You have thought about your means of obtaining and disseminating information haven't you? Big Props to LANCO Tactical for hosting HAM Radio Classes, HAM is one of the better tools that should be in your Communications toolkit.

As I teach in the Emergency Communications class, Listening is twice as important as speaking, Do you have a scanner, even the old analog scanner with out the P25 Trunking that most counties use is useful for listening what's going on. Solar/ shortwave emergency radio are essential equipment as well, listen live over long distances. The internet connected scanners are fine as long as connectivity exists, but can also be censored, so use with caution.

Talking. everyone knows about FRS and GMRS, easy to buy relatively cheep very susceptible to childish pranks, jamming and intercept. A little security through obscurity MURS has 5 channels of license free transmission on the 2M band, one of the favorite HAM bands in the state, good for "tactical" or "local communications". CB Radios, operate in the 11M band, also license free, very close to the HAM 10M band, with a good antenna, this is good for regional communications (Cobra Radios are available at many Walmarts for $35 or local Truck stops with higher end eqpt). Unfortunately the window is temporarily closed for HAM as all the Central PA (aka Eastern PA ARRL) have suspended testing, but you can still study for your test at HAMTESTonline.com once you get your license, you'll need to upgrade to General for the ability to use the HF frequencies giving global communications on a $1000 radio. While Baofengs are popular and cheep, are you willing to risk your life on them? They make great back-up radios but are not durable or legal for some uses people want them for (Like FRS).

Batteries and solar are needed to run and recharge this gear, a $20 solar charger from Harbor Freight, and two $20 tractor batteries from TSC/ Walmart will last you thorough many months of emergency communications activity.

Be smart learn comms before things get really bad. Renumber It's part of the shoot, move, communicate triangle for a reason, it's also key in just about every aspect of life. If you have any questions or comments, please post them here, I am part of the AUXCOM/ EMCOMM community for almost 10 years now and have practiced setting up field communications infrastructure on a regular basis (you could call it my unpaid job).