Family Communication Plan

Chances are your family may not be together when an emergency strikes, so plan ahead of time how you will contact one another. First, try to contact each other via cell phone. Second, consider a plan where each family member calls or E-mails the same friend or relative. It may be easier to make a long-distance call than to call across town, so an out-of-state contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Designate who that person would be and make sure everyone knows their number.

Think about the places where your family spends time - school, work, the gym, the mall, places your family frequents. Talk to your children's schools and your employer about emergency plans. Find out how they will communicate to families during an emergency. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together.

If you need to evacuate, plan how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options. If you have a car, keep it at least half full of gas at all times. Become familiar with alternative routes, as well as other means of transportation out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will have to leave if you have to. Take your emergency supply kit with you.