing systems critical to emergency response.
Evaluating environmental risks (e.g., hurricanes, floods, wildfires).
Assessing the resilience of your infrastructure - are there redundancies or backup systems in place?

This approach helps ensure continuity by revealing potential weak points and enabling targeted improvements. Organizations that rely solely on a single communication method risk total disruption during an emergency.

Power is the Foundation of Communication

No matter how sophisticated your communication tools are, they’re ineffective without stable power. To maintain operational readiness during outages:

Install backup power solutions such as generators or Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS).
Consider renewable energy options, such as solar panels paired with battery backups, especially for critical systems or remote locations.

preparedness kit Don’t Forget the Basics: Disaster Supplies Kits

While digital tools like mobile alerts and emergency apps are valuable, nothing replaces the importance of a well-stocked physical disaster supplies kit, both at home and at work.

Whether preparing for hurricanes, power outages, or other natural disasters, FEMA recommends your kit include:

Water (1 gallon per person per day, for at least 3 days)

Non-perishable food (3-day supply minimum)

Prescription medications

Flashlights and extra batteries

First aid kit

Whistle (for signaling help)

Dust masks and plastic sheeting

Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and ties

Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio

Manual can opener

Local maps

Fully charged cell phone with backup battery

For businesses, kits may need to meet OSHA, FEMA, or industry-specific regulations. These kits can support staff and stabilize operations until external aid arrives.

Consider Satellite Communication

In large-scale disasters where cell towers and internet service go down, satellite phones can be a lifeline. Because they don’t rely on local infrastructure, they provide consistent connectivity when other systems fail - making them a smart addition to any emergency kit, especially for critical personnel.

Test and Update Your Plan Regularly

Emergency preparedness isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. Communication systems, personnel, and threat landscapes are always evolving, so your crisis communication strategy must evolve too. Regular testing and review are essential to ensure your plan performs under real-world conditions, not just on paper.

Conduct Routine Drills: Schedule quarterly drills or tabletop exercises to simulate various emergency scenarios. Include communication failures, power outages, and evacuation orders. Use these tests to evaluate response times, message clarity, and system reliability.

Audit Communication Tools: Regularly verify that all hardware (radios, mobile devices, satellite phones) and software (alert systems, apps, cloud platforms) are functional and up to date. Don’t assume tools will work just because they did last year.

Evaluate Backup Power Systems: Test backup generators and UPS systems under load conditions to ensure they can support critical infrastructure. Include fuel checks, battery replacements, and inspection of solar or alternative systems.

Document Lessons Learned: After each test or real incident, conduct a short debrief. Identify what worked well and where improvements are needed. Then revise your plan accordingly.

By treating your crisis communication plan as a living document - something you refine through practice - you’ll dramatically improve your organization’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively.

Your Trusted Voice

Deciding on the right plan of action can seem challenging. At Network Innovations, the team is readily available to guide you through the process, offering complete solutions to suit each stage of PACE.