Family Emergency Communication Plan
Create a Family Emergency Communications Plan that answers some basic questions about how family members will communicate with one another before, during and after an emergency. It starts with a few simple steps.
- Have a paper copy of important contact information for family members, family doctors, schools, service providers and other important people.
- Have several copies available to each and every family member. FEMA provides a fillable and printable PDF file to use as a guide.
- Decide on familiar places to retreat for safety or to reunite after an emergency.
• During wind events: choose a small, interior windowless room – such as a closet or bathroom – on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• Within the neighborhood (during a house fire or other single-residence event): choose a neighbor's home or driveway, or a nearby landmark.
• Outside the neighborhood: choose a place to reunite such as a library, community center, house of worship, or a family friend's home.
• Out of town: choose the home of a friend or relative in the event of evacuation. Discuss ways to get to the meeting location.
Other Important Tips for Communicating in Disasters
• Text is best – A text message may get through when a phone call will not, because it requires less bandwidth. Keep mobile phone conversations brief to minimize network congestion.
• Conserve phone batteries – Place phones in airplane mode, and close unneccessary applications. Limit watching videos and playing games, which saves batteries and reduces network congestion.
• Keep batteries charged – Car phone charges work in a pinch (remember to conserve gasoline too), and solar chargers are ideal for backup power.
• Text is best – A text message may get through when a phone call will not, because it requires less bandwidth. Keep mobile phone conversations brief to minimize network congestion.
• Conserve phone batteries – Place phones in airplane mode, and close unneccessary applications. Limit watching videos and playing games, which saves batteries and reduces network congestion.
• Keep batteries charged – Car phone charges work in a pinch (remember to conserve gasoline too), and solar chargers are ideal for backup power.