Family Emergency Communication Plans

Start Planning Today

Did you know that less than 40% of American families have an emergency communication plan? Being prepared for a disaster doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. In fact, you can get started for free, with just a little planning and some things you may already have around the house. Read on to find out how!

Start the Conversation

An emergency communication plan helps you stay in contact with your family members –even when traditional lines of communication like cell phones and e-mail go down. The best way to get started is to hold a family meeting, where everyone can discuss the best ways stay in touch during a natural disaster or other emergency.

Topics for Safety

At the meeting, you should talk about what kinds of emergencies could affect your community, and discuss what each family member should do in each situation. It is often best to have someone that lives outside of town as primary point of contact, because they will not be affected by the same emergencies. Also, remember that texting can be easier than making calls during and after a disaster.

Resources for You

If you need help making a plan, don’t worry. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a website full of valuable resources to help you at www.Ready.gov.

FEMA also has guides for creating your very own Family Communication Plans, for both parents and kids. Print the templates and fill them out at your family meeting! You can find them both at: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/34330