Disasters can take numerous forms: from hurricanes crashing through coastal communities to wildfires blazing across the West, to tornadoes creating a path of destruction through the Midwest, to a whiteout blizzard, knocking out power for miles (and possibly for days). And when disaster strikes, the first hours are critical. Having reliable disaster recovery tips and tools can make all the difference. Sometimes between life and death.
For first responders, recovery begins long before the storm (or smoke) clears. Their ability to communicate, coordinate, and then mobilize where and when they’re needed most often determines how well the community contains chaos and speeds toward safety.
Today, our first responders are being tested more than ever before. In the U.S. alone, weather and climate disasters are leading to numerous events that cost more than $1 billion in damage each. These types of large, expensive disasters have also surged from an average of 3 per year in the early 1980s to 19 events over the last decade. And between 2023 and 2024, the U.S. shattered records with 28 and 27 billion-dollar disasters.
It’s not just in the U.S. Globally, weather-related disasters have increased in number nearly fivefold over the last 50 years. Fueled, at least in part, by more extreme conditions combined with communities expanding into more hazard-prone areas.
As environmental disasters of all types become more frequent, intense, and widespread, effective communication is becoming increasingly important. In fact, they’re key to every strong, effective recovery plan. That’s where FirstNet®, built with AT&T, comes in. As the nation’s only communications network designed specifically with first responders in mind, it delivers the communications these teams need. That includes priority access, deployable assets, and mission-ready reliability. So, when disaster inevitably hits, the lines of communication for first responders stay open.
Disaster Recovery: It Starts with Connection
Without a clear, reliable connection, any disaster response is bound to suffer. When power lines inevitably go down or cell towers fail, the ability of responders and agencies to communicate is vital. It not only determines how quickly the community can recover but is often a literal lifeline. It’s essential for responders to be able to share updates, request backups, coordinate rescues, and provide cohesive support.
Yet during a major crisis, commercial networks are often overloaded. After all, residents are also trying to reach loved ones or receive emergency alerts. All of this activity can flood the system.
FirstNet is designed specifically for first responders and public safety personnel to provide a dedicated network with priority and preemption. That way, emergency crews can connect—even when others can’t.
The advanced infrastructure includes hundreds of deployable assets—from satellite-equipped trucks to portable cell sites. They can be mobilized within hours to restore service in areas severely impacted by the event.
The reliability of the system allows command centers to stay operational, field teams to share real-time data, and communities to begin rebuilding sooner. In short, FirstNet lays the foundation for effective communication during recovery—ultimately leading to faster and safer rescue or restoration.
Regional Disaster Recovery Tips and How FirstNet Helps
No two disasters are the same. The challenges faced by first responders are equally diverse. You wouldn’t expect the necessary response to be the same during a hurricane as a raging wildfire or a mountain blizzard. Naturally, each region and team needs its own approach when facing a disaster. One requirement, though, remains consistent: dependable communication.
Coastal and Southern U.S.: Hurricanes and Flooding
Hurricane season can stretch for months in coastal and southern regions. Some years, they may only experience increased winds from tropical storms. Others may experience destructive winds, storm surges, and widespread flooding. Who can forget Katrina and Harvey?
When it comes to disaster recovery tips, what’s most important is preparation. First instance, evacuation routes must be identified, backup generators secured, and up-to-date communication plans solidified. It can’t wait until after a major storm hits when reliable, high-speed connectivity is essential for emergency managers to coordinate rescue boats, issue evacuation alerts, and monitor changing weather data.
How FirstNet Helps: Once hurricanes make landfall, traditional networks often fail. FirstNet comes to the rescue with satellite-equipped Cells on Light Trucks (aka SatCOLTS) and Flying Cells on Wings (COWS) to re-establish service. FirstNet assets, for example, were the first to arrive during hurricanes Ian and Idalia, ensuring connectivity for emergency operations.
Western States: Wildfires and Earthquakes
Battling unpredictable timing and rugged terrain, responders to both wildfires and earthquakes face unique challenges that can cripple standard networks. When every second counts, proactive communication plans, established evacuation zones, and ongoing drills can help ensure teams know how to respond.
One of the most important disaster recovery tips is to maintain a defensible space around structures, so that every agency—from firefighters to medics—can communicate effectively in the field.
How FirstNet Helps: The FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) deploys mobile cell sites to fire lines and remote disaster areas. This ensures crews have uninterrupted voice, data, and mapping access. For example, FirstNet’s push-to-talk capabilities enabled faster coordination among fire and law enforcement agencies during California’s recent wildfires. Evacuation orders and status updates were able to reach every responder—even if they were in canyons or mountains where commercial networks faltered.
Midwest and Great Plains: Tornadoes and Severe Storms
The central U.S. faces some of the most volatile weather. Tornadoes can level entire communities in minutes, leaving widespread communication blackouts.
Another key disaster recovery tip: focus on establishing rapid communication networks to support search and rescue teams and assess damage ASAP.
How FirstNet Helps: Compact Rapid Deployables (CRDs) can be stationed with local agencies for immediate activation, restoring connectivity even when power and fiber lines are down. So, first responders, emergency agencies, and public utilities can work together from a shared network in those first crucial hours after the storm.
Northern and Mountain Regions: Blizzards and Power Outages
Snow, ice, and chilling sub-zero temperatures can halt entire regions for days or even weeks. If roads become impassible or power grids fail, isolation can become deadly. Communication is, in short, a literal lifeline.
Ensuring warming shelters are equipped with backup power and emergency teams have connectivity when towers are down is a critical disaster recovery tip.
How FirstNet Helps: With LTE and satellite backup, FirstNet keeps hospitals, first responders, and utility crews connected—even during extended outages. This can bridge the gaps between stranded communities and emergency response centers, enabling faster responses even during the most severe whiteouts.
The FirstNet Fleet in Action: Building a Smarter Recovery Plan
While every disaster is indeed unique, one thing never changes: the need for reliable communication. FirstNet with AT&T maintains a nationwide fleet of more than 200 deployable assets for this purpose. From SalCOLTS to CRDs to flying cell sites, these mobile units are designed to be activated quickly and are provided at no additional cost to FirstNet Users. For first responders, these assets are more than a backup. They’re the backbone of a smarter recovery strategy.
At the end of the day, disaster recovery tips—including drills and redundant systems—only go so far. When the power’s out, the roads are blocked, and seconds matter most, FirstNet is there to keep the lines open and help responders protect lives, control chaos, and rebuild communities.