How to Create a Family PACE Plan for a Crisis
As a parent, the safety of my family is always my top priority, and part of that responsibility means making sure we’re prepared for the unexpected. Emergencies like hurricanes, wildfires, and blackouts can disrupt the usual ways we communicate.
Whether it’s a power outage, severe weather, or a local incident that affects phone lines and the internet. That’s why our family has a PACE plan—Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency methods for staying connected when we need it most. This layered approach ensures that even if one method of communication fails, we have other reliable ways to reach each other.
Teaching our kids the plan not only prepares them for emergencies but also gives us all peace of mind, knowing that there’s a set way to check in and reunite, no matter the situation.
We’ve found the PACE plan especially useful for different scenarios, from small disruptions to serious emergencies. For instance, during Hurricane Helene, our cell phone signals were spotty, the internet went out, and we lost power. But with having a plan in place for emergencies, we were able to communicate with family and get information about the changing weather conditions.
What is a Family PACE Plan?
A Family Communication PACE Plan is a structured approach to ensure reliable communication among family members during emergencies. The acronym PACE stands for Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency, representing a hierarchy of communication methods to be used if one layer fails.
What Does PACE Stand For?
Developed by the military, a PACE plan has four layers:
Primary
Alternate
Contingency
Emergency
Primary
The first layer of the PACE plan is Primary. This what you would expect primary communication to be today. We mostly use our smartphones to call, text, and send email. So our family’s first choice for communication is to use a smartphone.
In my definition of Primary, I also include the apps you typically use for day-to-day communication. This can be Telegram, Gmail, or even Snapchat. While you may not consider a social media app to be a communication method, that is exactly what it is designed to do.
Anything that can be done on a smartphone – calling, text, apps is considered primary communication for your family. If you are, understandably, concerned about your kids having a smartphone, I suggest you consider Troomi Wireless. Troomi offers a kid-safe smartphone that parents can trust. My son uses one and you can read my full review.
Alternate
My definition of Alternate communication is going to vary from what most people think. I suggest using a home phone as an alternate form of contact. While the home phone use to be the only way to call a family, today that’s not really the case. Most internet providers offer a VoIP home phone that can be used in your home.
This is a great method for alternate communication as it does not require cell service, and many models don’t require power. As a bonus small children can use the home phone to call for help without needing a passcode or searching the house for a phone. As a note, if your home is wired for telephone in the United States, you can still dial 911 with a phone, even if you don’t have home phone service.
If you are not able to get a VoIP home phone, then you might consider getting a cell phone for the house. This can be cheap phone service like Mint Mobile or a prepaid phone from Walmart. Just make sure that the mobile home phone is on a different carrier than your primary phones. That way if AT&T service goes out, you have a Verizon network phone ready to go.
Contingency
Contingency is where the PACE plan gets fun. For contingency I suggest using mobile radios. This can be as simple as a family four pack or as powerful as a HAM radio. So let’s take a look at what might be best for family.
Family Radio Service
You are most likely familiar with Family Radio Service (FRS) devices. These are the multi-pack walkie-talkies made for kids or camping. They have 22 channels to call and receive on with distances of 1-3 miles, depending on conditions and terrain.
FRS radios don’t require a license and can be used for groups to keep in touch in close proximity. They also make car-to-car communication easier if you have to evacuate. Most are powered by AA or AAA batteries or USB charging. They are small and simple to use. I use the BAOFENG GT-18s.
General Mobile Radio Service
You may want to consider General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) for a more robust form of communication. GMRS is a licensed radio service in the that allows people to communicate over short to medium distances, typically up to several miles. Unlike FRS radios, GMRS radios are generally more powerful and can transmit over greater distances due to their higher wattage. This extended range is especially useful for families who want more reliable communication. Plus, the operate on the same 22 channels as FRS, so they can be used together.
To use GMRS, individuals must get a GMRS license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ,which is currently valid for 10 years and covers all family members within a household. I got my GMRS license for $35 and it covers my wife and son as well. You’ll be assigned an official call sign for the license that you’ll need to remember. It is important to note that in an emergency GMRS radio bands can be used without a license. You can also listen to (monitor) GMRS frequencies without a license.
Repeaters are special towers that rebroadcast GMRS signals, allowing users to communicate over tens of miles in some cases, which is particularly helpful in rural areas or for emergency preparedness. This way you can communicate with others over a greater distance.
I use the BAOFENG UV-9G which is a popular model. This provides 4.5ish watts of power to communicate over several miles depending on the conditions. I do suggest upgrading your antenna to a specific GMRS antenna like the Nagoya 771G. I saw great results with the Wouxon ANO-050G mobile GMRS antenna which was suggested by the folks at BuyTwoWayRadios.com. Upgrading your antenna is money well spent. Overall, GMRS is my pick for contingency communications.
WARNING: GMRS radio can become an addicting hobby.
Armature Radio
Amateur radio, also known as “ham radio,” is a hobby and service that allows licensed individuals, known as “ham operators,” to use specific radio frequencies for communication. This type of radio service is regulated by the FCC, which grants licenses to individuals after they pass a test on radio theory, operation, and regulations.
Ham radio frequencies are diverse, covering many different bands within the radio spectrum, which can support communication over short distances or worldwide, depending on the frequency, power, and equipment used. This ability to provide communication when cell networks and the internet are down makes amateur radio a valuable tool for emergency preparedness.
Currently I am studying for my Ham license, and I own the BAOFENG UV-9R Pro. I chose this one for its reliability and waterproof construction. Also, the accessories are interchangeable with the UV-9G GMRS radio to help save money. It is important to note that in an emergency Ham radio bands can be used without a license. You can also listen to (monitor) Ham frequencies without a license.
Emergency
The Emergency part of a PACE plan is the last line of communication when all other methods—Primary, Alternate, and Contingency—have failed. This stage of planning is crucial for situations where severe disruptions prevent family members from reaching each other by phone, internet, or radio.
Emergency plans should focus on pre-arranged, non-technology-based methods to reunite or communicate critical information. For instance, families can identify physical meeting locations, such as a parking lot, a trusted neighbor’s home, or a nearby landmark, where everyone can gather if all other forms of communication fail.
By designating these meeting points in advance, family members have a clear, reliable way to find each other, even in a situation where they can’t communicate directly. It’s also helpful to provide children with written instructions or maps, especially if they are older and might be traveling alone. These steps ensure that even in a worst-case scenario, family members have a dependable, structured way to reunite.
When creating the Emergency part of the plan, families should also think about reaching out to an out-of-town contact. This contact could be a relative or friend who lives outside the immediate area and can serve as a relay point for information. If family members cannot reach each other directly, they can each call this designated person to check in, knowing they can receive updates on others’ statuses through them.
Powering Your PACE Plan
In most of these emergencies we assume that we will not have power. In the first three phases of the PACE plan we are reliant on devices that need power to function. If using handheld radios like the Baofengs noted above, you will need to make sure they are charged and ready for an emergency.
To power your PACE devices, consider getting a portable power station like a Bluetti EB3A.
I used this one during Hurricane Helene and it functioned well. After the storm I realized that having two units would be better so my family can use one to power devices and another to power lights, fans, and other necessities. For that, I got an Anker 535 Portable Power Station which was an upgrade.
Conclusion: The Family PACE Plan
Having a PACE plan is one of the most practical steps a family can take to ensure they stay connected and safe during an emergency. From minor disruptions like power outages to larger-scale events like severe weather or local incidents, a PACE plan provides a clear path for communication when everyday methods may not work.
By planning and practicing Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency forms of communication, each family member will know exactly what to do, where to go, and how to connect with loved ones. A PACE plan helps families stay prepared, reduce panic, and navigate unexpected challenges with confidence.
Emergencies are often unpredictable, and no one wants to be caught unprepared when critical communication is needed most. To keep up with more safety tips, family protection strategies, and digital insights, sign up for updates from The Secure Dad.
