Family Emergency Plan

WHEN TO USE THISDo this now, together. In a disaster your family may be at work, school or away.

Pick an out-of-area contact
- A friend or relative far away — another state is best.
- Everyone checks in with them.
- Memorize the number — don't just save it.
Why
In a local disaster, local lines jam, but long-distance calls and texts often get through. One person far away becomes the family's switchboard.
Set three meeting points
- Near home — something you can see from the house: the mailbox, the big oak.
- In the neighborhood — walking distance: a school, library or church.
- Out of the area — in case the whole neighborhood has to leave.
- Be exact: "the Target parking lot on Main St," not "Target." (See Choose Meeting Points.)
Carry it on paper
- A card for everyone: the out-of-area contact, meeting points, every family cell number, school and work numbers and addresses, medical info, insurance numbers.
- In plastic or laminated.
- One in the wallet, one in each go-bag.
Why
A dead phone takes every saved number with it.
Practice it
- Twice a year.
- Text first — it gets through when calls don't. Make sure everyone can text, grandparents too.
- Call the out-of-area contact as a test.
- Walk to the near-home point with the kids.
- New phone, school or job? Update it.

Sources: FEMA Family Emergency Communication Plan Template · American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness

General information to help in an emergency — not a substitute for training or professional care.

Pick an out-of-area contact