Family Emergency Plan
A comprehensive guide to establishing a communication strategy for families to use during natural disasters. This plan is designed to ensure that family members can stay in touch and remain informed about each other's safety and whereabouts during a crisis.
Step 1: Gather Information
Collect contact information for all family members, including phone numbers, email addresses, and social media accounts. Additionally, gather contact details for local emergency services, hospitals, and shelters.
Step 2: Identify Locations
Determine a safe, accessible meeting place outside of your home for family members to convene in case of an immediate emergency. Also, choose a secondary location outside of your neighborhood, in case the surrounding area is not safe.
Step 3: Choose Contacts
Select an out-of-town contact whom all family members can call or message to check in. This person can help keep track of everyone's status and relay messages among separated family members.
Step 4: Share Information
Make sure each family member has a copy of the contact information and understands how to reach the out-of-town contact and where the meeting locations are.
Step 5: Practice Plan
Conduct practice drills to ensure every family member knows what to do and where to go during different types of emergencies. Rehearse the communication plan and meet-up procedures.
Step 6: Maintain Plan
Review and update the emergency communication plan annually or whenever there are significant changes in family circumstances, contact information, or local emergency resources.
General Notes
Accessibility
Ensure that the emergency plan accounts for any special needs or disabilities that family members may have, to guarantee everyone's safety and ability to communicate.