Week 8:  Emergency Tech Preparedness

Things discussed in class and in chat:

• Burn Institute will change and test smoke detectors for free if you are over 62 and the home owner. Click here for the application.

• Red Cross will also do the same.  Click here to apply.

• Free office program:  Libre Office (https://www.libreoffice.org/)

• Vial of Life:  Fill out information ahead of time and put on refrigerator.  Contains important information to assist medical personnel in case of emergency.

• Preparing for Wildfires:  Cal Fire maintains a website to help plan for fires, as well as what to do if you are in a wildfire.  Here is the main site to learn more. https://readyforwildfire.org/   You can start by planning ahead. Here,  you can set up a checklist online to help you plan (https://plan.readyforwildfire.org/en) . 

• Physicians Order for Life Sustaining Treatment - POLST is a form that clearly states what kinds of medical treatment patients want toward the end of their lives, giving seriously ill patients more control over their care. POLST also helps you talk with your healthcare team and your loved ones about your choices. In this way, POLST can help reduce patient and family suffering, and make sure that your wishes are known and honored. Here is the information on this.

Question in chat:  My Android emergency info asks for my address. Do I really want my exact address in there in the event my phone gets stolen overseas? Someone could rob me.

Answer:  (from ChatGPT) You're absolutely right to think about security risks when filling out emergency info on your Android device. If your phone gets lost or stolen, someone with access to your emergency info could potentially misuse that data.

Alternatives to Your Exact Address:

• Use a general location: Instead of your full address, you could enter just your city and state/country (e.g., San Diego, CA, USA).

• Use an emergency contact’s address: If a trusted friend or family member is your main emergency contact, you could list their address instead.

• Use a PO Box or work address: If you have a PO Box or an office address, that could be a safer option.

• Skip it altogether: If you don’t think having an address is crucial in an emergency, you can leave it blank. Emergency responders usually prioritize medical info over an address.

More information on disabling iMessage during an emergency:

Disabling iMessage forces your iPhone to send messages as SMS instead, which relies only on the cellular network and may be more reliable in low-signal areas. When you disable iMessage,  iPhone will default to sending messages as SMS (green bubbles) instead of iMessage (blue bubbles).( SMS uses the cellular network, whereas iMessage relies on an internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data).This means SMS can be more reliable in areas with weak or no data connection, but you still need a basic cellular signal (it won’t work if you have no signal at all).

Key Considerations:

• Low Signal Areas: If you have poor cellular data but a strong cellular signal, SMS might be more reliable than iMessage. If you have no cellular signal at all, neither SMS nor iMessage will work.

•  Wi-Fi Dependence: If you have Wi-Fi but no cellular signal, iMessage will work, but SMS won’t send at all.

•  Message Delivery Issues: If your recipient is an Android user or has iMessage disabled, your iPhone already sends messages as SMS.

• If the recipient is using iMessage and you disable it, your messages will switch to SMS, which can incur carrier fees if you're on a limited texting plan.

When Disabling iMessage Might Be Useful:

• When traveling abroad without a data plan (to avoid international data charges).

• In low-data or spotty network areas, where SMS might be more reliable.

• If you’re switching to an Android phone and want to avoid missing messages.

Technology has become an essential part of our daily lives, and during emergencies, it can be a crucial lifeline. Emergency tech preparedness means having the knowledge, tools, and plans in place to use technology effectively when unexpected situations arise.

For older adults, emergency tech preparedness carries special significance. As we age, we may face unique challenges during emergencies, including health vulnerabilities, mobility limitations, or being geographically distant from family members who could provide immediate assistance. Technology can help bridge these gaps, providing vital connections to emergency services, loved ones, and critical information when it matters most.

Emergency situations come in many forms - from natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or winter storms to personal emergencies such as medical incidents, power outages, or being stranded while traveling. In these situations, knowing how to use your devices effectively can make a significant difference in your safety and comfort.

Today, we'll focus on practical, straightforward ways to prepare your technology for emergencies. This isn't about becoming a tech expert or purchasing expensive equipment. It's about understanding the devices you already have, making simple preparations, and practicing basic skills that can help you stay connected, informed, and safe when emergencies occur.

By the end of our session, you'll have a clearer understanding of:

• Which devices are most important during emergencies

• How to keep your devices powered when electricity isn't available

• Simple ways to reach help and stay connected with loved ones

• How to access reliable emergency information

• Steps to create your personal technology emergency plan

Note that this lesson contains lots of information.  The key to using it successfully is to be prepared.  If you have any of the devices mentioned, learn how to use them.  Preparation is the key!

Tips to Extend Battery Life During an Emergency

• Lower screen brightness – The screen is one of the biggest power drains on a smartphone.

• Enable power-saving mode (see demo below) – This reduces background activity and limits high-power functions.

• Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS when not needed to conserve battery.

• Close unused apps – Apps running in the background consume energy.

• Use airplane mode – If you don’t need to make calls but want to conserve battery, airplane mode can significantly reduce power usage.

• Charge only when necessary – Avoid constant recharging cycles to prolong battery efficiency.

In an emergency, communication networks may become overloaded, power may be limited, and traditional phone calls may not always go through. It’s crucial to have a plan in place for staying in touch with loved ones and receiving critical alerts. This section covers how to set up emergency contacts, use text messaging effectively, and explore emergency alert apps.

Setting Up Emergency Contacts on Smartphones

Designating emergency contacts ensures that first responders or trusted individuals can be reached quickly in case of an emergency. Smartphones have dedicated Emergency Contact features integrated with medical information.

Using Text Messaging When Calls Won’t Connect

During emergencies, voice calls may not go through due to network congestion. However, text messages (SMS) are more likely to succeed because they require less bandwidth.

Best Practices for Emergency Texting:

• Keep messages short and to the point.

• If cellular service is weak, try airplane mode for 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

• Use messaging apps that work over Wi-Fi if mobile service is unavailable (WhatsApp, Signal, Messenger).

• Group messages can help reach multiple family members at once.

Tip: If a message fails to send, don’t keep resending immediately—this adds to network congestion. Wait a few minutes and try again.

Recommended Places to Store Digital Documents:

Cloud Storage (accessible from anywhere):

• Google Drive (drive.google.com)

• iCloud Drive (Apple users)

• OneDrive (Microsoft users)

• Dropbox

Secure Note Apps (for easy access to small documents):

• Apple Notes (with password protection)

• Evernote

• Microsoft OneNote

Password Managers (for storing sensitive info securely):

• Bitwarden (free and secure)

• LastPass

• 1Password

Essential Documents to Store Digitally:

• Medical records, prescriptions, and insurance cards

•  Emergency contacts and family phone numbers

•  ID copies (driver’s license, passport)

•  Home/renters’ insurance policies

•  List of key passwords (or use a password manager)

Tip: Keep a printed backup of critical documents in a waterproof folder in case digital access is unavailable.