Using the communications inventory determine what existing equipment can be used to meet each group's needs. At this point consideration should be given to the kinds of disasters anticipated. If an unexpected event or a single location crisis occurs, chances are the public telephone network will not be congested, allowing normal communications to be used. However, if it is a regional disaster, communications that are not dependent on the public telephone network may need to be activated. Care should be taken in picking alternatives, recognizing that no single solution will be completely free of vulnerabilities.
Many businesses plan to use radios.
It is important to identify how many people will be using each frequency. Also, radio transmission is a slower way of communicating information, so the volume of information to be passed should be closely evaluated. Consider using fax machines or e-mail to transmit damage information instead of conveying everything via voice. If cellular phones are to be used, be aware that cellular calls are are on a separate network only when completing cellular to cellular calls within the immediate area. As soon as cellular phones are used to call to normal telephones, they are transitting the public telephone network, which may be congested due to overloaded conditions.