that does help to understand your questions.

do folks have CBs like we did back 40 years ago?

what about FRS/GMRS two way radios? they sell for as little as $10, with "long range" units for under $50. they're simple, easy to use and available everywhere. at those prices you can almost hand them out to folks you're worrying about.

and from info on this page, if there's an open repeater nearby, you get much greater range: Extra Long Range GRMS Radios

folks around here all seem to have 'em for hunting, mushrooming, firewood gathering, snowmobiling/ATVing and moving cattle, but it's rare to see CBs anymore.