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Free Family Emergency Plan Template

A family emergency plan answers four questions before you need them: where everyone meets, who picks up the kids, how you reach each other when the phones don't work, and what to do if you hear nothing. This free two-page template covers all four. Print it, fill it in at the kitchen table in about 20 minutes, and give everyone a copy. Want the whole plan? The free Complete Family Emergency Plan has 15 pages.

Quick plan, 2 pages ↓Complete plan, 15 pages ↓

Free. No sign-up. Type into it on a computer, or print it and write on it. Open to print: quick plan · complete plan.

Family emergency plan, page 1Family emergency plan, page 2

Two pages, US Letter. Large print, room to write.

What's in it

Ten parts, in the order you'll need them

The first five are the basics every family plan needs. Parts 6 and 7 are the ones that matter most when the phones go down.

1. Our householdNames, cell numbers, medicines and allergies.
2. Where we meetRight outside, in the neighborhood, and out of town.
3. Out-of-town contactOne person everyone texts to say "I'm OK."
4. Who picks up whomKids, older parents, and a backup for each.
5. ShutoffsWater, gas and the electric panel, and where the tool is.
6. Four ways to reach each otherCall, text, radio, then a set place. Try the next when one fails.
7. If we hear nothingWhat each person does after 2, 12 and 24 hours.
8. Important numbersDoctor, pharmacy, vet, school, work, power company.
9. PetsWho grabs them and where they can stay.
10. Practice checklistSix boxes to tick so the plan works for real.

Want the whole plan?

The Complete Family Emergency Plan: 15 pages

Everything in the quick plan, and the rest of what a family needs written down. Two or three evenings of about 30 minutes. Same large print, and you can type into it.

Download the complete plan ↓Open and print

Free. No sign-up. Type into it on a computer, or print it and write on it.

Complete Family Emergency Plan, page 1Complete Family Emergency Plan, page 11

15 pages, US Letter. Large print, room to write, eight cut-out wallet cards.

1. Our householdEveryone in the plan, and how to describe your home to 911.
2. About each personDescription, medicines, doctor and a photo: what police and hospitals ask for.
3. Extra help and petsAnyone who can't get out alone or needs power for medical equipment.
4. Our risksYour county's risks, from FEMA's free lookup, and how you get warnings.
5. Our homeShutoffs, alarms and gear, and a fire escape map with two ways out.
6. Staying homeStorm safe spot, bad air outside, power out for days, and water.
7. Leaving homeWhen you leave, where you go, two ways out and a 10-minute grab list.
8. Finding each otherMeeting places, out-of-town contacts, pick-ups, school and work plans.
9. Reaching each otherFour ways in order, check-in times and what to say.
10. If we hear nothingA timeline, each person's own plan, and how to leave a note.
11. Who does whatA job for everyone, what each child knows by heart, and neighbors.
12. Numbers, papers, moneyImportant numbers, where the papers are, cash and insurance.
13. Practice and reviewDrills, a practice log and questions for the dinner table.
14. Wallet cardsEight cut-out cards, one for each person.

How to make a family emergency plan

Seven steps

About 20 minutes. Do it together: a plan only one person knows is not a family plan.

  1. Sit down together.Everyone old enough to answer a phone should be there.
  2. Pick three meeting places.One right outside, one in the neighborhood, one out of town. Then walk to the neighborhood one together, so the kids know the way.
  3. Choose an out-of-town contact.Long-distance calls and texts often get through when local lines are jammed. Call that person and ask them first.
  4. Write down who picks up whom.Name a backup for each child, and tell the school in writing.
  5. Write four ways to reach each other.Call first, text second, then a radio or a set place. The template shows an example for each.
  6. Agree what to do if you hear nothing.Everyone follows the same steps, so nobody has to guess.
  7. Make copies and practice.Wallet, car, go-bag and work. Practice twice a year; when the clocks change is an easy reminder.

Watch

Build a four-level family plan

Ten minutes on the method behind parts 6 and 7: a Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency way to do every important thing, and what to do when nobody answers.

PACE Plan for Families video

Want it filled in for your own county?

WATCHMAN Suite builds the whole plan with you

  • Finds the hospitals, fire stations and sheriff nearest your home
  • Draws your routes out, with a second way if the first is blocked
  • Builds your radio plan from the real repeaters near you
  • Prints a binder and a laminated pocket card. Works with the internet off.
See WATCHMAN →$147, one-time purchase
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More free templates:

Emergency Binder Checklist coming soonP.A.C.E. Plan coming soonFamily Radio Plan coming soonGo-Bag Checklist coming soon

Questions

Family emergency plan FAQ

How often should we update our family emergency plan?

At least twice a year, and any time a phone number, school, job or address changes. Write the date on page 1 each time.

Who should have a copy?

Every adult, every child old enough to carry one, your out-of-town contact, and anyone on your pick-up list.

How is this different from other free family plan forms?

Many short forms, including the government's, cover contacts, meeting places and medical basics. Ours also gives four ways to reach each other, in order, and what everyone does if they hear nothing. The complete plan adds everything else, from medicines to wallet cards.

Should we use the quick plan or the complete plan?

Start with the quick plan: it takes about 20 minutes and covers what matters most. When you have two or three evenings, fill in the complete plan. It adds each person's details and medicines, your area's risks, staying home or leaving, jobs for everyone, practice and wallet cards.

Do we need a radio?

No. Write whatever backup you have. A family radio is a good one: GMRS radios reach farther than walkie-talkies, and one GMRS license from the FCC covers your whole family, with no test.

Can I type into it?

Yes. Open the PDF on a computer, click a line and type, then print. Or print it blank and write on it.