Comms Plan: Family & Team Preparedness

Objective

Create a simple, durable communications plan (PACE) so your family or team can coordinate when networks are down or jammed. Short, repeatable messages beat long, perfect ones.

Scenario (Example)

Example: Citywide power outage with overloaded cell networks. Family is split between work, home, and school. You have text sporadically, FRS radios at home, and one power bank.

PACE Framework

• Primary: SMS group text (low bandwidth, often works when calls don’t).
• Alternate: App push/DM (if data works) or email if on Wi‑Fi.
• Contingency: FRS/GMRS radio (Channel/CTCSS plan).
• Emergency: Physical message board at a pre-defined meeting point.

Step-by-Step Plan

1. Contact Sheet (setup). Print and laminate: names, numbers, radio channel/code, out-of-area contact, two rendezvous points (near/far), school/office addresses.
2. Check-in Windows. Pick three times daily (08:00, 12:00, 18:00). Everyone tries Primary first, then Alternate, then radios.
3. Message Format (BRIEF): Who–Where–Status–Needs–Next. Example: “WILLIE—HOME—OK—WATER LOW—HEADING TO DAD’S 1800.”
4. Out-of-Area Relay. If local networks fail, each person texts the out-of-area contact who relays updates between members.
5. Radio Basics. FRS: pick a channel + privacy code. Use call signs (short names). “Over” to end a transmission. Keep it under 20 seconds.
6. Power Discipline. Phones in airplane mode; radios on low power unless needed; one device charging at a time.

Example Channel Plan

FRS Ch 3 / CTCSS 18 — “Home”
FRS Ch 7 / CTCSS 18 — “Away”
18:00 daily — priority check-in window
Call sign format: First name

Real Example

During a windstorm outage, a family used the 12:00 and 18:00 windows to check in. One member texted the out-of-area aunt, who relayed status to the others when local SMS lagged. FRS on Channel 3/C18 worked across the neighborhood for coordination.

Checklist

• Laminated contact sheet in each bag
• Out-of-area contact confirmed
• FRS/GMRS radios labeled with the channel plan
• Power bank + cables; spare AA/AAA

Contingencies

• Network returns briefly → send one consolidated update, not a flood.
• No radios → leave a written note at rendezvous board with time/date and next move.
• Security concern → use pre-agreed code words for “not safe at home.”

After-Action

Run a 7-day test: three windows per day using only your plan. Log failures (dead batteries, unclear messages) and fix them.

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