Family emergency communication plan: who calls whom?

Choose primary and backup contact routes #

List more than one route where available. Ask people before assigning them a role, and check that phone numbers are current. Include an out-of-area contact if that fits your household’s plan.

• Household contacts and the route each person actually checks.
• A backup contact who can help relay information.
• School, care provider or workplace contact points where relevant.
• Local emergency information sources and instructions from local authorities.

Write a short check-in message #

A useful message says who is checking in, where they are and what they plan to do next. Keep identifying or sensitive details appropriate to the channel. Follow local emergency instructions rather than relying on a prewritten plan when conditions change.

I am safe at [agreed location]. I am with [person/role]. My next step is [plan]. I will check this channel again at [time]. If you cannot reach me, contact [backup].

Plan for a dead phone or inaccessible home #

Keep a paper contact copy where it can be found. Agree on meeting arrangements appropriate to your area and household, including what children or dependent adults should do with their usual caregiver. Check the school or care provider’s own release and emergency procedures; your family sheet does not override them.

Practice a small version of the plan #

Ask each person to find the backup contact and explain the check-in route. Include someone who is not usually responsible for planning. Correct ambiguous instructions, date the sheet and replace old copies after number changes. The printable contact tool below helps keep the essential fields in one readable place.