72-Hour Grindstone Family Readiness Guide
When the Power is Out Communication Matters
During an emergency, one of the first things people want to know is whether their family and
friends are safe. Unfortunately, storms, power outages, overloaded cell towers, and damaged
infrastructure can make normal communication difficult or impossible.
A communication plan helps your household know how to reach one another, where to meet, and
what to do when phone calls are not going through.
Do Not Rely on One Phone
Cell phones are useful, but they should not be your only
communication plan. During a widespread emergency, cell towers may lose power, networks
may become overloaded, or your phone battery may run down.
Prepare more than one way to receive information and contact others.
Consider including:
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A battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
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Portable battery banks for phones
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Vehicle charging cords
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A written list of important phone numbers
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Local emergency alert notifications
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Two-way radios for family members or neighbors
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Extra batteries stored with your communication equipment
Text Messages May Work When Calls Do Not
During an emergency, text messages often require less network capacity than phone calls. When calls will not connect, send a short text stating where you are, whether you are safe, and what you plan to do next. Keep messages brief so you do not unnecessarily use battery power or overload the network.
Choose an Out-of-Area Contact
Select one trusted person who lives outside your immediate area to serve as a family contact.
If local communication is disrupted, each household member can contact that person and report their location and condition.
The out-of-area contact can then help relay information between family members.
Make sure everyone in the household has that person’s name and number written down, not just saved in a phone.
Establish Meeting Places
Choose at least two meeting locations before an emergency happens:
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One near your home in case you must leave the house quickly
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One outside your neighborhood in case the area is evacuated or inaccessible
When the Power is Out Communication Matters
Every household member should know where to go and how long to wait before moving to the
next planned location.
Keep Important Information on Paper
Phones can be lost, damaged, or left without power.
Keep a waterproof paper copy of important information in your emergency supplies.
Include:
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Family phone numbers
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Emergency contacts
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Medical contacts
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Insurance information
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School and workplace numbers
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Your designated meeting places
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Local emergency management information
Stay Informed
Know how your community communicates warnings and emergency instructions. This may include weather radios, sirens, local radio stations, emergency text alerts,
social media pages, or county emergency management notifications.
Follow verified local sources and avoid spreading unconfirmed information. During an emergency, inaccurate information can create confusion and place others at risk.
This Week’s Preparedness Step
Sit down with your family and create a simple communication plan.
Write down:
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Who everyone should contact
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Where you will meet
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Which out-of-area person will relay information
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How you will receive emergency alerts
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What communication equipment needs to be charged or replaced
Place a copy in your emergency kit, vehicle, and another secure location in your home. A communication plan does not need to be complicated. It simply needs to be created, shared, and practiced before you need it.
Stay ready. Stay safe. Take care of one another.