Family emergency communication plan
During a crisis you want direct contact with your family. With a good emergency plan and MeshCore everyone knows what to do
Why every family in the Netherlands needs an emergency plan
During a disaster, major power outage or evacuation, communication is crucial. Where is everyone? Are they safe? Do we need to evacuate? Without a plan, chaos and panic arise.
A family emergency communication plan ensures everyone knows what to do, how to stay in contact, and where to meet. This provides peace of mind and increases the chance everyone stays safe.
Why is a communication plan essential?
⏱️ Time is crucial
During a crisis you must act quickly. No time to think about who is where or how to reach someone.
📵 Networks fail
WhatsApp, calling, SMS – everything can fail. You need a backup communication method that always works.
👨👩👧👦 Family is scattered
Children at school, partner at work, grandparents elsewhere. Everyone must know how to make contact.
🏠 Agree on meeting point
If your house isn't safe, where do you meet? Everyone must know this in advance.
Your family emergency plan in 5 steps
Create this emergency plan together with your family. Print it and keep it with your emergency kit:
Step 1: Collect contact information
Make a list of all important contacts – also on paper (phone can be dead):
- • All family members (name, phone number, work address/school)
- • Emergency contacts (grandparents, neighbors, friends)
- • Emergency services (112, municipal emergency line)
Step 2: Agree on meeting points
Agree on two fixed meeting points for when the house isn't safe:
- • Nearby: for example the big tree at the neighbors, the park down the street
- • Far away: for when the entire neighborhood must be evacuated (e.g. family's house in another city)
- • Plan a route there and discuss how everyone gets there
Step 3: Determine communication methods
Agree HOW to communicate when normal methods fail. MeshCore is perfect for this:
- • Primary: MeshCore mesh network (works without internet/power)
- • Secondary: SMS (sometimes still works when calling doesn't)
- • Tertiary: leave written message at agreed location
Step 4: Divide responsibilities
Who does what in a crisis situation?
- • Who picks up children from school/daycare?
- • Who grabs the emergency kit?
- • Who contacts vulnerable family members (elderly, sick)?
Step 5: Test and practice the plan
A plan that hasn't been practiced doesn't work during stress:
- • Test your MeshCore devices: can you reach each other?
- • Practice the route to meeting points
- • Discuss the plan 2x per year, especially with children
MeshCore: reliable family communication
MeshCore is especially suitable for family emergency plans because it works when other communication fails:
Send direct messages
Send text messages to specific family members. Like WhatsApp, but without internet.
Long battery life
Days to weeks active on one battery. Your family stays reachable during extended crisis.
Share location
Share your GPS location so family knows where you are. Crucial during evacuations.
Private and secure
Messages between family members are encrypted. Nobody else can read them.
Real-world examples: family emergency plan in action
Scenario: Major power outage during workday
Power fails, mobile network follows. Partner is at work, children at school. Via MeshCore you send messages: "Power out, I'm picking up kids, meet at park". Everyone knows what to do. No panic.
Scenario: Evacuation due to flood
Dike breach threatens, municipality calls for evacuation. Via MeshCore: "Go to far meeting point (grandma's house Utrecht), I'll grab emergency kit and dog". Family safely reunites, even without phone network.
Scenario: Child lost during storm
Heavy storm, child doesn't come home from school. Normally you'd call, but network is overloaded. Via MeshCore you ask other parents: "Has anyone seen Emma?". Turns out she's sheltering at friend's house.
Frequently asked questions
Should each family member have a MeshCore device?
Ideally every adult and older children have one. For young children you can share one family device, or they carry it in their school bag for emergencies.
How do you explain this to children?
Make it a game: "If the phone doesn't work, we have a special emergency radio". Let them practice sending messages. Children often find it exciting and cool. More tips on the family page.
What if one family member doesn't have a device with them?
That's why you have multiple layers in your plan: meeting points, written messages, communicating via neighbors. MeshCore is the best option, but not the only one.
How often should you update the plan?
At least 2x per year. During changes (moving, new phone, child to high school) update immediately. Put it in your calendar.
Can you use MeshCore outside crisis situations?
Absolutely! Use it at festivals, camping, hiking in nature. The more you use it normally, the better you can handle it when it's really needed.
What does it cost to equip your family with MeshCore?
A device costs from €50. For a family of 4 in the Netherlands: circa €200 one-time. No subscription, no monthly costs. Small investment for great peace of mind.
Start your family emergency plan today
A family emergency plan provides peace and certainty. You know you can reach each other, even when everything fails. With MeshCore you have reliable communication that always works.