Family Emergency Plan

Why the Plan Is Important

Since your family may not all be together when a disaster occurs, it is important to have a clear plan. This includes knowing what types of disasters could happen in your area and how you will communicate if you are separated. It is also important to identify a familiar and easily accessible family meeting place.

Step 1: Meet as a Family to Create a Plan

Discuss the following questions with your family or close friends to start building your emergency plan:

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What evacuation route should I take?
How will my family and I communicate during an emergency?
Do we need to update our emergency supply kit?

Step2: Consider Each Family Member’s Special Needs

Step 3: Create a Written Family Emergency Plan

Step 4: Practice the Plan

Making Preparedness a Habit

Preparedness Supplies and Important Documents

Family emergency contact card
Emergency supply checklist
A printed or digital copy of the plan
Backup copies of important documents (IDs, contracts, medical records, etc.)
A list of important phone numbers (emergency services, relatives, support services)

Sources and downloads

Reference	Link
FEMA – National Response Framework	https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nrf
FEMA – National Incident Management System (NIMS)	https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims
FEMA – Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG 101)	https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/plan
FEMA – Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Manual	https://www.ready.gov/cert
World Health Organization (WHO) – Health Emergency & Disaster Risk Management Framework	https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/emergencies-disasters-and-disaster-risk-reduction
WHO – Hospital Emergency Response Checklist	https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516134
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) – Sendai Framework 2015–2030	https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030
UNDRR – Words into Action Guidelines	https://www.undrr.org/publication/words-action-disaster-risk-reduction-guidelines-implement-sendai-framework
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Guidelines	https://www.ifrc.org/document/community-based-disaster-risk-reduction-guidelines
Sphere Handbook – Humanitarian Charter & Minimum Standards	https://spherestandards.org/handbook/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) Manual	https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/manual/index.asp
CDC – Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit	https://www.cdc.gov/phpr/readywors/multiplier.htm
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) – Hospital Safety Index	https://www.paho.org/en/health-emergency/disaster-risk-management/hospital-safety-index
ISO 22320 – Emergency Management: Incident Management Guidelines	https://www.iso.org/standard/50043.html
ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management	https://www.iso.org/standard/50038.html
The Pillowcase Project – American Red Cross	https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/teaching-kids-about-emergency-preparedness/the-pillowcase-project.html
Ready Kids – FEMA (USA)	https://www.ready.gov/kids
WHO “Health-Promoting Schools” Framework	https://www.who.int/health-topics/health-promoting-schools
UNICEF School Safety Programme	https://www.unicef.org/education/safe-schools
Save the Children – “Risk Reduction & Resilience Education for Schools” (Resources)	https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net
British Red Cross – “Life Skills & Emergency Awareness” (Resources)	https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/teaching-resources

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