Communications Card

Preparing for disasters and emergencies helps everyone in the family accept the possibility that a disaster can happen. It provides an opportunity to identify and collect the resources to meet basic needs after a disaster. Taking action to prepare can reassure you and your children that you can exert a measure of control even in the face of such events. It will also help reduce anxiety and stress to know there is a plan and that everyone knows the plan.

One important component is an emergency communications plan. It is essential that your family know how to get in touch with each other and have a local meeting place. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than locally so it is also important to identify a friend or relative out of the area who can serve as a contact point for everyone.

Create an Emergency Communications Plan

Choose an out-of-town contact that each member of your family or household will call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact.

• Print the sheet of communications cards out to get the number of cards needed for your family.
  
  
• Complete the information requested on each Family Emergency Communications Card so every household member has that contact's, and each other's, email addresses and telephone numbers (home, work, pager and cell).
  
  
• Cut the cards apart and fold them in half so that they may be easily carried in your wallet, backpack, etc.
  
  
• Leave these contact numbers at your workplace and at your children's schools.
  
  
• Your family should know that if telephones are not working, they should try again later or try e-mail. Many people flood the telephone lines when emergencies happen, but e-mail can sometimes get through when calls don't.