Planning for Emergency Communication
This is a practical, family-friendly Emergency Communications Plan that you can print, practice, and actually use. It includes: quick guidance, radio setup (FRS/GMRS), example location code names, NATO/phonetic alphabet use, simple SOPs for check-ins, and operational security (OPSEC) rules.
1) Short summary — what you need right now
- Use inexpensive FRS radios for license-free neighborhood comms and short-range check-ins. No license required for FRS.
- Use GMRS for longer range, repeaters, or vehicle/base radios — only if someone in your household holds a valid GMRS license. GMRS requires an FCC license; it covers your immediate family and is valid for a term (license details and fees available via FCC/registration sites).
- FRS and GMRS share the same 22 channel numbers; power and repeater privileges differ (FRS: no repeaters, limited handheld power; GMRS: higher power, repeaters allowed by licensed operators).
2) Radio basics & practical setup
What to buy
- Two pairs of decent handhelds (mid-range 2W) labeled for each family member. Choose models with: NOAA weather scan, 22 FRS/GMRS channels, CTCSS/DCS tone options (tone = nuisance filter, not encryption).
- Optional: 1 vehicle/base GMRS mobile radio (if you’ll get a GMRS license).
Programming suggestions (simple, family friendly)
- Pick a primary channel (e.g., Channel 1) and a backup channel (Channel 6) for general check-ins.
- Reserve one channel for “family emergency net” (e.g., Channel 2) and one for “scouting/field ops” (e.g., Channel 3).
- If you have a licensed GMRS operator and a repeater nearby you plan to use, keep repeater channels and offsets documented — FRS radios can’t use repeaters.
Power & spares
- Keep 2× full spare batteries or a USB power bank+adapter for each handheld.
- Store small solar charger and 12V adapter for vehicle radios.
3) Net organization — simple format you can practice
Roles:
- Net Control (NC) — whoever organizes the radio net (home base by default).
- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3… — family members (or use code names — see section 5).
Net procedures (short):
- NC announces: “Family Net on Channel 2. Net Control is Home Base. Check-ins begin at 18:00 local.”
- Each unit checks in with:
Unit name — status — location code(see examples). Example: “Home Base, this is Unit Red. Status green. Location: Oak Hub.” - NC repeats critical items and closes net: “Net closed. Maintain radio silence except for emergencies.”
Use simple status words:
- Status Green — OK, no assistance needed
- Status Yellow — Non-urgent need (supplies, minor issue)
- Status Red — Immediate help required
Always start transmissions with the net name and end with “over” if expecting a reply. Use short, clear phrases; keep transmissions short to conserve airtime and batteries.
4) Radio etiquette & protocol (what to say, what not to say)
- Start with the phonetic alphabet for clarity: “Unit Alpha” — or “Unit A” spoken as “Unit Alpha.” (See NATO table below.)
- Use plain language — avoid long narratives on radio (sound carries and could be overheard).
- No sensitive details over open radio (avoid names, exact supply counts, medical details). Use coded phrases. See OPSEC section.
- When someone else is talking, do not transmit (wait for a pause + say your callsign).
- If you hear life-threatening emergency, use “Emergency — Medical/Fire/Police” then give location code and short description.
5) NATO phonetic alphabet (use for clarity)
| LETTER | PRONOUNCIATION |
|---|---|
| A | Alfa |
| B | Bravo |
| C | Charlie |
| D | Delta |
| E | Echo |
| F | Foxtrot |
| G | Golf |
| H | Hotel |
| I | India |
| J | Juliett |
| K | Kilo |
| L | Lima |
| M | Mike |
| N | November |
| O | Oscar |
| P | Papa |
| Q | Quebec |
| R | Romeo |
| S | Sierra |
| T | Tango |
| U | Uniform |
| V | Victor |
| W | Whiskey |
| X | X-ray |
| Y | Yankee |
| Z | Zulu |
Example: “Unit B checking in — Bravo, location Oak Hub — status green, over.”
6) Location code names — how to choose & sample list
Use short code names tied to local, easy visual references. Store a small printed codebook in your emergency binder. Keep the codebook offline and share with family only.
Guidelines:
- Pick categories (Trees, Colors, Landmarks, Rooms) and assign fixed codes.
- Keep them short (1 word), unambiguous, and consistent.
Sample families (pick one set for your area):
- Trees: Oak Hub, Pine Ridge, Maple Corner, Birch Crossing
- Colors: Red Unit (home), Blue Unit (car), Green Unit (neighbor)
- House zones: Home Base, Garage Annex, Backyard High, Front Porch
- Grid map (if you map neighborhood): Sector Alpha, Sector Bravo, Sector Charlie
Example usage: “Home Base to Unit Blue, confirm ETA to Maple Corner. Over.”
7) Operational Security (OPSEC) — what you must do
Radio comms are not private; anyone with a receiver can listen. Treat radio as public.
Rules:
- No personal/identifying info: Avoid names, SSNs, full addresses, or medical conditions. Use location codes and status colors.
- Use code phrases for sensitive needs: e.g., “Status Yellow” = non-urgent supply request (trigger private call or meet). “Status Red” = immediate help.
- Use short, vital transmissions only: keep nets brief and scheduled.
- Practice “radio silence” windows if you must hide movement or to conserve battery.
- Secure your codebook — printed in binder and memorize critical codes; do not store full map + codes in an easily found place.
- Assume monitoring by others — never broadcast exact valuables, amounts, or travel routes.
8) Example check-in script (use in drills)
NC: “Family Net, Channel 2. Net Control Home Base. This is a scheduled check-in. Over.” Unit Red: “Home Base, Unit Red checking in. Status Green. Location: Oak Hub. Over.” Unit Blue: “Home Base, Unit Blue checking in. Status Yellow. Location: Maple Corner. Need small resupply at next meeting point. Over.” NC: “Home Base copies Unit Red and Unit Blue. Unit Blue — request acknowledged, remain on channel for two minutes. Net closed at 18:07. Over.”
9) Practice & drills
- Do a weekly short check-in (2 minutes). Do a longer monthly exercise (30–60 minutes) with movement to test comms.
- Practice low-light, noisy, and long-range drills. Rotate who is NC.
- Record lessons learned and adjust channels, code names, or net schedule accordingly.
10) Quick Grab Printable — 1 page (copy/paste or print)
EMERGENCY RADIO QUICK GRAB (Family Plan)
PRIMARY CHANNEL: Channel 2 (FRS/GMRS) BACKUP CHANNEL: Channel 6
NET CONTROL: Home Base
CALLSIGN RULES:
- Use Unit names: Unit Red, Unit Blue, Unit Green
- Use NATO alphabet for letters (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie)
- Status words: GREEN = OK, YELLOW = non-urgent, RED = immediate help
SAMPLE TRANSMISSION FORMAT:
Net Control announcement ->
Unit ID — Status — Location Code -> Over
LOCATION CODES:
Home Base, Oak Hub, Maple Corner, Pine Ridge
OPSEC:
- Do NOT say names, amounts, full addresses or medical details.
- Use code phrases and keep transmissions short.
POWER:
- Each handheld: 2 spare batteries or power bank
- Store solar USB + vehicle adapter
DRILLS:
- Weekly 2-minute check-in; monthly 30-60 minute exercise
LEGAL NOTE:
- FRS: no license required. GMRS requires FCC license to transmit on GMRS power/repeater privileges. Check FCC for details.
11) Notes about GMRS/FRS legal & technical points (important)
- FRS radios: license-free; 22 shared channels in the 462–467 MHz range. FRS handhelds cannot use repeaters and have power/antenna constraints.
- GMRS radios: require an FCC license to use GMRS privileges (higher power and repeater access). If you plan to use a GMRS mobile or repeater, register/obtain the license for your household before transmitting on GMRS-only privileges.
- FRS and GMRS share channel numbers; behavior (range, repeater use) depends on your device class and license. FRS users can usually hear GMRS transmissions but may not be able to use repeaters or higher power channels.
12) Example starter checklist (gear)
- 2–4 handheld FRS/GMRS radios (labelled)
- 2× spare batteries per radio or USB power bank + adapters
- 1 vehicle GMRS mobile radio (optional, license required)
- Printed codebook & quick grab list in binder
- Small solar USB charger + vehicle 12V adapter
- Pen, paper, laminated map with location codes
- Waterproof pouch for radios and documents
13) Final recommendations
- Pick your simple plan and practice it. Radios are only valuable if everyone knows how to use them.
- Keep your codebook short. Commit the top 4–6 location codes and status words to memory.
- Get the GMRS license only if you need it. If you expect to rely on repeaters or longer-range mobile radios, one license is a sensible investment; otherwise FRS handhelds are great and legal without licensing.
- Run monthly drills, fix what breaks, and update the codebook.