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Communication...
Preparing for disasters and emergencies helps everyone in the family accept the possibility that a disaster can happen. Having an emergency plan helps reduce anxiety and stress in an emergency situation. One important component is any emergency plan is a communications plan. It is essential that family members know how to contact and meet up with one another.
Create an Emergency Communications Plan
Choose an out-of-town contact that each family member will call or e-mail to check-in should family members be separated when a disaster occurs. The selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event. The contact must know and understand his or her role in the family’s emergency plan.
To facilitate this process, print the blank communications cards and fill them out. Give the completed cards to every family member and the out-of-town contact. By folding the cards in half, they can easily be carried in a wallet, purse, or backpack. Leave these contact numbers at work and at children’s schools. Remind family members to try all modes of communication until they reach their contact person. This includes cell phone, land phone lines, and e-mail.
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