When emergencies happen, people freeze — not from cowardice, but from having no plan. They spend precious minutes deciding what to grab, where to go, and how to reach family members, all at once under acute stress.
An evacuation plan removes that cognitive load. The decisions are already made. When the moment comes, you execute.
Step 1: Define Two Meeting Points
Meeting Point A — Near Your Home
Used when evacuating the building immediately (fire, gas leak).
- Visible from all exits
- Far enough from the hazard (across the street, at a neighbor’s driveway)
- Easy for children to find independently
Example: “Meet at the big tree at the corner of our street.”
Meeting Point B — Away from the Neighborhood
Used when the entire area is affected (flood, wildfire, civil emergency).
- A recognizable public location 1–5 km from home
- A family member’s or friend’s house outside the area
- Findable without electricity, phone, or GPS
Example: “Meet at Aunt Claire’s house” or “Meet at the public library on Main Street.”
Write both locations down. Every family member should be able to find them independently.
Step 2: Map Evacuation Routes
Identify 2–3 routes from your home to Meeting Point B. A single route may be blocked.
For each route, document:
- Primary path (streets and direction)
- Estimated travel time on foot and by car
- Key waypoints: fuel stations, water sources, landmarks
- What to do if this route is blocked
What makes a good route: Avoids flood zones and major bridges; has multiple fuel stops; works on foot as well as by car.
Print the routes. Paper doesn’t need cell service or GPS.
Step 3: Decide What to Bring
Pre-packed go-bag (2 minutes):
- Copies of vital documents
- 3 days of food and water per person
- Medications (7-day minimum)
- Cash
- Phone charger + power bank
- First aid kit
If you have 10–15 more minutes, add:
- Irreplaceable items (external drive with photos)
- Extra medications
- Pet carrier and food
- Laptop and external drives
Make a written list for 5 min / 15 min / 30 min scenarios. Different emergencies give different time windows.
Step 4: Assign Roles
Clear roles prevent chaos under pressure.
| Person | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Parent 1 | Go-bags + vital documents |
| Parent 2 | Children + pets to Meeting Point A |
| Older child (14+) | Own bag + designated items |
| Younger child (6–13) | Put on shoes, grab backpack, follow parent |
| Child under 6 | Stay with assigned adult |
Everyone should know: how to call emergency services, both meeting points, and who their “buddy” is.
Step 5: Communication Protocol
Phone networks congest during disasters. Plan for communication failure.
Out-of-area contact: Designate someone outside your region. All family members check in with this person. When local calls fail, long-distance often gets through. This person relays information to everyone.
Text before calling: Texts use far less bandwidth and often go through when voice calls fail.
Pre-agreed check-in times: If communication fails, agree on specific times (e.g., every 2 hours) when family members attempt contact.
Written contacts: Print the list. Don’t rely on your phone’s memory.
Step 6: Account for Special Needs
Elderly members: Factor in extra evacuation time; identify assistance needed; include medical equipment.
Infants and young children: Assign one adult per young child; pre-pack child kit (formula, diapers, comfort item); have a recent photo and know their full name and DOB.
Pets: Have carriers pre-assembled; know which shelters accept pets; pre-identify pet-friendly accommodations on your routes.
Medical needs: Life-critical medications in the go-bag; know hospital and pharmacy locations on evacuation routes.
Step 7: Vital Documents Checklist
- Government-issued ID (passport, national ID, driver’s license)
- Proof of address
- Insurance policies (home, health, vehicle)
- Medical records and vaccination history
- Prescription list with dosages
- Birth certificates
- Financial account information
- Written emergency contact list
- Pet vaccination records
Store copies in a waterproof folder in your go-bag. Digital copies on an encrypted USB drive.
Step 8: Test Your Plan
A plan you’ve never practiced will fail under pressure.
How to test without alarming anyone:
- Announce it as a drill: “We’re doing a 5-minute evacuation drill — let’s see how fast we can get to [Meeting Point A].” Frame it as a game for kids.
- Set a timer. Most families are slower than expected.
- Note what was hard to find, who was confused, what was missing.
- Do a drill once or twice a year.
- Drive or walk your evacuation routes so everyone knows them by sight.
Annual Review Checklist
- Meeting points still valid and accessible?
- Routes still clear?
- Go-bag supplies fresh (water rotated, food within date, medications current)?
- Emergency contacts updated?
- Roles updated for age and ability changes?
- Vital documents current?
- New family members, pets, or medical needs?
The Bottom Line
An evacuation plan is one of the highest-leverage preparations you can make. No ongoing cost. No special equipment. A few hours of initial effort. In return: chaos becomes coordinated response.
Make the plan. Write it down. Practice it.
Store your evacuation plan and vital documents — accessible without internet. Download GetPrepKit →