Family Protocols & Crisis Coordination
The most common emergency failure isn't resources: it's no plan.
Why this pillar matters
A family without tested protocols makes the most important decisions under the worst conditions. Written plans that have never been practiced, roles that were never assigned, and dependents who were never prepared: these are the gaps that turn manageable emergencies into catastrophic ones. We evaluate whether your family has the coordination infrastructure to execute under pressure, not just the intention.
What we evaluate
The five specific areas assessed within this pillar.
Written family communication plan: methods, contacts, rally points, offline contingency
Dependent readiness: age-appropriate training, rapid deployment kits, independent capability
Emergency drills: frequency, scenario coverage, debrief and plan updates
Crisis decision tree: authority assignments, pre-authorized actions by severity
Role assignments: explicit crisis roles for every household member, written and practiced
What your score means
After completing the questionnaire, your Family Protocols & Crisis Coordination score falls into one of five bands. Here is what each level indicates.
Critical (0–19)
Your family is unprepared to coordinate in a crisis. No plans, no drills, no assigned roles: confusion is guaranteed.
At Risk (20–39)
Some awareness but no tested system. A real emergency would expose the gaps at exactly the worst moment.
Developing (40–59)
Written plans exist but drills are lacking, roles are unclear, or dependent readiness has not been fully addressed.
Prepared (60–79)
Your household has real plans, and parts of them are shared. What remains is making them household knowledge rather than one person's knowledge: written, findable, and practiced at least once.
Resilient (80–100)
Strong family coordination: written plans, practiced drills, clear roles, and dependents who know what to do.
Free resources for this area
- Family Emergency Communication Plan (Ready.gov)
A fillable one-page plan: who calls whom, where you meet, the out-of-town contact.
ready.gov - Ready.gov: Make a Plan
The four questions every household plan answers.
ready.gov - Ready Georgia
The state's guidance for Georgia hazards, with pages for older Georgians and pets.
gema.georgia.gov - Eldercare Locator
The federal line (1-800-677-1116) that connects you to local services for an older parent.
eldercare.acl.gov - AARP caregiving resources
Guides for family caregivers, including the state-by-state Prepare to Care guide.
aarp.org
Free Assessment
See where you stand across all eight pillars.
The 40-question assessment is free, takes about 12 minutes, and delivers a scored report to your inbox immediately.
Take the Assessment