Verizon Wireless periodically sends out press releases with information so banal, you have to wonder why it wastes the time and effort. The information it shares today -- about how best to use your cell phone after an earthquake -- is actually pretty useful.According to Verizon Wireless, tomorrow (October 15) is the Great California ShakeOut, which is to be held across southern California. The idea is for people, families and businesses to prepare or practice what they'll do in the event of an earthquake.

One key tool in any emergency is communication. Communication is something that cell phones are pretty adept at these days. Here's what Verizon Wireless suggests you do -- or at least keep in mind -- if an earthquake strikes near where you work or live.

• Know how to use call forwarding at home or business. If you have to evacuate, forward your home/work phone calls to your cell phone.
• Conserve battery power and free-up wireless networks for emergency response agencies by limiting non-emergency calls.
• Keep a car-charger in your vehicle in case you must evacuate. This is key in the event that electricity is unavailable for hours or days.
• Save emergency phone numbers in your cell phone for one-touch dialing.
• Store back-up batteries for electronic devices, including your cell phone. Obviously this isn't possible with all devices, but if your devices can accept spare batteries, it's recommended that you keep some handy.
• Consider using text messages to communicate. Absolutely. During the great power outage of August 2003, the only way I was able to communicate with friends and family was via text message, the cell networks were completely overloaded.
• Understand your cell phone's capabilities: email, weather updates and news reports are all tools that can help after a disaster. In other words, make sure you've at least tested some of the data features and know where to find information when you need it.
• Small business owners can help employees stay connected to the Internet, email and company databases with high-speed data services for laptops.

In all, a pretty good list. From my perspective, employers should map out plans and make sure their employees know what to do if an earthquake strikes the workplace.