Document Your Comms Plan
Step 6: Document Your Communication Plan
Create Your Family Communication Plan Document
Your completed plan should include:
1. Contact Information
Names and phone numbers for all family members
Work/school addresses and phone numbers
Out-of-area emergency contact (name, address, phones)
Important local contacts (pediatrician, veterinarian, insurance agent)
2. Meeting Locations (covered in detail in Guide 3)
Near-home meeting point
Neighborhood meeting point
Out-of-area destination
3. Communication Methods
List of methods in priority order
Login information for family social media group
Links to location-sharing apps
4. Special Considerations
Medical needs and medications
Pet plans
Accessibility requirements
Children's school procedures
5. Emergency Contacts
911
Local police (non-emergency)
Fire department (non-emergency)
Poison control: 1-800-222-1222
Doctor/medical provider
Insurance company
Utility companies
Child's school
Veterinarian
Where to Store Your Plan
Keep copies:
In your home (on refrigerator, in emergency kit)
In your car (glove box)
In your go-bag
In your phone (photo of the plan or notes app)
In cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud)
With your out-of-area contact
Digital options:
Take a photo of your written plan
Create a shared document (Google Doc, Apple Notes)
Use FEMA app which has plan templates
Print wallet cards for everyone
Practice Your Plan
How often to practice:
Review plan with family every 6 months
Practice sending messages quarterly
Update information whenever it changes
What to practice:
Everyone sends a test text to family group
Kids call out-of-area contact to say hi
Review meeting locations
Update any changed information
Make it a ritual:
Tie it to daylight saving time changes
Do it on a family member's birthday
Combine with testing smoke detectors
Keeping Your Plan Current
Communication plans need regular maintenance. Set these reminders:
Every 6 months:
Review plan with entire family
Practice sending test messages
Update any changed phone numbers or addresses
Refresh wallet cards if information has changed
Every year:
Call out-of-area contact to confirm they're still willing and able
Check that all family members still have contact saved in phones
Update children's emergency information (they grow and change)
Review and revise scenario plans
Whenever changes occur:
New job or school
New phone numbers
Move to new home
Family structure changes
Medical needs change