Creating an Emergency Communications Plan for Your Family

Editor's Note: The following news release was issued by Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek as the latest in a series of weekly safety messages.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office operates one of the largest 911 dispatch centers in the Upper Midwest.

When disaster strikes, it can be difficult to communicate with authorities, family, schools, and employers—due to overloaded communications networks or downed cell towers.

Use the tips below to get started on a family communications plan in case of a disaster such as a tornado, flooding, large fire, or other emergency.

• Identify an out-of-town contact. Sometimes it’s easier to place a long-distance call when an emergency strikes. Instruct family to call the contact to “check in.” Make sure that every member of your family knows the contact’s phone number.
• Label your emergency contacts as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your cell phone contact list. First responders are trained to look for this if you are in an accident.
• Teach family members to text. Text messages often get around network disruptions, where a phone call might not be possible.
• In case electricity is down, be ready to have an alternate way of charging your cell phone—such as a charger in your vehicle.
• Consider maintaining a traditional landline in order to ensure telephone service in case of cell phone disruptions. A landline offers a reliable method to call 911 when necessary which is an especially important consideration for households with young children or people with special medical concerns.
• Remember that households with landline telephones that use VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol service) may not have phone service if there’s a power outage. 

For more information, visit www.ready.gov