How will you keep your family safe if cell phone and Internet services fail and you can’t reach 911 or emergency services?
Since 2007, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) has released estimates of the percentages of adults and children living in homes with only wireless telephones (also known as cellular telephones, cell phones, or mobile phones). These estimates are the most up-to-date estimates available concerning the size and characteristics of this population. Estimates are based on the first six months of 2021. During this time period, 68.0% of adults and 79.1% of children lived in wireless-only households.
While so many depend entirely upon cell phones to stay in touch with friends, families, and emergency services and given the billions of dollars that support these networks, what happens when the cellular network fails and all you get is a fast busy signal?
The last few years have seen a dramatic rise in the frequency and intensity of storms, fires, and power shutdowns across the United States – events that disrupt vital communications services and place lives at risk.
And while Virginia might seem immune to severe storms and natural disasters, we know that it is not. Between 1953 and 2019, Virginia declared 67 major disasters, of which severe storms and hurricanes happened the most, according to FEMA. Yes, Virginia is home to severe storms, tropical storms, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, winter storms, extreme heat and drought, and even landslides and earthquakes. Just ask the thousands of people that lost power during Winter Storm Freda in January 2022.
How will you keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe in a disaster when landline, cell phone, and Internet service fails?
The R3EMCOMM Radio Network offers a solution…
Radio For The Rest of Us
For years, Amateur Radio Operators (a.k.a. “Hams”), have used radios when normal communications fail. Radio communication also aids first responders during disasters. However, it’s become increasingly critical for the rest of us… our families, friends, and community, to also have access to reliable communications when cell phone and Internet services fail.
Getting a Ham Radio license requires passing a test beyond the interests of most. But there are radio alternatives that citizens can use without passing a test.
Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Emergency Communications (R3EMCOMM) helps civic groups, churches, homeowners associations, and public officials establish their own Radio Network program to stay safer during emergencies. Working with community leaders, we help citizens just like you learn how to use simple, affordable, GMRS radios to communicate when the power is off and cell phone and Internet service are disabled.
Links to R3EMCOMM Radio Network Resources
The R3EMCOMM Radio Network Can Help With
- Free talks on the vulnerability of our public cellular and Internet communications systems
- Free Workshops
- How To Use Two-way Radios
- How To Use Police and Fire Scanners
- Understanding Fire Behavior
- The Incident Command System
- How to Become a Ham Radio Operator
- Advice on the best radios to buy for you and your family
- Advice on setting up a radio repeater to extend neighborhood radio coverage
- Assistance in setting up community “Safety Nets,” “Storm-Watch Nets” and “Check-in Nets”
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R3EMCOMM is a “not-for-profit,” all-volunteer community service organization. Members are not reimbursed for their membership or for services provided to the community. All of the community radio equipment we furnish is provided at or below our out-of-pocket cost, and our general support services are offered free of charge. Radio acquisition, programming, and training workshops are provided by our members free of charge. Unpaid volunteer assistance may be available if you or your neighbors need help installing their equipment at home. Donations to R3EMCOMM to sustain our efforts are gratefully accepted but are not required nor expected.
The R3EMCOMM Radio Network is NOT a replacement for Emergency Services such as Police, Fire, the Sheriff’s Office, or 911. Programs like the R3EMCOMM Radio Network are intended as a backup communication solution when traditional means of communication are inoperable or when “all else fails.”