Family emergency communication plan: what to agree in advance
Agree on two meeting places, one out-of-area contact person and a written list of numbers that everyone carries. Then practise it once, so nobody has to improvise when phone lines are busy.
Agree on where to meet and who to contact
Ready.gov points out that your family may not be together when something happens. It suggests a family meeting place that is familiar and easy to find. The Red Cross recommends two different kinds of places: one near your home, for a local emergency such as a fire, and one outside your neighbourhood, in case the whole area is affected. Poland's RCB guide likewise advises agreeing a contact point where you will meet if you are accidentally separated.
The Red Cross also suggests choosing one out-of-area contact. Local phone lines tend to be overloaded after an emergency, so a person elsewhere can be easier to reach and can act as a central point. Pick someone who lives far enough away not to be affected by the same event. Everyone then reports their status to that person.
Write it down and share it
The Red Cross recommends that everyone carries emergency contact information both on paper and saved in their phone. Each person should also keep a copy in their emergency kit. Ready.gov's plan form covers household members' names and contacts, meeting places and important medical information. Its card also has space for school, childcare, caregiver and workplace emergency plans, so it is worth finding out where children would be taken or picked up.
Remember relatives who live elsewhere for part of the year. The Red Cross says your plan should include people such as students away at school or family members who travel often.
Text rather than call, and practise
RCB advises assuming that phone communication may be limited in a crisis. It suggests cutting down on calls to friends and family, because overloaded lines can get in the way of the emergency services. If you want to tell people you are safe, it recommends sending an SMS. In Poland, call 112 to request help.
The Red Cross suggests practising: walk your escape routes, call your out-of-area contact and go to your meeting place. A short run-through shows up gaps, such as a missing number or a place the children cannot find. Review the plan when anything changes.
Get your household's full 72-hour plan
Ready72h turns official guidance from Sweden (MSB), Germany (BBK) and Poland (RCB) into a calm, practical plan: a complete 72-hour supply checklist, a family communication plan for when phones go down, and a “15 minutes to leave the house” go-bag list. Apartment and house versions, printable PDF plus an offline app that tracks your progress.
Pay what you want, from 2 PLN · PDF planner + offline app · PL / EN / DE / ES
FAQ
Why choose a contact person outside my area?
The Red Cross notes that local phone lines tend to be overloaded after an emergency. Someone far enough away to be unaffected is often easier to reach, and family members can report to them.
Should I rely on my phone to store the numbers?
No. The Red Cross recommends carrying contact details in writing as well as on your phone. RCB also advises keeping phone numbers written on paper.
Should we call or text each other?
RCB recommends limiting calls, because busy lines can hinder the emergency services, and sending an SMS to say you are safe. Call 112 only when you need help.
Sources
- Ready.gov – Make a Plan
- American Red Cross – Be Prepared. Get Connected. Take Action.
- American Red Cross – Disasters: Plan on How to Get in Touch with Loved Ones
- RCB – Bądź gotowy! Poradnik na czas kryzysu i wojny (copy of the guide)
More guides
- How much cash should you keep at home for a blackout?
- What food to store for 72 hours without cooking?
- Emergency go-bag for wheelchair users, people with disabilities and older adults
- How to prepare for a power outage (blackout) at home
- How much water do you need for 72 hours?
- What should you put in a 72-hour emergency kit?