The following was taken from the Idaho ERC website and provides an overview of emergency communications guidelines and considerations during a disaster.
Church Emergency Communication Guidelines
Local emergency
response efforts, including emergency communications, are conducted
under the direction of local priesthood leaders. Some emergency
situations result in the normal means of communications (telephones and
cell phones) being unavailable. During such emergencies
local Church leaders need communications to determine the status of
members and missionaries and to report to regional and area Church
leaders concerning the welfare of members and to request assistance as
needed. Local Church leaders should know how and whom to contact during an emergency and what information to give and receive. They should ensure the availability of reliable methods of backup communication.
How these
matters are handled may vary in different countries and locations within
countries, and are usually determined by local welfare committees. Contact your Church leader or regional welfare specialist if you are uncertain about these matters.
Local Church leaders may call
emergency communications welfare specialists to serve in stakes, wards,
and branches to assist as needed.
Frequently asked questions:
Q: Why does our stake (ward) need emergency communications?
A: During a disaster local Church
leaders have the responsibility to account for the welfare of their
members and to report this information to their file leaders. Local
leaders also direct emergency response activities aimed at helping
members recover while preventing further damage and suffering. When
disasters occur there is an immediate demand for telephone and cell
phone service that generally overloads and shuts down these services. Also, the disaster may cause physical damage to the telephone and cell phone infrastructure that will prolong service outage. This failure of normal means of communication (wired and cellular telephones) is defined as a communications emergency. Emergency planning should include a means of reliable backup communication.
Q: Will cell phones work in emergencies?