Let’s say your area just got hit with a sizable disaster, maybe a tornado, earthquake, or something of that magnitude.
Let’s also assume you had followed all the advice found in “Disaster Prep 101” and you’re safe and sound.
The first thing you’d be doing is checking on neighbors and loved ones in your area to make sure they were safe.
Simultaneously though, your friends and loved ones in other areas are wondering how you are and may start calling to check. If they call, they’ll start to tie up phone lines in your area (if your phone system is up) that local emergency services will need, and if they get through, they’ll tie up your time which is one of your more critical assets in any emergency situation.
The thing you want to do is set up some sort of automatic notification so your family knows you’re safe and so that you won’t be bogged down fielding calls. Try these steps:
1. If you have internet service, post a message to all your social media accounts stating that you’re safe and well. Facebook and Twitter are the most popular, but don’t forget others such as MySpace, and also post a quick note to any forums or professional online groups you’re a part of. Hint: Write only one message and copy and paste it into these different sites.
2. Facebook is working on a new feature that will let you “Mark Yourself as Safe After a Disaster.” More on that is at http://techland.time.com/2012/02/29/new-facebook-feature-lets-you-mark-yourself-as-safe-after-major-disaster/
3. The Red Cross has a page where you can post this info as well. It’s part of their “Safe and Well” program at https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php
4. Update your voice mail greeting on any phone(s) you have to let callers know the date and that you’re fine.
5. Or, contact your “Notify In Case of Emergency” contact and let them know that you may be forwarding calls to them so that they can field the inquiries, or (if you set up your contact person right to start with) tell them to start calling your list of family members you provided them to let everyone know you’re okay.
6. Local emergency management may set up a notification website of their own. Do a quick search, and post your safe-and-sound message their too.