Emergency Communication Guidelines

During a disaster, normal means of communication may become inoperable; however, the need to communicate with Church leaders, missionaries, members, employees, civil authorities, and others is greatly increased.

The Church’s objective in establishing emergency communication is to ensure that critical information can be received and conveyed. Church leaders, members, and civic authorities rely on these crucial messages and communication channels before, during, and after a disaster.

This includes:

The transfer of information and instructions from area, mission, and stake leaders to ward leaders, missionaries, and members.
Reports on the status of missionaries, Church members, and properties.
Plans for responding to needs among Church members and the community.
Coordination of relief efforts with civil authorities and other relief agencies.

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disaster warning and situational awareness graph

Emergency Communication Specialists

Stake presidents may call a Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist to manage emergency communications. Under the direction of the Area Presidency, an Area Seventy may also call specialists at the area or coordinating council level. When managing emergency communications, specialists should not replace presiding ecclesiastical leaders or act outside of their direction.
A Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist is called by and reports to the Stake Presidency.
- Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialists are called by and report to the Area Seventy (under the direction of the Area Presidency) and coordinate closely with the Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Managers (AWSRM’s).
- Local Welfare and Self-Reliance Managers (WSRM’s) are informed of the calling of new Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialists. AWSRM’s are informed of the calling of new Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialists.
- Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialists communicate as needed with both the coordinating council and the AWSRM in their assigned area. Additionally, these specialists coordinate with the WSRM as needed.
Note: The Church Headquarters Emergency Response team can assist AWSRM’s by answering questions or providing guidance or training.
An emergency communication specialist’s role is to enhance a leader’s ability to communicate prior to a disaster and during disaster response. The specialist should be familiar with various communication options (see “Communication Methods” section).
The role of a Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist assigned to manage emergency communications is to enhance a leader’s ability to communicate prior to a disaster and during disaster response. The specialist should be familiar with various communication options (see “Communication Methods” section). A Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist has the following responsibilities with regards to emergency communications:

Functions under the direction of a priesthood leader to ensure that he can communicate with Church leaders within the stake or ward and with local civil authorities.
Recommends backup mode(s) of communication that will work most effectively.
Helps develop the emergency communications part of the stake emergency preparedness and response plan.
Maintains an understanding of the emergency communication plans of their local community/government.
Plans to serve at the side of the priesthood leaders to ensure effective communications during a disaster.

An Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist has the following responsibilities with regards to emergency communications:

Functions under the direction of the Area Seventy to ensure that he can communicate with Church leaders within the area or coordinating council and with local civil authorities.
Coordinates the use of backup mode(s) of communication that will work most effectively.
Helps develop the emergency communications part of the area emergency preparedness and response plan.
Maintains an understanding of the emergency communication plans of the area’s local regions/government.
Plans to serve at the side of the Area Seventy to ensure effective communications during a disaster.

Communication Equipment

Communication equipment has been positioned at Church headquarters, some welfare facilities, and area offices. These tools aid in the Church’s overall response to a disaster. Assigned personnel at these locations are responsible for the maintenance, testing, and operation of such equipment.
Local member-owned communication equipment can also be an effective resource for local units. Local emergency communication specialists are encouraged to identify individuals with communications equipment and technical capabilities who can support local leaders with communication during a disaster.

Note: Additional information about communication equipment can be found in the Meetinghouse Facilities Handbook “Other Information Related to Meetinghouse Facilities”

Amateur Radio Networks (“Nets”)

Church headquarters conducts centrally organized amateur radio networks known as “nets” to ensure equipment is functioning and to train personnel. Nets may also be organized at the local unit level under the direction of priesthood leaders.
Amateur radio should be seen as one of several options with which local emergency communication specialists should be familiar (see the “Communication Methods” section).

Additional Resources

General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2020), 22.9.1.3, 22.9.4

Communication Methods

Telephone and internet services are often disrupted after a large or regional disaster. Leaders and members should be prepared to communicate using alternate methods that are available locally. However, experience has shown that 80 percent of the communications infrastructure is often working again within 72 hours, even after major events. (In some cases, it may take weeks before power and communications systems are restored.)

Method	Benefits	Considerations	Common Use Cases
Method Cell phone	Benefits Used widely	Considerations Relies on cell coverage; not tied to a particular address or location; recommended to have portable phone chargers on hand in case of power outages (this technology is tenuous and fragile in a major disaster)	Common Use Cases One-on-one communication
Method Landline phone	Benefits Tied to a physical address	Considerations Requires the recipient to be in a physical location to receive or make a call (may not be available if interconnecting wiring is damaged)	Common Use Cases Both one-on-one communication and conference calls
Method SMS/Text messaging	Benefits Often available even if voice lines are overwhelmed	Considerations Communicates a small amount of information; recommended to have portable phone chargers on hand in case of power outages	Common Use Cases Field communications
Method Internet communications (email, social media, Skype, web conferencing)	Benefits Versatile and resilient	Considerations Requires sender and recipient to have an internet connection and software (only as resilient as the internet infrastructure)	Common Use Cases Mass coordination of relief efforts
Method Satellite phone	Benefits Works when cell phones are down	Considerations Effective in areas where the satellite signal is good and the system is not overloaded	Common Use Cases Used for incoming and outgoing calls
Method Amateur (HAM) radio	Benefits Very resilient, even in the worst circumstances	Considerations Requires a license	Common Use Cases Reliable for communication going into and out of affected areas