Week 2: Information and Communication

This week's task:  Add a battery-operated radio to your disaster supplies.

Once you get your emergency radio (or if you already have one), leave a comment on this blog post to enter to win the January prize (a 10-pack of light sticks)!*

After an earthquake or major storm, the power could be out for days.  Infrastructure could be damaged, water quality could be an issue, and large-scale fires could be a danger.  It will be important to stay informed.  Each household should have a battery-operated radio in its disaster supply kit.

Basic Radios:

The Kaito Pocket AM/FM radio and the Sony Pocket AM/FM Radio are inexpensive, battery-operated AM/FM radios that get great reviews (around $10 each).   If you are on a limited budget and you live in California where you don't need to be warned of hurricanes and tornadoes, these work great.

Fancy Emergency Radios:

If you want to invest a little more, three good emergency radios are the Eton FR160b (about $30), the American Red Cross FRX3 (about $60) and the Eton ARCPT300W (about $60).  I got the Eton ARCPT300W for Christmas.  The other two get great reviews on Amazon.  What you get with these radios:

• NOAA weather stations (critical if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, less critical in California, although apparently we are subject to occasional megafloods): The NOAA weather stations continuously broadcast weather information and alerts for your area.
• Severe weather alerts (FRX3 and  ARCPT300W only):  The radio can automatically broadcast emergency weather alerts for your area even when it is not on.
• Multiple power source options: These radios have an internal rechargeable battery that can be charged with a hand crank, a solar panel (FRX3 and FR160b only), or by plugging in to a USB AC adapter (the adapter itself is not included).  The ARCPT300W can also take AAA batteries. 
• Integrated LED flashlight (not super bright, but okay)
• Ability to charge a cell phone from the radio's internal rechargeable battery (I tried to charge an iPhone with the ARCPT300W and it worked pretty poorly, so I don't know how much weight to put on this feature).

The main advantages of the two more expensive models over the less expensive FR160b are the severe weather alert feature, ergonomics (the crank is easier to use), better speaker quality (the sound quality on my ARCPT300W is very good), and the ability of the ARCPT300W to take regular (AAA) batteries.

Other communication/information issues to consider:

• Use your smartphone (if it's still working...)
• Follow the Red Cross on Twitter to get up-to-date information during a disaster
• Get an NOAA weather radio app for your iThing or Android device.
• Download the Red Cross Earthquake app 
• After a disaster, search for a shelter by texting SHELTER + your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).  For example, if you live in Albany, send a text to 43362 that says SHELTER 94706.
• Sign up to receive automated messages from your community's emergency alert system. Check your city's website for more information.  For the locals:
• City of Berkeley Emergency Notice System
• University of California, Berkeley alert system 
• Landline phones will often still work when the power is out as long as you have a phone that doesn't require electricity (cordless phone systems won't work because the base needs electricity). You can get an inexpensive corded phone here.
• Consider getting your Ham radio license.  Hams can join local clubs that provide communication assistance in emergencies.  

*The prize drawing is open to past and present members of the Berkeley Ward.