Prepare in a Year 26: Communications
When a disaster occurs, the first thing people want to do is find out what happened, get a sense of what will happen, and make sure the people they care about are okay. This month we focus on communication.
The Goal
The goal is to make sure you have communication devices, apps, and plans in place.
The Strategy
Sign up for Bainbridge Island emergency alerts. Text 98110 to 888777.
Download the following emergency apps to your phone:
MyShake (for earthquakes)
Watch Duty (for wildfire)
Keep phone-charging devices at home and in your vehicles.
Know where your nearest Disaster Hub is. This is where you will go to get information updates from the City.
Create a communications plan:
Identify an out-of-state contact to call in an emergency to give a status update. Friends and family can call that person to find out how you are.
Make a hard-copy and digital emergency contact list (local, state, and regional) for all household members.
Identify contingency contacts for all dependents in case you are away and unavailable to care for them.
Recommendations
If your phone has satellite capabilities, you can use it even when cell service is down. If you don’t have that feature, consider investing in a satellite phone or satellite text-only device.
Prizes
Have you finished the March task? Submit proof of your accomplishment and enter to win a prize.
Level Up
Was this task a breeze? Take it to the next level—Advanced or Pro. Read more here.
Team Player
Don’t go it alone. Work with other family members or neighbors to prepare. For this category, invest in some handheld radio devices (like walkie-talkies). That way you and a neighbor can work together to relay the latest injury and damage updates from your neighborhood to the Communications Team at your nearest Disaster Hub.
Learn More
Emergency Preparedness: Communications
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
6 PM–7 PM
Bainbridge Public Library
Preparedness is the cornerstone of community resilience. Are you ready? Disaster can come in many forms, and preparing yourself, your family, and your community is one of the most important things you can do. Bainbridge Prepares, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, and the City of Bainbridge Island collaborate to bring us a monthly series that will cover a variety of topics including: water, sanitation, hygiene, food, communications, and more.
Please register for a free ticket, available two weeks before the event.
Bainbridge Amateur Radio Club (BARC)
Interested in ham radio? Reach out to BARC and sign up.
BEARS
Interested in amateur radio? Reach out to our Bainbridge Emergency Auxiliary Radio Service team (BEARS) if you’d like to volunteer.
