Family Emergency Plan
One complete reference for household contacts, medical info, meeting places, communication protocols, and emergency numbers. Fill out together, practice once a year, and keep copies everywhere.
Family Emergency Plan
Print one copy per family member. Keep in wallet, backpack, vehicle, and bug out bag.
Household Members
| Name | Cell Phone | Daytime Location | Daytime Phone | Blood Type | Medical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Out-of-Area Emergency Contact (Primary Relay Point)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Relationship | |
| Cell phone | |
| Home phone | |
| City / State | |
All family members check in with this person so they can relay status to others. Use when local lines are jammed.
Additional Out-of-Area Contacts
| Name | Relationship | Phone (Primary) | Phone (Alt) | City / State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Emergency Meeting Points
| Scenario | Meeting Place | Address / Landmark | Who to Wait For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire / evacuate immediately | |||
| Neighborhood emergency | |||
| Cannot return to neighborhood | |||
| Major regional disaster |
School / Childcare Protocols
| Child's Name | School / Facility | School Phone | Authorized Pickup Names | Reunification Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Communication Rules
| # | Rule |
|---|---|
| 1 | Text before calling, texts get through when voice lines are congested |
| 2 | Call the out-of-area relay contact if you cannot reach family directly |
| 3 | Check in at agreed meeting place if phones are completely down |
| 4 | Leave a written note on the front door if you had to evacuate |
| 5 | Do not go home if authorities say the area is unsafe, go to alternate meeting place |
| 6 |
Communication Tools Available
| Tool | Available | Channel / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phones | ||
| Two-way radios (walkie-talkies) | Channel: ______ / CTCSS: ______ | |
| Ham radio | Call sign: ______ | |
| NOAA weather radio | ||
| Satellite communicator (e.g. Garmin inReach) |
Medical Contacts
| Provider / Pharmacy | Phone | Address | Person / Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary care doctor | |||
| Pediatrician | |||
| Dentist | |||
| Pharmacy | |||
| Insurance (medical) | |||
| Nearest hospital / ER | |||
| Poison Control | 1-800-222-1222 | — | — |
Pets
| Pet Name / Species | Vet Name | Vet Phone | Medications / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Emergency Services & Utilities
| Service | Phone | Account # |
|---|---|---|
| Police (non-emergency) | — | |
| Fire department (non-emergency) | — | |
| Local emergency management | — | |
| Electric utility | ||
| Gas utility | ||
| Water utility | ||
| Internet / phone provider | ||
| Insurance (home) | ||
| Insurance (auto) | ||
| American Red Cross | 1-800-733-2767 | — |
| FEMA | 1-800-621-3362 | — |
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a family emergency plan include?
A comprehensive family emergency plan should cover household member contacts and medical info, an out-of-area contact as a communication relay point, meeting locations for different scenarios, school and childcare pickup protocols, communication tools and rules, and essential utility and emergency services numbers.
Why do I need an out-of-area contact in my emergency plan?
During a local disaster, phone lines and cell towers in the affected area often become overloaded or damaged. Long-distance calls frequently go through when local ones cannot. An out-of-area contact acts as a relay point, all family members check in with that one person, who then communicates status between family members.
How should I store a family emergency plan?
Print one copy per household member and keep in wallets, backpacks, bug out bags, vehicles, and with neighbors. Post one inside a kitchen cabinet. Laminate for durability since devices and networks may be unavailable during an actual emergency. Update annually.