Make A Plan
Know what your household will do before an emergency happens.
Wildfires, flooding, severe weather, power outages, and road closures can disrupt daily life with little warning. During an emergency, family members may be separated at work, school, or across different parts of the community. Roads may close unexpectedly, communication may become difficult, and familiar routines can change quickly.
A family emergency plan helps your household respond calmly and move quickly when every minute matters.
Your plan does not need to be complicated. It simply needs to answer five important questions:
Your Plan Should Answer
- Where will we go?
- How will we get there?
- How will we communicate?
- Who is responsible for what?
- What if we are separated?
1. Choose Your Evacuation Destinations
Know where your household will go before an evacuation order is issued.
Identify at least two safe destinations outside the affected area. Your first option may be a trusted friend or family member’s home. Your second option should be an official emergency shelter or alternate safe location.
Primary Destination
Your first evacuation destination outside the immediate danger area.
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
Secondary Destination
A backup location if your primary destination is inaccessible.
- Shelter location or alternate address
- Phone number
- Directions if cell service is unavailable
Out-of-Area Contact
Designate one trusted person outside of Ruidoso that every member of your household can contact to check in during an emergency.
Local phone systems may become overloaded during a disaster. An out-of-area contact is often easier to reach.
2. Know Your Evacuation Routes
Road closures, flooding, wildfire activity, and traffic congestion can quickly make normal travel routes unusable.
Every household should know at least two ways out of their neighborhood and out of the Ruidoso area.
Your Plan Should Include
- A primary evacuation route from your home
- An alternate route if your primary route is blocked
- Evacuation routes from workplaces and schools
- Fuel plans during wildfire and flood season
3. Create a Communication Plan
Communication systems may become unreliable during emergencies. Planning ahead can help your household stay connected and reduce uncertainty.
Establish a Check-In Protocol
Every household member should know who to contact, when to check in, and what information to share.
- “Evacuated safely.”
- “At meeting point.”
- “Heading to primary destination.”
Choose Meeting Locations
Select one meeting location near your home and one meeting location outside your neighborhood.
These locations should be easy for all household members to recognize and access.
Communication Tips
- Text messages often work when voice calls cannot.
- Keep phones fully charged during fire and flood season.
- Store a car charger or portable battery pack in every vehicle.
- Write important phone numbers on paper in case devices fail.
4. Assign Household Responsibilities
Emergencies move quickly. Assigning responsibilities ahead of time helps prevent confusion and forgotten tasks during an evacuation.
Every adult household member should know their role before an emergency occurs.
Assign Responsibilities For
- Who grabs the go bags
- Who is responsible for pets
- Who picks up children from school
- Backup pickup contacts for children
- Who checks on elderly family members or neighbors
- Who secures the home if time permits
5. Plan for Special Considerations
Some households may need additional planning and extra evacuation time.
Children
Know your child’s school emergency procedures and reunification policies.
- Current emergency contacts
- Updated phone numbers
- Approved pickup contacts
Elderly Family Members
Plan additional time if evacuation assistance is needed.
Coordinate transportation ahead of time and discuss evacuation expectations before an emergency occurs.
Medical Equipment
If someone in your household depends on powered medical equipment, plan for backup power sources and priority utility notifications when available.
Medications
Keep a current medication list, dosages, physician information, and pharmacy contact information.
Pack at least a 7-day medication supply whenever possible.
Download Your Family Emergency Plan Template
Use the official Ready.gov Family Emergency Plan template to document your household emergency plan.
Print copies and keep them in your home, vehicles, and go bags.
Download the Family Emergency Plan TemplateReview Your Plan Every Year
Emergency plans should be updated regularly. Phone numbers change. Children grow older. Households move, grow, and change routines over time.
Review and update your family emergency plan before every fire season — ideally no later than April 1 each year.
Preparedness is not about fear. It is about giving your household clarity, confidence, and a safer path forward during an emergency.