Section contents
Official emergency communications
BK emergency communications
- Reason for using BK emergency communications
- What means of communication is most appropriate to me?
Official emergency communication
You'll need to be aware of what is happening in an emergency.
Listen to the radio for information updates. If the electricity is off and you do not have a battery-powered radio, use your car radio. But never run your car for an extended period of time in an open or closed garage!
You must be able to receive news and important information from government authorities. The official, nationwide channel for life-threatening emergency information in the UK is the Emergency Alerts system, which sends direct, siren-like notifications to mobile phones based on location. Other official channels include 999/112 (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard), BBC Local Radio, and official government social media/websites.
Always trust information from official gov.uk sites or emergency service channels.
BK Emergency communications
We have already experienced breakdown in communication here in Europe when there was a total blackout in a large area in Spain in 2025. Looking to the future, will any failure of physical facilities be sudden and total or will it start off by being partial i.e. no power so just internet and phones don't work?
If you were suddenly in a situation where there was no power and you weren't allowed out of your places of residence, wouldn’t you want to talk to each other? Wouldn’t you want to check how everyone else around you was, if they knew what was going on, and how long the situation was likely to last? It may be useful for finding out what is happening, coordinating disaster relief and obtaining supplies. There could be situations arising where we could offer practical help to each other if, say, a medic is required or some urgent supplies.
How do we serve those are in a distressed or confused state?
Reasons for Using BK Emergency Communications
- Urgent messages to stay put or leave and how to do so quickly and safely
- Getting help in same building or nearby
- Coordination of building activities
- Checking everyone is OK nearby
- Mutual support (spiritual or practical) in coping with possible extreme external conditions
- Moral boost: not feeling cut-off and in the dark
- Service and support of other radio users (there are definitely people thinking about keeping a radio for emergency situations these days)
- Service and support of general local community via our communications network
- Supporting emergency services and relief efforts
- Relaying messages between near and/or distant locations
What Means of Communication is Most Appropriate to Me?
There are several communication options available. Which you personally wish to use is dependent on a number of factors:
- Do you wish your conversation to be private or open?
- How far away is the person you wish to communicate with?
- Is it a single person or is it a group you wish to communicate with?
- Is it the spoken word or written word?
- Are you working on the assumption that power is available or not available?
- What budget are you working to?
The Emergency Comms Project was established in 2018 between some key players in India, Europe and the US to ensure that communications continued for the BK family as much as possible when conventional systems were beginning to fail. The approach is to start simple and build up levels based on complexity, range and cost to ultimately connect cities, countries and continents.
The following information will help you decide the most appropriate means of communication for you or your Centre.
Level 1: Walkie-talkies with a limited range of 1-3 km (depends on terrain and obstacles)
Level 2: CB radio with a range of 5-20 miles
Level 3: HAM radio for medium distance links e.g. GCH to GRC and Leicester
Level 4: HAM radio for longer distance to other countries e.g. London to Madhuban.
Level 5: Meshcore
For more detailed information about: Communication Options. Click on the following link: docs.google.com/document/d/1uLi4DCQ-4nxSU4PYeqUANoPeE2FXwmGj/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108493757608847660095&rtpof=true&sd=true
In the event of a loss of communication perhaps resulting from a loss of electrical power, an internet/telephone network failure or imposed restrictions on communication and freedom of movement or assembly.
Further information
For more detail about communication either locally, area-wide or nationally or, if you would like to know more about the Emergency Radio Comms project or have any questions, please contact the UK team at the following email address: radio-comms-uk-admin@bkconnect.net
For more detail for Main/Major Centres about national and international communication, contact the Emergency Comms Project in Madhuban. See also: International Emergency Communications on the following link: docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZKqqfakFC9Da8QFC2dRMGay0nizJ4bUb/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108493757608847660095&rtpof=true&sd=true
Or, for further information about the international project, please visit our team intranet: https://sites.google.com/bkconnect.net/radio-comms-uk