Disasters are rarely convenient. They don’t wait until you’re ready. Instead, they often occur when you least expect them to happen. Case in point – you might not be comfortably ensconced at home, with every family member accounted for. This is why it’s important to have a disaster reunification plan for your family.
Establishing a Family Disaster Reunification Plan
The goal is simple. You’re putting together a basic plan for how the members of your family will find each other if disaster hits when you’re scattered to the four winds. In an ideal world, everyone just heads home. But what if that’s just not feasible?
Communications Hub Person
In some disasters, communication between family members might be problematic. Cell towers get overwhelmed, and calls can’t get through. Texting is often a better option. But even then, getting in touch with one another might not be straightforward. Interestingly enough, though, reaching someone who is outside the affected area can be easier. Because of this, nominating a communications hub person is a good idea.
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The idea is to have someone who lives far enough away that they’re unlikely to be tied up in the same situation as you if a crisis occurs. Maybe they live on the other side of the state, or even a state or two away. If an emergency happens and your immediate family members can’t reach one another, they should get in touch with the hub person. He or she can then relay messages and information to everyone as needed and assist with reunification.
Meeting Location
If home isn’t safe and anyone there needs to vacate the area before the rest of the family arrives, you should have a predetermined alternate meeting location. We’re not talking about heading to Grandpa’s cabin, 150 miles away. Just a place known to everyone in the family that’s easy to get to from home. You don’t need to make this complicated. Maybe the gas station you favor in town or the diner down the road a piece would work.
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The plan is that if a family member arrives home and sees everyone has already evacuated, they know to go to the alternate meeting location. They don’t need to hunt for a note or message of any kind. It’s an automatic response and will speed along reunification.
Contact Information
All family members old enough to do so should memorize their address as well as phone numbers for parents, siblings, and other immediate family members. All too often these days, we just rely on our phone’s contact list. But if that phone isn’t working, such as the battery died or it became damaged, you should know the phone numbers for your loved ones.
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Children who are too young to do this should have a laminated contact card stashed in their backpack so that an adult who is assisting them can reach out to you. ID bracelets are another option to consider.
Pets Are Family, Too
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Don’t forget the furry members of the family. Cats and dogs should be microchipped, and the corresponding contact information for you and your family should be kept up to date. From time to time, make a point of taking a photo of yourself with your pet. If you were to become separated, this can go a long way toward proving ownership quickly.
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