Make a Plan
Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
Where to Begin?
Discuss over your household meal.
Invite extended family & friends over for a discussion on what they would do.
Talk with your neighbors to see what help each could provide another if someone was not at home.
Plan BEFORE a Disaster
STEP 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.
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How will "I" receive emergency alerts and warnings?
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What is my shelter plan?
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What is my evacuation route?
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What is my family/household communication plan?
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Do "I" have or need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
STEP 2: Consider specific needs in your household.
As you prepare your plan, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:
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Different ages of members within your household
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Responsibilities for assisting others
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Locations frequented
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Dietary needs
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Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
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Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
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Languages spoken
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Cultural and religious considerations
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Pets or service animals
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Households with school-aged children
STEP 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan.
Download and fill out a household emergency communications plan (Full Version, Parents Only Version, or Kids Only Version)or use it as a guide to create your own. Learn more about setting up an emergency communications plan here.
Don't forget critical documents important to your family!
STEP 4: Practice your plan with your household.
Resources
Households
Family Emergency Communications Plan - Full (PDF).
Parents Emergency Communications Plan (PDF).
Kids Emergency Communications Plan (PDF).
Protect Critical Documents and Valuables (PDF).
Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (PDF).
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Disaster Checklist (PDF).
Business
Business Continuity: Disaster in the Workplace Tabletop Exercise Toolkit.