How to Create a Communication Plan for Emergencies

Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. The unpredictability of these circumstances necessitate preparedness in order to keep life and property safe. Emergency situations can be stressful, but with a detailed and comprehensive communication plan, family members may be able to stay calm in an otherwise terrifying scenario.

Knowing what to do during the aftermath of an emergency can make all the difference. ServiceMaster by Reed has some tips on how to create an emergency communication plan to help protect you and your family when a disaster comes.

Compile important contact information

Collect the contact information of each of your family members, including email addresses and phone numbers as well as schools, doctors, medical facilities and insurance providers.
Identify someone outside your community or state who can be a central point of contact to help your family reconnect and add their contact information to your file.
Local phone lines can sometimes be jammed during a disaster, which makes a long-distance call with someone who can coordinate meeting points for you easier.

Review school or workplace emergency response plans

If you get separated during an emergency, let your family know where to meet.

Review your kid's school emergency response plan, discuss it with your family, and let your kid know who might pick them up if an emergency occurs.
Teach your children about emergency preparedness for them to better understand what to expect and what to do during a disaster.
Sign up for the school's emergency alert system so you'll be immediately notified if ever an emergency happens during school hours.

Review school or workplace emergency response plans

If you get separated during an emergency, let your family know where to meet.

Indoors: Discuss with your family the areas to go to for protection in case an earthquake, a tornado or other natural disaster strikes, such as closets, bathrooms and other small, interior, windowless rooms.
Outdoors: Think of a safe place for your family to meet outside if a disaster forces you to evacuate your home.
Outside of your city: If you have to leave your city, choose a meeting place that everyone knows the address of and the way to get there safely in case you get separated during the evacuation process.

Distribute copies of your emergency communication plan

Make written copies of your contact list and the addresses of each of your designated meeting points and distribute a copy to each family member.
Share a copy of this contact list with a friend or family member who lives away or out of your area.

Practice your communication plan

Familiarize each family member with each of your emergency meeting points.
Encourage family members to memorize important phone numbers and who to contact during an emergency.
Discuss about what to communicate during and after the disaster, including which messages are ideal to send through text or through a phone call.
Review your plan at least once a year and make updates as necessary. If you need help in creating your plan, check the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) family emergency communication plan.

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Don’t know what to do next? We do. Contact ServiceMaster by Reed today. Visit us at 2830 Horace Sheppard Drive Dothan, AL 36303.

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