Family Communications Plan

You are at work, your wife is at home, and the kids are at school. Something big happens. An 8.5 earthquake tears the city apart. Immediately cell phone towers go offline and the few that survived are completely jammed. Power is out and land line telephones are inoperable. You don't know the overall damage and if your family is safe. The highway system is blocked. What are you going to do? There is an urgency and helplessness that puts you into a state of mental shock. What is the plan?

Did you know that the majority of people do not have a communications plan in the event of an emergency or disaster? Do you have one? Most people reading this don't have one. A Family Communications Plan should consist of information that all family members need to know in the event of an emergency. This items include relative's phone numbers and addresses, out of town contacts, emergency meeting places, how to access important family and medical documents.and much more. Also be aware that school systems have a plan in case of a disaster. Make sure you know and understand what that plan is so you know what to do if your kids are in school when it happens.

FEMA has created a planning document to help outline the necessary steps to prepare for a disaster. It can be downloaded here. Take time to go over this with your family and then rehearse what you plan. This can save you hours of worry and frustration in the event...