A family plan should be simple and easy to remember. Make a family emergency plan today, before you need it. Sit in a family council and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will meet, including at least two alternative locations. A printed copy of the plan can be kept in your 72 hrs kit, glove box of each vehicle, your children's school back pack and stored on each family members mobile device. The plan should easily fit onto a 3x5 card. See FEMA web site for simple example of a Family Emergency Plan Work Sheet a Family Emergency Plan Card and for a more in-depth look at Creating Your Family Emergency Communication Plan.
Considerations
Possible Meeting Locations:
1) Your home.
2) A relatives or safe person's home.
3) A local community building such as a church, library, police department or community center.
There are many possibilities for locations. It is important your locations be in completely different directions.
Home. This is the best place to meet and manage an emergency. Your food, clothing, shelter, defense and psychological comfort are all here. If at all possible, do not leave your home or immediate neighborhood. If the police or fire department have ordered an evacuation and your family is together, gather your prepared emergency kits and get out. If you family is not together, in-act your Family Emergency Communication Plan.
A relatives or safe person's home. There may may be two locations here. If parents are at work or otherwise not immediately available a neighbor may be a safe place for children in the interim. The neighbor should have a copy of the family plan, phone numbers of the parents and permission on file to pick up the children at school in case of an emergency. Once the family is together you can move to a further away safe location.
A local community building such as a church, library, police department or community center.
If you are a member of a local church or synagogue this may be an ideal contingency meeting location. You will be with people you know and trust. Many resources can be aggregated for the common good. Community buildings are likely to have local officials and resources available.
