Overview
With the “I Am Safe” Messages toolkit, messages can be sent from a disaster area where internet and phone communications are unavailable. It uses the Winlink Global Radio Email network and new forms to transmit the messages. This program was developed by the Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs, the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service, the Tacoma Radio Club, Radio Relay International and the American Radio Relay League of America.
In the event of a disaster, when all communications are down….
Neighbors want to contact loved ones out of the affected area to let them know they are okay…
- Not everyone has established an out-of-area contact
- Even when out-of-area contact exists, messages sent by text or email may not get out of the affected area.
- Having a low stress system in place will be important
Seattle is a large urban area with many people unprepared for an all-communications-down event
- Shelters may not be established for days/weeks in a major earthquake event
- Internet & phones will be constrained for communications – first responders will have priority.
- As of August 2023, the Red Cross “Safe And Well” website normally used for Welfare Messages is inactive and temporary replacement is manually supported.
- Alternate Welfare Message applications; Facebook, Google, will also be internet constrained in disaster zone.
Traditional ham radio has been improved to be “email over radio frequencies” and can now be utilized as an improvement to existing National Traffic ham radio systems.
- Communities and ham radio operators can send these messages on their own without agency guidance.
- Radio operators must have access to the right equipment and software.
- Enables self reliance within communities
How-To Information
- Quick Start Guide
- Detailed Standard Operating Procedure for all steps
- Job Description for Intake Table and Digitizer position
- Signage for community intake table
- Message intake form