Group text / phone message apps or services

[EBuff75]

How about this?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DumgHz56IjI

I was not familiar with this at all and am just learning about it now so I can't answer questions you might have, but it sounds like it might be the perfect answer to your problem.

More:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwTy_-Y-A5o

That's interesting (to me), but way too technical for what we're looking at.  We're not worried about how to communicate if the grid goes down, just a simple way to do normal communications for the group. If the grid goes down and we aren't able to send texts or make calls, nobody is going to show up to help out anyway as they'll all be focused on their own families and immediate neighbors anyway.

Our group is extremely non-technical / non-gearhead.  If I were to mention an 18650 battery, I would guess that less than half of them would even know what that is (seriously, we have people who use use old Krypton bulb, D-cell flashlights and think that they're just fine).  To give some perspective on how bad it can be - a few years ago when we did an outdoor training exercise on a cold, rainy day in a swampy area, we had people show up in loafers and sweatshirts because they don't have rain gear or decent boots... We've talked about putting together a list of minimum requirements for clothing and gear, but we're afraid that half the group might leave if we did something like that. 

I've been passing along some of the communication suggestions to our CERT commander and my next step is to try to push us to create an official communications plan (I'm planning to write up something before our next meeting in 2 weeks as a draft).  I'm a documentation sort of guy (go figure - I'm a project manager for a software company) and the fact that we don't have this sort of stuff already, stored in an online file storage area with personnel lists, SOPs, maps, forms, etc. for the group to use is quite annoying.  Just setting up a folder in Google Drive would take care of this! 

*grumble, growl* *climbs down from soapbox*

[Moab]

How about this?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DumgHz56IjI

I was not familiar with this at all and am just learning about it now so I can't answer questions you might have, but it sounds like it might be the perfect answer to your problem.

More:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwTy_-Y-A5o

That's interesting (to me), but way too technical for what we're looking at.  We're not worried about how to communicate if the grid goes down, just a simple way to do normal communications for the group. If the grid goes down and we aren't able to send texts or make calls, nobody is going to show up to help out anyway as they'll all be focused on their own families and immediate neighbors anyway.

Our group is extremely non-technical / non-gearhead.  If I were to mention an 18650 battery, I would guess that less than half of them would even know what that is (seriously, we have people who use use old Krypton bulb, D-cell flashlights and think that they're just fine).  To give some perspective on how bad it can be - a few years ago when we did an outdoor training exercise on a cold, rainy day in a swampy area, we had people show up in loafers and sweatshirts because they don't have rain gear or decent boots... We've talked about putting together a list of minimum requirements for clothing and gear, but we're afraid that half the group might leave if we did something like that. 

I've been passing along some of the communication suggestions to our CERT commander and my next step is to try to push us to create an official communications plan (I'm planning to write up something before our next meeting in 2 weeks as a draft).  I'm a documentation sort of guy (go figure - I'm a project manager for a software company) and the fact that we don't have this sort of stuff already, stored in an online file storage area with personnel lists, SOPs, maps, forms, etc. for the group to use is quite annoying.  Just setting up a folder in Google Drive would take care of this! 

*grumble, growl* *climbs down from soapbox*

How many people in your group?

Have u considered a questioniere (i cant spell that word right now) asking what type of phone and/or computer they use.

Maybe a simple phone tree is the answer. Remember those from back in the day? Say you have 4 squads. One guy calls the leader of each squad. And they convey that message to their respective squad members. And let each squad leader decide which type of comm is best for their group ie text, phone call, email or whatever.


I wonder if u can search the wayback machine for comm tactics from 1999? Lol.

[Moab]

Heres a list of text blast apps for android. If u had one android phone u could send texts to your entire group. Regardless of what kind of phone each person had.

https://www.makeuseof.com/android-apps-sms-bulk/

[NT2C]

That's interesting (to me), but way too technical for what we're looking at.  We're not worried about how to communicate if the grid goes down, just a simple way to do normal communications for the group. If the grid goes down and we aren't able to send texts or make calls, nobody is going to show up to help out anyway as they'll all be focused on their own families and immediate neighbors anyway.

Our group is extremely non-technical / non-gearhead.  If I were to mention an 18650 battery, I would guess that less than half of them would even know what that is (seriously, we have people who use use old Krypton bulb, D-cell flashlights and think that they're just fine).  To give some perspective on how bad it can be - a few years ago when we did an outdoor training exercise on a cold, rainy day in a swampy area, we had people show up in loafers and sweatshirts because they don't have rain gear or decent boots... We've talked about putting together a list of minimum requirements for clothing and gear, but we're afraid that half the group might leave if we did something like that. 

I've been passing along some of the communication suggestions to our CERT commander and my next step is to try to push us to create an official communications plan (I'm planning to write up something before our next meeting in 2 weeks as a draft).  I'm a documentation sort of guy (go figure - I'm a project manager for a software company) and the fact that we don't have this sort of stuff already, stored in an online file storage area with personnel lists, SOPs, maps, forms, etc. for the group to use is quite annoying.  Just setting up a folder in Google Drive would take care of this! 

*grumble, growl* *climbs down from soapbox*

My thoughts on this was that you or some other person with the technical skills needed, assemble kits of these that include one in a proper case, a charger, QR code to get the phone app, etc. so that you can just issue a kit to each of the members at a short training session showing how it works and making sure everyone os setup. While this could serve as disaster comms, in your application it works similar to giving everyone a walkie-talkie.  At home, their kit can sit on top of the fridge or on a shelf, plugged into a USB phone charger, ready to take with them if needed.

While this might be a challenge for the least technical folks in your group, anyone who uses a smartphone should have the tech skills to use this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY6m6fS8bxU

[EBuff75]

That's interesting (to me), but way too technical for what we're looking at.  We're not worried about how to communicate if the grid goes down, just a simple way to do normal communications for the group. If the grid goes down and we aren't able to send texts or make calls, nobody is going to show up to help out anyway as they'll all be focused on their own families and immediate neighbors anyway.

Our group is extremely non-technical / non-gearhead.  If I were to mention an 18650 battery, I would guess that less than half of them would even know what that is (seriously, we have people who use use old Krypton bulb, D-cell flashlights and think that they're just fine).  To give some perspective on how bad it can be - a few years ago when we did an outdoor training exercise on a cold, rainy day in a swampy area, we had people show up in loafers and sweatshirts because they don't have rain gear or decent boots... We've talked about putting together a list of minimum requirements for clothing and gear, but we're afraid that half the group might leave if we did something like that. 

I've been passing along some of the communication suggestions to our CERT commander and my next step is to try to push us to create an official communications plan (I'm planning to write up something before our next meeting in 2 weeks as a draft).  I'm a documentation sort of guy (go figure - I'm a project manager for a software company) and the fact that we don't have this sort of stuff already, stored in an online file storage area with personnel lists, SOPs, maps, forms, etc. for the group to use is quite annoying.  Just setting up a folder in Google Drive would take care of this! 

*grumble, growl* *climbs down from soapbox*

My thoughts on this was that you or some other person with the technical skills needed, assemble kits of these that include one in a proper case, a charger, QR code to get the phone app, etc. so that you can just issue a kit to each of the members at a short training session showing how it works and making sure everyone os setup. While this could serve as disaster comms, in your application it works similar to giving everyone a walkie-talkie.  At home, their kit can sit on top of the fridge or on a shelf, plugged into a USB phone charger, ready to take with them if needed.

While this might be a challenge for the least technical folks in your group, anyone who uses a smartphone should have the tech skills to use this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY6m6fS8bxU

But part of the issue is that not everyone in our group has a smartphone or computer.  I'm not even 100% sure that everyone has a cell phone!  Right now we just use a combination of Facebook (which a little over half of the group uses) and email (which I think most of the group has).  Both of those depend on the individual going out and checking, which not everyone does on a regular basis.

If we had a call-out right now, the CERT commander would likely use those same Facebook / email options, but might also start calling people individually if there was enough urgency that he couldn't rely on people going out there to check the normal communication channels. 

This is really intended for messages like "Don't forget we have a CERT meeting this Wednesday at 7pm" or "Reminder to sign up for CPR/AED training by tomorrow" or maybe something like "CERT ACTIVATION: Lost child, Hines Park, meet at Jaycees Hall by 2:30pm for search assignment; dress appropriately for 8-10hr deployment".  Text messages, with the possibility of a voice recording as well, both of which could easily be distributed to a prepared list of recipients would be ideal.

[Crosscut]

Might be a long shot, but when your township police and fire dept switched to the statewide P25 public safety radio system they did maintain their old analog FM licenses with the FCC, and they might still maintain the repeater system they used to use.  The licenses I found are:

WNRH687  -  Police repeater pair on 460.125 MHz and 465.125
WPKN902  -  Fire repeater pair 154.205 and 156.03
KK9851 - 155.865

Look up their license details here: wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

Maybe one would allow you the use of their old frequencies (and repeater, if still active) for official CERT communications?  I'd bet their old handhelds are just collecting dust on a shelf somewhere too, but if they aren't willing to loan some to your team then there are some moderately priced part 90 approved radios available.   If they're at least partially receptive to the idea, then proposing something like the old two tone paging system so the CERT commander can send activation or announcement messages to team members' radios would be typical public safety usage model that the fire dept at least will be familiar since they were probably using that same system 30 years ago.

Alternately, or as a fall back plan if they shoot the idea down, maybe they'd at least be willing to put in a good word for your team with their FCC license preparation company, Business Radio Licensing out of Laguna Niguel, CA, for a discounted rate or just to look over your own FCC application form for completeness/accuracy so it will get approved if you submitted one.  Helping out CERT volunteers is certainly a worthy cause. 

[EBuff75]

Might be a long shot, but when your township police and fire dept switched to the statewide P25 public safety radio system they did maintain their old analog FM licenses with the FCC, and they might still maintain the repeater system they used to use.  The licenses I found are:

WNRH687  -  Police repeater pair on 460.125 MHz and 465.125
WPKN902  -  Fire repeater pair 154.205 and 156.03
KK9851 - 155.865

Look up their license details here: wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

Maybe one would allow you the use of their old frequencies (and repeater, if still active) for official CERT communications?  I'd bet their old handhelds are just collecting dust on a shelf somewhere too, but if they aren't willing to loan some to your team then there are some moderately priced part 90 approved radios available.   If they're at least partially receptive to the idea, then proposing something like the old two tone paging system so the CERT commander can send activation or announcement messages to team members' radios would be typical public safety usage model that the fire dept at least will be familiar since they were probably using that same system 30 years ago.

Alternately, or as a fall back plan if they shoot the idea down, maybe they'd at least be willing to put in a good word for your team with their FCC license preparation company, Business Radio Licensing out of Laguna Niguel, CA, for a discounted rate or just to look over your own FCC application form for completeness/accuracy so it will get approved if you submitted one.  Helping out CERT volunteers is certainly a worthy cause.

Actually, we already have their old frequencies and radios for our CERT to use (they even reprogrammed the radios to show "CERT" for the frequencies and added our local weather channel for good measure).  One of the frequencies just functions as a sort of walkie-talkie frequency and doesn't have much better range than FRS does.  The other does use their tower/repeater, so that's the one we generally use.  Dispatch can monitor either one if they choose, but they don't bother to unless we're actually deployed. 

However, the police were still quite protective of the radios (which are worth quite a bit of money, even if they are outdated) and as such, we had to agree to keep them secured.  As such, they're locked up with the rest of our equipment until we sign them out for use during a deployment (and I mean that we personally sign out a specific radio and then return it and sign it back in when we're done).  They also use huge charging banks (20-25 radios each) and don't have individual chargers that go with them, which would make for a significant expense to acquire. 

[Crosscut]

Might be a long shot, but when your township police and fire dept switched to the statewide P25 public safety radio system they did maintain their old analog FM licenses with the FCC, and they might still maintain the repeater system they used to use.  The licenses I found are:

WNRH687  -  Police repeater pair on 460.125 MHz and 465.125
WPKN902  -  Fire repeater pair 154.205 and 156.03
KK9851 - 155.865

Look up their license details here: wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

Maybe one would allow you the use of their old frequencies (and repeater, if still active) for official CERT communications?  I'd bet their old handhelds are just collecting dust on a shelf somewhere too, but if they aren't willing to loan some to your team then there are some moderately priced part 90 approved radios available.   If they're at least partially receptive to the idea, then proposing something like the old two tone paging system so the CERT commander can send activation or announcement messages to team members' radios would be typical public safety usage model that the fire dept at least will be familiar since they were probably using that same system 30 years ago.

Alternately, or as a fall back plan if they shoot the idea down, maybe they'd at least be willing to put in a good word for your team with their FCC license preparation company, Business Radio Licensing out of Laguna Niguel, CA, for a discounted rate or just to look over your own FCC application form for completeness/accuracy so it will get approved if you submitted one.  Helping out CERT volunteers is certainly a worthy cause.

Actually, we already have their old frequencies and radios for our CERT to use (they even reprogrammed the radios to show "CERT" for the frequencies and added our local weather channel for good measure).  One of the frequencies just functions as a sort of walkie-talkie frequency and doesn't have much better range than FRS does.  The other does use their tower/repeater, so that's the one we generally use.  Dispatch can monitor either one if they choose, but they don't bother to unless we're actually deployed. 

However, the police were still quite protective of the radios (which are worth quite a bit of money, even if they are outdated) and as such, we had to agree to keep them secured.  As such, they're locked up with the rest of our equipment until we sign them out for use during a deployment (and I mean that we personally sign out a specific radio and then return it and sign it back in when we're done).  They also use huge charging banks (20-25 radios each) and don't have individual chargers that go with them, which would make for a significant expense to acquire.

Glad to hear that at least, I had family and still have friends that live in your township.  I didn't go to school there, but a "R. U. High" T-shirt was one of my favorites back in the 80's.   

Stating the obvious, but for initial activation and announcements only the commander would need to transmit if they had permission to do so.  The rest of the team could get by with a scanner or HT used strictly as a monitor, and call or text (by phone) to confirm receipt of the message. 

[Moab]

You need to poll everyone in your group and find out what they have.

[NT2C]

You need to poll everyone in your group and find out what they have.

And seriously consider weeding out some of the members whose ability level is negatively affecting the group's effectiveness.  When he can't even consider adopting some types of basic tech because it'll be too difficult for some members to handle, or because their antiquated personal equipment isn't capable of it then those members are more liabilities than assets.

[Moab]

You need to poll everyone in your group and find out what they have.

And seriously consider weeding out some of the members whose ability level is negatively affecting the group's effectiveness.  When he can't even consider adopting some types of basic tech because it'll be too difficult for some members to handle, or because their antiquated personal equipment isn't capable of it then those members are more liabilities than assets.

I have to kind of agree here. If tjey have email tjey have computers. If they have computers why not smart phones? If they can handle email tjey can handle a smart phone.

And as repeated a few times inthis thread. Only one person has to have a smart phone in order to text all the outdated flip phones.