Survival Communications Plan for Any Emergency
A family-first, role-based plan you can use in minutes. Keep it simple, write it down, and practice it.
Scope note: This page covers family coordination and check-ins; radio training and advanced radio setup are handled separately in the GMRS content.
This page is designed to be scanned quickly. Assign roles, set your primary and backup methods, pick meeting points, and establish a check-in schedule. Then download the printable PDF and fill it out with your family.
Parents & Adults
- Keep the master contact list updated (family, neighbors, medical, school, work).
- Define meeting locations (primary + backup) and a decision point (when to move, when to stay).
- Set the check-in schedule and what information to report.
- Keep printed copies of the plan in the home and vehicle.
Kids & Teens
- Know the out-of-area contact name and number by memory or on a card.
- Know the primary meeting spot and one backup.
- Know the rule: do not wander; move to the meeting point if safe.
- Know what to say: name, location, who you are with, and what you need.
Out-of-Area Contact
- Collect status updates from each family member and relay the summary.
- Keep information short and consistent to reduce confusion.
- Document last known locations and times for each person.
- Coordinate changes to meeting plans if needed.
Primary Methods
- Text message first (often works when calls fail).
- Phone call second (short calls, leave a clear voicemail).
- One shared family group message thread (keep it simple).
- One out-of-area contact as the information hub.
Backup Options
- Email or a secondary messaging app (if available).
- Two-way radios you already own (keep channel and call-sign rules simple).
- Printed contact cards and a written meeting plan (no batteries required).
- In-person relay point (trusted neighbor, community location, or family rally point).
- Choose fixed check-in times (example: morning, midday, evening).
- Define what counts as a missed check-in and what the next action is.
- Define the minimum report: name, location, condition, next move, next check-in time.
- Use the out-of-area contact as the primary relay if local networks are overloaded.
Contacts
- Out-of-area contact (name, phone, email).
- Local backup contact (trusted neighbor/friend).
- School, daycare, work numbers.
- Medical contacts and pharmacy.
Meeting Points
- Primary meeting location (address + simple directions).
- Backup meeting location (address + simple directions).
- Fallback rally area (if the whole neighborhood is blocked).
- Rules for when to move between locations.
Rules of the Road
- Keep messages short and consistent.
- Do not share sensitive details publicly (location, supplies, routes).
- Do not improvise meeting points without informing the out-of-area contact.
- Have a simple phrase that means "I am safe" vs "I need help now."
Carry Copies
- Printed plan card for each person (wallet/backpack).
- One copy staged at home (easy to grab).
- One copy staged in the vehicle.
- Optional: a photo of the plan stored on each phone.
- Run a 10-minute family review once per month.
- Test the check-in schedule on a normal day.
- Verify meeting points are still valid (construction, access, safety).
- Update contact numbers immediately after changes (school/work/phones).
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