April 29th, 2025

Family Emergency Communication Plan & Home Drill Guide: Taking Action Before Crisis Strikes

Fabian is a professional writer with 15 years of experience who partners with Batten’s emergency preparedness experts to create practical guides on disaster readiness and family safety. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ryerson University.

When emergencies happen, families need a clear plan for finding each other and communicating when normal channels are unavailable. Creating a family emergency communication plan is one of the most important preparedness steps, yet many households put it off until it’s too late.

Recent FEMA surveys show that while most Americans believe having an emergency plan is important, only about 48% have created one. This disconnect leaves families vulnerable during the critical first minutes and hours of an emergency when quick, coordinated action matters most.

For example, in early 2023, a severe storm in Sacramento County snapped utility poles and power lines, causing power and communication outages to over 600,000 households, which in some cases lasted for several days. During this time, communicating with friends, family, and emergency services was near impossible, as even cell phone networks had become overloaded, slow, and, in many cases, totally unusable.

This single event illustrates just how important it is to have a good emergency communication plan in place. When someone needs help after a disaster, you need to know how to call for it.

Moreover, studies show that communication failures following natural disasters can have disastrous consequences, both for human life and economics.

At Batten Home Security, we’ve helped thousands of families prepare for the unexpected. We’ve consistently found that having a documented communication strategy, one that everyone understands and has practiced, dramatically improves a family’s ability to reunite safely and reduce panic during crisis situations.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating an effective family emergency communication plan and implementing regular drills that build confidence without creating anxiety. By the end, you’ll have practical tools to protect what matters most when unexpected emergencies arise.

Contents

Key Takeaways
What Is a Family Emergency Communication Plan?
How to Build a Family Emergency Communication Plan in 5 Steps
Family Emergency Communication Plan Templates and Resources
3 Specialized Considerations for Unique Family Situations
Integrating Your Communication Plan with Broader Preparedness
My Personal Experience With Making a Family Emergency Communication Plan
Conclusion: Preparedness Brings Peace of Mind
Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

Most families understand the importance of emergency communication but haven’t created a plan, leaving them vulnerable during crises.
A communication plan outlines how your family will connect and where to meet if traditional methods fail.
The plan should include updated contact info, medical needs, and roles for each family member, including kids and pets.
Choosing clear meeting points, such as at home, in the neighborhood, and out-of-town, helps family members reunite even when separated.
Using multiple communication methods like text, radios, and out-of-area contacts ensures connection when networks go down.
Regular drills help build muscle memory and reduce panic, especially for children and those with special needs.
Plans should be reviewed twice a year and stored in multiple formats—digital, printed, and portable—for full accessibility.

What Is a Family Emergency Communication Plan?

A family emergency communication plan is a documented strategy that outlines how household members will contact one another and reunite during various emergency scenarios. Unlike general emergency preparedness, which focuses on supplies and survival needs, a communication plan specifically addresses the coordination challenges that emerge when normal contact methods fail.

The plan typically includes:

Contact information for all family members
Designated meeting locations (both local and distant)
Alternative communication methods when phone networks are overwhelmed
Important medical information and emergency contacts
Specific roles and responsibilities for each family member

When working with families new to emergency planning, we often emphasize that communication plans aren’t just for extreme disasters. They provide crucial guidance during common emergencies like house fires, medical incidents, or severe weather events where family members might be separated and unable to use their usual methods of contact.

A well-designed communication plan adapts to your family’s specific needs and living situation. For urban apartment dwellers, evacuation routes and meeting points will differ significantly from those living in suburban neighborhoods. Similarly, families with young children need different communication strategies than households with teenagers or elderly relatives.

How to Build a Family Emergency Communication Plan in 5 Steps

In an emergency, every second counts, and confusion can spread quickly. Having a clear, well-practiced communication plan ensures that your family knows how to reconnect, where to go, and what to do if you’re separated during a crisis.

Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, or unexpected event, a solid plan can reduce stress and help keep everyone safe. Here’s how to create a reliable family emergency communication plan in just five practical steps.

1. Gather Vital Information: Building Your Communication Foundation

Before you can create a functioning emergency communication plan, you need to gather the essential information that will help your family stay connected during a crisis. This includes contact details, medical needs, and key support resources.

When stress is high and conditions are uncertain, even basic information can be easily forgotten. By organizing these details in advance, you reduce confusion and increase the likelihood that your family can reconnect quickly and safely.

Collect Household Contact Information

Begin by documenting reliable contact information for every member of your household. This should include:

Full name
Cell phone number
Work or school phone number
Email address
Social media handles (particularly useful for teens and adults)

Even if you’re familiar with this information now, emergencies often create mental blocks. Having it written down ensures it’s accessible when you need it most.

Identify Key Emergency Contacts

Your plan should also include people and organizations outside of your immediate household who may play a critical role during an emergency. These contacts can help with relaying messages, offering shelter, or stepping in to assist with dependents or pets. Important contacts to include:

Out-Of-Area Contact Person: Someone who lives in a different region and can serve as a reliable communication hub if local phone lines are down or overloaded
Nearby Relatives or Trusted Friends: Especially those who could assist with transportation or temporary shelter
Schools and Childcare Providers: Include both daytime and after-school programs, with clear instructions on pickup procedures
Medical Professionals and Specialists: List your family doctor, pediatrician, dentists, therapists, and other essential providers
Employers and Workplace Emergency Lines: Some workplaces have specific communication protocols during emergencies
Veterinarians and Pet Caregivers: If you have pets, include contact information for those who can help care for them if you’re unable to

All of these should be stored both digitally and in printed format to ensure availability in various scenarios.

Include Critical Medical Information

Medical needs are easy to overlook during planning, but they’re often the most urgent during an actual emergency. For each family member, clearly document:

Known allergies or sensitivities
Prescription medications and dosages
Chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy)
Blood type
Primary care provider and pharmacy information
Health insurance provider and policy number

This is especially important for children, elderly relatives, or anyone with complex health conditions. If you’re ever separated from a loved one during a crisis, having this information could help first responders provide accurate and timely care.

Prepare for Special Needs and Disabilities

If anyone in your household requires mobility aids, uses medical equipment, or depends on communication assistance, make sure those details are also part of your plan. Outline:

Necessary equipment and where it is stored
Backup power sources if applicable
Preferred methods of communication or assistance
Emergency contacts who are familiar with the person’s care requirements

The more specific and actionable your notes, the easier it will be for others to provide support if you’re unavailable.

Don’t Forget Pets

Pets are part of the family, and their care needs should be included in your communication plan. Record the following:

Veterinarian contact information
Vaccination records and medication schedules
Microchip numbers and ID tags
Local pet boarding options or emergency caregivers

Make sure carriers and pet supplies are easy to access, especially if you need to evacuate.

Make the Information Portable and Accessible

Once you’ve compiled all this information, it’s essential to store it in formats that are both secure and accessible. Here’s how:

Create printed emergency cards for each family member. These should include their name, emergency contacts, medical notes, and at least two meeting locations. For young children, laminate the cards and place them in backpacks or school folders.
Maintain a digital copy in a secure, cloud-based file or a trusted emergency preparedness app. Password-protect the file and share access with other adults in your household.
Keep copies in your emergency kits so they’re available if you need to evacuate quickly.

By taking time to gather this information upfront, you give your family the tools to stay organized and informed, no matter what the situation brings. This step forms the groundwork for every part of your communication plan that follows.

2. Choose Emergency Meeting Points: Where to Reunite When Separated

Knowing how to contact each other is important—but knowing where to meet when communication fails is just as critical. Designating specific, agreed-upon meeting points ensures your family can reunite quickly and safely, even if phone lines are down or cellular networks are overwhelmed.

A strong communication plan includes multiple meeting points suited to different scenarios. These should be familiar, accessible, and clearly communicated to all household members. In our experience working with families across diverse living situations, three types of meeting locations are typically needed.

Home Meeting Point

The home meeting point is your designated location for immediate evacuations from inside the house, such as during a fire, gas leak, or carbon monoxide alert. This location should be outside your home but still on your property.

Common examples include:

The mailbox
A large tree in the front yard
A driveway corner or visible fence post

When selecting your home meeting point, consider the following:

Is it visible from all major exits?
Is it far enough from the house to avoid falling debris, power lines, or gas leaks?
Is it safe and accessible in all weather conditions, including snow or ice?
Can everyone in your family reach it, including children or relatives with mobility challenges?

Walk through this spot with your entire household and practice going there as part of your emergency drills.

Neighborhood Meeting Point

This secondary location is used when your entire property is unsafe or inaccessible, but you’re still able to remain within your neighborhood. It should be close enough to walk to but far enough away to avoid immediate hazards.

Common neighborhood meeting points include:

Local parks or playgrounds
Public libraries or community centers
A trusted neighbor’s home
Churches or school parking lots

The best neighborhood meeting point is one that:

Is unlikely to change (avoid private businesses or places that might close)
Is familiar to all household members, including young children
Can be accessed without crossing major streets or highways
Remains open and accessible at most hours of the day

Be sure your children know how to get to this location from home and school. Practicing this route with them on foot is the best way to build familiarity and confidence.

Out-of-Neighborhood Meeting Point

In a large-scale event such as a wildfire, severe flood, or chemical spill, your entire neighborhood may need to be evacuated. In this case, your family should have a more distant meeting place that is still within reach.

Consider selecting:

A relative’s or friend’s home in another part of town
A hotel, restaurant, or public building along a known evacuation route
A shopping center or transit hub that remains open during emergencies

Many families also identify a relative’s home in a different city or province as a last-resort destination in the event of regional disasters. This location can serve both as a physical meeting place and as a remote communication hub where everyone agrees to check in.

Tips for Planning and Practicing

When choosing meeting points, it’s important to involve your entire household. The more involved each person is in the planning process, the more likely they are to remember the details when it matters most.

Here are a few helpful ways to reinforce your plan:

Walk or drive to each meeting point as a group and talk through what to do in various scenarios.
Create simple printed maps that show routes from common places like school, work, or daycare.
For younger children, use pictures or landmarks rather than street names.
For elderly family members or those with disabilities, test accessibility at each location to ensure it’s practical and safe.
Include these meeting points on your emergency contact cards so they’re always on hand.

Establishing these locations now gives everyone a clear, shared understanding of where to go when things become unpredictable. In an emergency, clarity saves time—and often, that time is critical.

3. Establish Communication Methods: How to Connect When Networks Fail

When a disaster strikes, traditional methods of staying in touch, such as phone calls, text messages, or internet-based apps, may not work as expected.

Cell networks can become overloaded, power outages can disable landlines, and internet connections often fail when infrastructure is disrupted. That’s why a strong family emergency communication plan must include multiple methods for staying connected.

This step focuses on creating a layered communication strategy, beginning with your primary method and extending to practical alternatives that can keep your family in touch when conditions are unpredictable.

Primary Communication Strategy: Text Messaging First

In most emergencies, text messaging should be your first option for reaching family members. Texts use less bandwidth than voice calls and are more likely to go through when networks are congested. In fact, during large-scale emergencies, voice calls often fail entirely while text messages are still delivered, even with delays.

To keep communication simple and fast, establish standard message templates in advance. These short phrases can be saved in your phone’s notes app or stored in a shared document for quick access during high-stress moments.

Common examples include:

“I am OK” to confirm safety
“At meeting spot 1” to confirm arrival
“Heading to spot 2” to indicate relocation

Families we’ve worked with have found these pre-set messages especially useful during drills when stress levels may be lower, but coordination is still a challenge.

Backup Communication Methods

When cell service is limited or unavailable, you’ll need alternatives to ensure your plan still works. Several options can help maintain connection in a variety of scenarios.

Social Media Safety Features

Some platforms, such as Facebook, offer built-in tools for emergency situations. Features like Facebook Safety Check allow users to mark themselves as safe during major disasters. These tools can be a fast and efficient way to share your status with multiple contacts at once.

Keep in mind:

Not all emergencies will trigger platform-wide alerts
These tools require an internet connection or mobile data access
Children should only use social media for emergency communication under supervision or after specific training

Two-Way Radios

Two-way radios, such as Family Radio Service (FRS) or General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) devices, provide direct communication over short distances. They are ideal for local coordination, especially if your household is within a few miles of one another.

Look for models with:

Long battery life or rechargeable packs
Built-in weather alerts
Multiple channels to reduce interference
Durable, water-resistant construction

These radios are widely used by families in rural and suburban settings who want a power-independent way to communicate during local emergencies.

Designated Landline Contacts

Traditional landline phones that do not rely on electricity or internet service can still function during power outages. If you know someone who has a wired landline (not VoIP), designate their number as an emergency contact. They can help relay messages if mobile networks go down.

Out-of-Area Contact Person

An out-of-area contact is someone who lives in another city or region and is unlikely to be affected by the same emergency as your family. During major disasters, long-distance calls often connect more reliably than local ones. Each family member should:

Know the full name and phone number of your out-of-area contact
Understand that this person serves as a central check-in point
Be able to relay their location and status when calling or texting this contact

Emergency Email and Cloud Tools

In some situations, email may still be operational even if phone services are not. Create a shared emergency email account that all adult family members can access. This can also serve as a backup location for storing your plan, important documents, and digital copies of your emergency contacts. Be sure the email:

Has a strong, secure password
Is accessible from both computers and mobile devices
Is regularly tested to ensure familiarity

Physical Message Locations

When all digital and verbal communication fails, physical message drops can provide a last-resort solution. Identify safe and protected locations where family members can leave written notes.

Examples include:

A waterproof container hidden near your neighborhood meeting point
A pre-designated mailbox, shed, or fence post on your property
A small message board placed inside a secure electrical box or behind a building

Be sure to walk through these locations with your household members and mark them on your printed family map or emergency contact cards.

Communication Plans for Children

Children need specific guidance on how to communicate during emergencies, tailored to their age and comfort level. A plan that works for an adult may be too complex for a child to remember or execute.

For elementary-aged children, teach them to:

Memorize one or two key phone numbers, including a parent and the out-of-area contact
Keep their emergency contact card in their backpack or pocket
Ask a trusted adult, such as a teacher, bus driver, or neighbor, for help using a phone if needed

For middle schoolers and older children, make sure they can:

Send simple emergency text messages
Understand how to use two-way radios, if included in your plan
Know when and how to post a check-in status on approved platforms if safe to do so

In all cases, practice is key. During family emergency drills, go beyond the physical actions. Actually send test text messages, make practice calls, and rehearse how to leave a message or check in with your designated out-of-area contact. These practice runs build confidence and help everyone respond calmly and correctly when the real situation arises.

4. Practice Regular Emergency Drills: Building Muscle Memory for Crisis Response

Writing a detailed emergency plan is a crucial first step, but without practice, even the best plans can fall apart under pressure. Stressful situations reduce memory recall and decision-making ability, especially for children. The only way to make your family’s plan second nature is through regular, realistic practice.

Emergency drills build muscle memory, helping each person understand their role and react quickly. Families that practice together are better equipped to stay calm and follow through when every second matters. For households new to emergency preparedness, start with simple drills and gradually introduce more complex scenarios.

Home Fire Drill

House fires move fast. Studies show that a home can be fully engulfed in flames in as little as three to five minutes. Practicing a fire drill gives your family the speed and confidence needed to evacuate safely.

Before the Drill

Test all smoke alarms to familiarize everyone with the sound
Identify two exit routes from every room, especially bedrooms
Choose a visible outdoor meeting point, such as the front mailbox or a tree
Review the “get low and go” technique to avoid smoke inhalation

During the Drill

Sound the smoke alarm using the test button
Practice checking doors for heat using the back of the hand
Exit using primary routes, without collecting belongings
Gather at the designated meeting spot and take headcount
Simulate calling 911 (without actually dialing)

Plan to run these drills at least twice per year. Include one nighttime drill, as many children sleep through alarms or become disoriented in the dark. Parents often discover hidden challenges during these nighttime tests, such as blocked exits or confusion in finding flashlights.

Severe Weather Drill

Depending on your region, drills for tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes may be more relevant than fire drills. These scenarios often require sheltering in place rather than evacuation.

Tornado Drill

Trigger a simulated weather alert using your emergency radio or phone app
Move quickly to your designated safe space: basement, interior hallway, or bathroom
Practice the protective posture: cover your head and neck with arms or a pillow
Remain sheltered for at least five minutes to simulate real conditions
Discuss what to do if family members are in different areas of the house when the warning is issued

Earthquake Drill

Announce “Earthquake!” to start
Drop to your hands and knees
Take cover under sturdy furniture or against an interior wall
Hold on to furniture legs or brace against the wall until the shaking stops (simulate at least 60 seconds)
Practice checking for injuries and safe evacuation after the event
Move to the designated meeting point once it’s safe

Drills should reflect the most likely hazards in your area. Consider integrating weather alerts and radio checks as part of your drill routine to get everyone familiar with the tools they’ll use.

Communication Breakdown Drill

Not all emergencies involve physical danger. Some involve the loss of communication. Practicing for scenarios where phones, internet, and GPS are unavailable teaches your family how to regroup without relying on technology.

Suggested Drill Steps

Temporarily collect all phones and electronic devices
Separate family members into different parts of the home, yard, or neighborhood
Initiate a hypothetical emergency scenario (such as a power outage or local evacuation)
Use only backup methods, like two-way radios, written notes, or pre-arranged meeting locations, to reconnect
Navigate to the appropriate meeting point without assistance from apps or maps

For older children and teens, increase the complexity by adding obstacles:

Assume certain streets are “blocked” and require alternate routes
Introduce weather-related challenges (rain, cold, low light)
Limit radio communication by assigning time restrictions or signal-only responses

These exercises help your family become flexible problem-solvers when plans don’t go exactly as expected.

Making Drills Effective and Age-Appropriate

The most successful emergency drills are realistic without being overwhelming. Tailor each drill to your children’s age and your family’s experience level to build confidence rather than fear.

For Young Children (Ages 3 to 7)

Use gentle language such as “safety practice”
Turn drills into games: time how quickly they can reach the meeting spot
Use stuffed animals to model safe actions
Give them one simple job, like holding a sibling’s hand or grabbing a flashlight
Offer praise or small rewards for successful participation

For Older Children (Ages 8 to 12)

Explain the reasons behind each action
Assign more responsibility, such as checking on pets or helping younger siblings
Practice using backup communication tools
Introduce different types of emergencies and help them adapt accordingly
Review what went well and what to work on after each drill

For Teenagers

Involve them in planning the drills
Give them leadership roles such as managing the checklist or guiding younger siblings
Practice scenarios where they may be alone and need to act independently
Encourage thinking beyond the household by asking how they could assist neighbors or friends
Foster open discussion and invite their feedback after each exercise

Review and Improve After Each Drill

Always follow up with a short family meeting to talk through the drill. Rather than focusing on what went wrong, encourage discussion with constructive questions:

“Was there anything confusing about where we were supposed to go?”
“How easy was it to find the emergency kit?”
“What would make this easier next time?”

Make any needed changes immediately and walk through the adjustments so they become part of your family’s shared routine.

5. Review and Update Your Plan Regularly

A family emergency communication plan is not something you create once and forget. Life changes, family members grow, phone numbers change, schools relocate, and new tools or resources become available. Without routine updates, even the most detailed plan can become outdated and ineffective.

To ensure your plan remains accurate and useful, schedule regular reviews and make adjustments as needed. A plan that reflects your current reality will give your family the best chance of staying connected and safe.

When to Review Your Plan

You don’t need to revisit your plan weekly, but you should make updates consistently and at logical intervals. A good rule of thumb is to review your plan at least twice a year, and any time a major life event occurs.

We recommend reviewing your plan:

Biannually, such as during daylight saving time changes (a time already associated with safety checks like smoke detector testing)
After significant changes, including moves, job relocations, or school changes
When contact information changes, such as new phone numbers or email addresses
Following the adoption of new technology, like a new messaging app or emergency communication tool
After any real emergency or drill, to reflect lessons learned and improve weaknesses

Each review offers a chance to strengthen your plan and re-engage the entire family in the process.

What to Check and Update

During your review, go through every part of your communication plan to confirm it still meets your family’s needs. Make sure:

All contact information is current and accurate
Meeting locations are still safe, accessible, and clearly understood by everyone
Backup communication tools (like two-way radios or landline contacts) are functional
Emergency gear related to communication (such as chargers, spare batteries, and adapters) is accounted for and in working condition
Children’s assigned roles evolve with their age, independence, and skill level
Visual maps or simplified guides are still appropriate for young children or individuals with cognitive support needs

Taking 30 minutes twice a year to confirm these details can dramatically improve your family’s readiness during an actual event.

Keep Multiple Copies And Make Them Accessible

Having a single copy of your plan stored on one device or in one location won’t help if that resource becomes inaccessible during a crisis. Distribute your plan in both digital and physical formats to ensure availability at all times. We recommend creating:

Printed copies stored in visible, accessible areas such as kitchen emergency binders, backpacks, glove compartments, or emergency supply kits
Laminated wallet cards for each family member, especially children, with simplified instructions and contact details
Digital copies stored securely in cloud-based platforms that are password protected and accessible from multiple devices
Visual guides like printed maps, photos of meeting spots, or icon-based instructions for children and family members with cognitive challenges

Regularly check that each version of your plan matches the others and reflects the most up-to-date information.

Make It a Family Conversation

An emergency communication plan should evolve alongside your family. As children grow, involve them more in decision-making, drills, and problem-solving discussions. This not only strengthens the plan but also builds lifelong confidence and preparedness skills.

During each review:

Ask family members for input on what worked well and what felt confusing
Adjust responsibilities based on maturity, comfort level, and interest
Reinforce the idea that preparedness is about staying calm, informed, and ready—not fearful

What begins as a parent-led safety effort can become a shared project that teaches awareness, responsibility, and teamwork. The more your family owns the plan, the more effective it will be when it’s needed most.

Family Emergency Communication Plan Templates and Resources

A family sits around a table and begins discussing their home emergency plan

To help simplify the planning process, we’ve compiled some practical tools and templates you can adapt for your family’s needs:

Basic Family Communication Card Template

Create wallet-sized cards containing:

Family emergency meeting places (address and description)
Out-of-area contact person’s name and phone number
Important emergency phone numbers
Medical information (allergies, medications)
Family text message codes for different situations

Digital Emergency Contact System

Set up a digital emergency system that includes:

A shared secure document with all contact information
A family group in messaging apps with emergency-specific instructions
Pre-written emergency text messages saved in everyone’s phones
A designated family email address with a password all adults know

Emergency Communication Kit Components

Prepare a physical kit that supports your communication plan:

Portable chargers and cables for various devices
Two-way radios with extra batteries
Printed copy of the family communication plan
Local maps with meeting points clearly marked
Prepaid phone cards (if cell service is down but payphones are working)
Whistle or other signaling device for each family member
Waterproof paper and pencils for leaving messages

At Batten Home Security, we’ve found that having physical communication tools ready to grab during emergencies significantly improves families’ ability to stay connected when technology fails.

Having backup power sources for communication devices is particularly critical. Consider options like portable power stations or solar chargers that can keep phones and radios working during extended power outages.

3 Specialized Considerations for Unique Family Situations

While the core elements of an emergency communication plan apply broadly, certain family structures require extra layers of planning. These considerations help ensure your plan works for your specific situation.

Families With Children in Multiple Schools

If your children attend different schools, each with its own emergency procedures and reunification process, your plan must account for added complexity.

Understand the emergency release protocols for each school and make sure both parents and designated caregivers are authorized to pick up your children.

It’s also important to practice scenarios where one parent may need to retrieve multiple children from different locations. Including school-specific contacts and instructions as extensions to your primary plan can streamline coordination during real events.

Families With Members Who Have Disabilities or Medical Needs

When a family member relies on mobility assistance, medical equipment, or regular medication, your communication and evacuation plans should reflect those needs in detail.

Clearly document medication schedules, equipment instructions, and contingency plans for power outages. Identify accessible evacuation routes and ensure that your meeting points can be reached safely.

In some cases, it may be helpful to inform trusted neighbors or caregivers about specific needs so they can assist immediately if you’re delayed or separated.

Co-Parenting Families

For families where children split time between multiple households, it’s critical to coordinate compatible emergency plans.

Both homes should agree on shared meeting locations, consistent communication terminology, and procedures for emergency custody adjustments. Children should receive the same instructions no matter where they are, and both sets of caregivers must understand their roles.

This alignment reduces confusion and ensures that everyone is working from the same plan when it matters most.

By recognizing and addressing these unique dynamics, your family can build a communication plan that is not only thorough but also realistic and personalized. Flexibility and consistency are key to ensuring that every member of your household is protected—regardless of the situation or setting.

Integrating Your Communication Plan with Broader Preparedness

Your family emergency communication plan works best when integrated with your overall preparedness strategy.

Consider how your communication protocols connect with:

Community Emergency Resources

Learn about local emergency alert systems and ensure all family members are registered
Identify community emergency shelters near home, work, and school
Understand your neighborhood’s evacuation routes
Connect with community emergency response teams (CERT) if available

Digital Security Considerations

As you create digital elements of your emergency plan, maintain security by:

Using password-protected storage for sensitive information
Being cautious about what details you share on social media during emergencies
Implementing proper cybersecurity measures on devices containing your emergency information
Creating offline backups of critical digital information

Home Security Integration

Your communication plan can work alongside your home security system by:

Understanding how security systems function during power outages
Using security cameras to check on your home remotely during evacuations
Leveraging smart home features for emergency notifications
Ensuring all family members know security system codes and protocols

My Personal Experience With Making a Family Emergency Communication Plan

A couple of years ago, after a particularly bad wildfire season, I started thinking seriously about how unprepared my family was if something major happened. I live with my wife and two kids, one in middle school, the other still in elementary school, and I realized that if we were ever separated in an emergency, we had no clear plan to reconnect. No meeting points, no backup contact info, no idea what to do if phones went down.

So I got to work. We started by writing down everyone’s phone numbers, addresses, and important medical info. I picked out three meeting spots: one right outside the house, one at the local library two blocks away, and one at my sister’s place across town.

We made wallet cards with the info for the kids and laminated them. I also showed my older daughter how to use a two-way radio, and we bought a solar charger just in case power went out.

Then came the test. In late summer, a massive windstorm swept through our area, knocking out cell towers and electricity for over 48 hours. My wife was stuck at work, my younger son was at a friend’s house, and I couldn’t get a signal to call anyone.

But we had a plan. Within an hour, my son was dropped off at our neighborhood meeting point. My daughter and I waited, and soon after, my wife arrived too. The radios had worked. We were safe. That plan we’d made, which was not fancy, just practical, kept us calm and connected when it counted most.

It was a huge eye-opener. We’ve updated the plan twice since then, and we run drills every few months. Honestly, I sleep better at night now knowing that we’ve got something in place, not just for the big disasters, but for anything that might come our way.

Conclusion: Preparedness Brings Peace of Mind

Creating and practicing a family emergency communication plan might seem time-consuming initially, but the peace of mind it provides is invaluable. Families who take the time to develop and regularly practice these plans consistently report feeling more confident and less anxious about potential emergencies.

Remember that the goal isn’t to create fear or anxiety, but rather to build resilience and capability within your family. Children who participate in age-appropriate emergency planning develop important life skills like problem-solving, communication, and responsibility. Adults benefit from knowing that even in the worst circumstances, there’s a clear strategy for reconnecting with loved ones.

By taking action today to create your family emergency communication plan, you’re making a powerful investment in your family’s safety and well-being during challenging times. Start with the basics, practice regularly, and continue refining your approach as your family grows and changes.

Want to ensure your family has all the resources needed to implement your emergency communication plan? Browse Batten’s expert-recommended emergency preparation products — from communication tools to power solutions — and build a comprehensive safety system for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should Be Included in a Family Emergency Communication Plan?

Your plan should list contact info for all family members, an out-of-area contact, and key details like meeting spots, medical info, and emergency contacts for schools or workplaces. Include instructions for kids, pet care info, and both digital and printed versions. Review and practice it regularly.

How to Communicate With Family During an Emergency?

Start with text messages, as they’re more reliable than calls during emergencies. Use an out-of-area contact as a communication hub. If phones fail, try radios, social media check-ins, or leave notes at agreed spots. Practice your plan so everyone knows what to do.

How Do You Write an Emergency Communication Plan?

Gather contact and medical info, pick meeting points, choose communication methods, and write it all in a simple document. Share copies with your family, keep them in key places, and update the plan regularly. Practice it so everyone stays prepared.