Family Emergency Preparedness Plan

Emergencies don’t announce themselves. The families that navigate them best are those that have thought through the scenarios in advance, made decisions when they weren’t under stress, and ensured every family member knows what to do.

This template walks you through building a complete family emergency preparedness plan. Complete it when things are calm. Review it annually and after any significant family change (new address, new family members, children aging into new capabilities).

Section 1: Emergency Contact Information

Immediate Family Contacts

Out-of-Area Contact (Designated Family Coordinator)

Choose one person outside your immediate area who all family members will contact in an emergency. Local phone lines may be overwhelmed; long-distance calls often go through more easily.

Name: _______________ Phone: _______________ Email: _______________ Address: _______________

Children’s School/Childcare Contacts

Medical Contacts

Pediatrician: _______________ Phone: _______________ Family Doctor: _______________ Phone: _______________ Nearest Hospital: _______________ Phone: _______________ Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 (U.S.) Emergency: 911

Utility Contacts

Electric: _______________ Outage line: _______________ Gas: _______________ Emergency line: _______________ Water: _______________ Emergency line: _______________

Section 2: Medical Information

Family Medical Summary

Medication Emergency Supply

List medications that require continuous use and cannot be interrupted:

Goal: Maintain at least a 7-day emergency supply of all critical medications.

Section 3: Evacuation Plans

Home Evacuation (Fire/Immediate Danger)

Primary exit from each room:

• Master bedroom: _______________
• Child 1’s room: _______________
• Child 2’s room: _______________
• Other rooms: _______________

Meeting point outside the home: _______________ (Choose a specific landmark, a neighbor’s mailbox, a specific tree, not just “the front yard”)

Secondary meeting point (if primary is inaccessible): _______________

Who is responsible for each child in an emergency:

• Child 1: _______________
• Child 2: _______________
• Pets: _______________

Practice: Conduct a home fire drill at least twice per year. Practice at night, most fatal house fires occur when people are asleep.

Neighborhood/Area Evacuation

Primary evacuation route from neighborhood: _______________

Secondary evacuation route: _______________

Destination 1 (local, friend/family within 50 miles): Name: _______________ Address: _______________ Phone: _______________

Destination 2 (regional, friend/family 50-200 miles): Name: _______________ Address: _______________ Phone: _______________

Destination 3 (distant, friend/family 200+ miles): Name: _______________ Address: _______________ Phone: _______________

Fuel: Keep your vehicle’s gas tank above half when emergency conditions are possible. Gas stations may be closed or have long lines during evacuations.

Shelter-in-Place Plan

For emergencies requiring staying home (severe weather, hazardous materials incident):

Safest room in the house (interior room, away from windows): _______________

Supplies kept in that room: _______________

How to seal the room if needed (for hazmat events): _______________

Section 4: Communication Plan

Family Communication Protocol

1. If emergency occurs when family is together: Follow evacuation plan, meet at designated point
2. If emergency occurs when family is separated:
   • Each person calls/texts the out-of-area contact first
   • Out-of-area contact relays information to all family members
   • All family members check in with out-of-area contact every [time interval]
3. If phones are not working: Meet at [designated location] at [designated time]

Children’s Communication Plan

What each child knows:

• Full name, parents’ names, home address, phone number
• Out-of-area contact’s name and phone number
• School’s emergency procedures
• What to do if they cannot reach a parent

Age-appropriate communication cards: Create laminated cards for younger children with:

• Child’s name and photo
• Parents’ names and phone numbers
• Out-of-area contact information
• Medical information

Section 5: Emergency Supply Kit

72-Hour Kit (Minimum)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends a minimum 72-hour supply. A 2-week supply is better for extended emergencies.

Water:

• 1 gallon per person per day (drinking and sanitation)
• For a family of 4 for 72 hours: 12 gallons minimum
• Store in food-grade containers; replace every 6 months
• Water purification tablets or filter as backup

Food:

• Non-perishable items your family will actually eat
• No-cook or minimal-cook options
• Manual can opener
• Special dietary needs (infant formula, baby food, medical diets)
• Comfort foods, stress eating is real and valid in emergencies

Medications and First Aid:

• 7-day supply of all prescription medications
• First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, gauze, medical tape, scissors, tweezers)
• Over-the-counter medications (pain reliever, antidiarrheal, antacid, antihistamine)
• Thermometer
• Any medical equipment (blood pressure cuff, glucose monitor, etc.)

Documents (copies in waterproof container):

• Identification (passports, driver’s licenses, birth certificates)
• Insurance cards and policies
• Medical records and vaccination records
• Financial account information
• Property records
• This emergency plan

Tools and Safety:

• Flashlights and extra batteries (or hand-crank/solar)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust masks (N95 or better)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (shelter-in-place)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Local maps (paper, don’t rely on phone GPS)

Sanitation:

• Toilet paper
• Moist towelettes
• Garbage bags and ties
• Hand sanitizer
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers and wipes (if applicable)

Communication:

• Fully charged portable battery pack for phones
• Copies of important phone numbers (don’t rely on phone memory)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

Children’s Needs:

• Comfort items (stuffed animal, favorite toy)
• Books, games, activities (for extended sheltering)
• Formula, baby food, diapers (for infants)
• Any special needs items

Pets:

• Food and water for 72 hours
• Medications
• Carrier or leash
• Vaccination records
• Photo of pet with owner (for identification)

Kit Maintenance

• Review annually: Check expiration dates on food, water, and medications
• Update after changes: New family members, new medications, new address
• Seasonal review: Add/remove items based on seasonal risks (winter gear, etc.)

Section 6: Specific Emergency Scenarios

House Fire

1. Get out immediately, don’t stop for belongings
2. Close doors behind you (slows fire spread)
3. Meet at designated outdoor meeting point
4. Call 911 from outside
5. Never go back inside a burning building

Practice: Smoke alarm test monthly; full drill twice yearly

Severe Weather (Tornado/Hurricane)

Tornado: Go to the lowest floor, interior room, away from windows. Basement is best; bathroom or closet if no basement.

Hurricane: Follow local evacuation orders. If sheltering in place, go to interior room away from windows.

Severe thunderstorm: Stay indoors; avoid plumbing and electrical equipment; stay off corded phones.

Power Outage

• Use flashlights, not candles (fire risk)
• Keep refrigerator and freezer closed (food safe for 4 hours in refrigerator, 48 hours in full freezer)
• Never use generators, grills, or camp stoves indoors (carbon monoxide)
• Check on elderly neighbors

Medical Emergency

• Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies
• Know the location of the nearest emergency room
• Know basic first aid and CPR (consider taking a course)
• Keep a list of all family members’ medical information accessible

Section 7: Preparing Children

Age-Appropriate Preparation

Ages 3-5: Teach name, parents’ names, and phone number. Practice fire drills. Teach “stop, drop, and roll.”

Ages 6-10: Teach home address, how to call 911, and the family communication plan. Practice evacuation routes. Assign age-appropriate emergency responsibilities.

Ages 11+: Teach the full emergency plan. Assign meaningful responsibilities. Discuss different emergency scenarios and responses.

Talking to Children About Emergencies

Frame emergency preparation as empowering, not frightening:

• “We’re making a plan so we know exactly what to do if something unexpected happens”
• “Knowing what to do helps us feel safe”
• Practice drills matter-of-factly, not dramatically

After an Emergency

Children may show stress responses after emergencies: regression, sleep difficulties, anxiety, behavioral changes. These are normal. Maintain routines, provide reassurance, and seek professional support if symptoms persist beyond a few weeks.

Last Updated: _______________ Next Review Date: _______________ Plan Created By: _______________

Store copies of this plan in your emergency kit, at work, and with your out-of-area contact.