The useful test is simple: can each person say who they will contact, where the paper copy is, and which meeting place fits the situation? Start there. A plain sheet everyone understands is worth more than a detailed binder only its author can navigate.
The useful test is simple: can each person say who they will contact, where the paper copy is, and which meeting place fits the situation? Start there. A plain sheet everyone understands is worth more than a detailed binder only its author can navigate.
The useful test is simple: can each person say who they will contact, where the paper copy is, and which meeting place fits the situation? Start there. A plain sheet everyone understands is worth more than a detailed binder only its author can navigate.
Choose a person, then ask them
Choose a person, then ask them
Choose a person, then ask them
Pick one out-of-area contact your household can check in with if you are separated. Someone outside the affected area may be easier to reach, though that is not guaranteed. Ask whether they are willing to be that person. Explain who might contact them and what information you would like relayed.
Pick one out-of-area contact your household can check in with if you are separated. Someone outside the affected area may be easier to reach, though that is not guaranteed. Ask whether they are willing to be that person. Explain who might contact them and what information you would like relayed.
Pick one out-of-area contact your household can check in with if you are separated. Someone outside the affected area may be easier to reach, though that is not guaranteed. Ask whether they are willing to be that person. Explain who might contact them and what information you would like relayed.
Write down their name and number, along with household members’ numbers. Add relevant school, workplace, caregiver or building contacts. Do not make the sheet an address book of everyone you know. It should be readable when you need one particular number.
Write down their name and number, along with household members’ numbers. Add relevant school, workplace, caregiver or building contacts. Do not make the sheet an address book of everyone you know. It should be readable when you need one particular number.
Write down their name and number, along with household members’ numbers. Add relevant school, workplace, caregiver or building contacts. Do not make the sheet an address book of everyone you know. It should be readable when you need one particular number.
If you live alone, adapt the idea with someone you trust: agree how you will check in and who else they should contact. Roommates can make the same limited agreement without sharing every private detail of their lives.
If you live alone, adapt the idea with someone you trust: agree how you will check in and who else they should contact. Roommates can make the same limited agreement without sharing every private detail of their lives.
If you live alone, adapt the idea with someone you trust: agree how you will check in and who else they should contact. Roommates can make the same limited agreement without sharing every private detail of their lives.
Keep sensitive medical information on a private copy if needed. Do not post a filled-in plan online or put personal numbers in a public comment asking for advice.
Keep sensitive medical information on a private copy if needed. Do not post a filled-in plan online or put personal numbers in a public comment asking for advice.
Keep sensitive medical information on a private copy if needed. Do not post a filled-in plan online or put personal numbers in a public comment asking for advice.
“Meet nearby” leaves too much guessing
“Meet nearby” leaves too much guessing
“Meet nearby” leaves too much guessing
Choose a specific, familiar, accessible place away from the building for a situation requiring you to leave it. Write down the actual landmark or address—not just “outside.” A doorway, lobby or stairwell is not a default evacuation meeting point.
Choose a specific, familiar, accessible place away from the building for a situation requiring you to leave it. Write down the actual landmark or address—not just “outside.” A doorway, lobby or stairwell is not a default evacuation meeting point.
Choose a specific, familiar, accessible place away from the building for a situation requiring you to leave it. Write down the actual landmark or address—not just “outside.” A doorway, lobby or stairwell is not a default evacuation meeting point.
Also agree on an option outside the neighborhood if you cannot return home, and consider an out-of-town option for a wider disruption. The point of planning meeting places at different scales is to match the situation, not to send everyone toward one fixed destination regardless of conditions.
Also agree on an option outside the neighborhood if you cannot return home, and consider an out-of-town option for a wider disruption. The point of planning meeting places at different scales is to match the situation, not to send everyone toward one fixed destination regardless of conditions.
Also agree on an option outside the neighborhood if you cannot return home, and consider an out-of-town option for a wider disruption. The point of planning meeting places at different scales is to match the situation, not to send everyone toward one fixed destination regardless of conditions.
Talk through access and functional needs, help with children or older adults, and pets or service animals. Follow school and workplace arrangements where they apply. Your chosen place must suit the people using it and the event. Local alerts and official instructions take priority over a location printed on your sheet; the paper is not permission to travel into danger.
Talk through access and functional needs, help with children or older adults, and pets or service animals. Follow school and workplace arrangements where they apply. Your chosen place must suit the people using it and the event. Local alerts and official instructions take priority over a location printed on your sheet; the paper is not permission to travel into danger.
Talk through access and functional needs, help with children or older adults, and pets or service animals. Follow school and workplace arrangements where they apply. Your chosen place must suit the people using it and the event. Local alerts and official instructions take priority over a location printed on your sheet; the paper is not permission to travel into danger.
Make the message easy to understand
Make the message easy to understand
Make the message easy to understand
Set up a small household text thread while things are ordinary. Agree on a short status format, such as “Safe — with Sam — at our neighborhood meeting place.” Use the place name your household actually chose.
Set up a small household text thread while things are ordinary. Agree on a short status format, such as “Safe — with Sam — at our neighborhood meeting place.” Use the place name your household actually chose.
Set up a small household text thread while things are ordinary. Agree on a short status format, such as “Safe — with Sam — at our neighborhood meeting place.” Use the place name your household actually chose.
Texts need less bandwidth than voice calls and may get through when a call cannot. They are not guaranteed to arrive, so an unsent message or no reply does not establish anyone’s status. Keep the paper contacts as well as the phone contacts.
Texts need less bandwidth than voice calls and may get through when a call cannot. They are not guaranteed to arrive, so an unsent message or no reply does not establish anyone’s status. Keep the paper contacts as well as the phone contacts.
Texts need less bandwidth than voice calls and may get through when a call cannot. They are not guaranteed to arrive, so an unsent message or no reply does not establish anyone’s status. Keep the paper contacts as well as the phone contacts.
The American Red Cross’s reconnection advice goes beyond collecting numbers: discuss responsibilities, work as a household, and practice. That is the part worth borrowing. Paper is a fallback, not the whole plan.
The American Red Cross’s reconnection advice goes beyond collecting numbers: discuss responsibilities, work as a household, and practice. That is the part worth borrowing. Paper is a fallback, not the whole plan.
The American Red Cross’s reconnection advice goes beyond collecting numbers: discuss responsibilities, work as a household, and practice. That is the part worth borrowing. Paper is a fallback, not the whole plan.
Find the misunderstanding now
Find the misunderstanding now
Find the misunderstanding now
Give everyone a copy for a wallet, bag or notebook, in a format they can use. Keep an accessible copy at home and an offline digital copy if helpful.
Give everyone a copy for a wallet, bag or notebook, in a format they can use. Keep an accessible copy at home and an offline digital copy if helpful.
Give everyone a copy for a wallet, bag or notebook, in a format they can use. Keep an accessible copy at home and an offline digital copy if helpful.
Then try a short, clearly labeled practice. Ask each person to find the contact number and name the meeting place for the scenario you chose. With the contact’s agreement, send a test check-in. Does “the park entrance” mean the same entrance to everyone? Fix that on the sheet.
Then try a short, clearly labeled practice. Ask each person to find the contact number and name the meeting place for the scenario you chose. With the contact’s agreement, send a test check-in. Does “the park entrance” mean the same entrance to everyone? Fix that on the sheet.
Then try a short, clearly labeled practice. Ask each person to find the contact number and name the meeting place for the scenario you chose. With the contact’s agreement, send a test check-in. Does “the park entrance” mean the same entrance to everyone? Fix that on the sheet.
Review it after a move, new roommate, school change or changed number, and practice again. The first useful result is not a perfect form. It is discovering that everyone understands the same plan.
Review it after a move, new roommate, school change or changed number, and practice again. The first useful result is not a perfect form. It is discovering that everyone understands the same plan.
Review it after a move, new roommate, school change or changed number, and practice again. The first useful result is not a perfect form. It is discovering that everyone understands the same plan.
Sources
Sources
Sources
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Put the plan where people can use it
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