Knowing you should run a comms drill and actually running one are two different things, and the gap between them is usually just not having a simple script to follow. Here is one you can use for your first attempt this weekend.
Announce It Like a Fire Drill, Not a Pop Quiz
Tell the family in advance that you are running a comms drill this weekend, what time, and roughly what to expect. A surprise drill sounds appealing but usually just creates confusion and resentment on the first attempt. Save the unannounced version for later, once the basics are solid.
A Simple Script for the First One
- Everyone grabs their assigned radio, already charged, from wherever it’s actually stored
- Turn on, confirm the correct channel, and do a radio check with each family member
- Practice one full status report using your agreed format
- Simulate one problem: a dead battery, a missed check-in, someone unreachable
- Confirm everyone knows the rally point and how to get there
What to Actually Watch For
Note who fumbled the radio, who forgot the channel, and how long the whole thing actually took compared to how long you assumed it would. These specific observations are the entire point of running the drill in the first place, more than the drill itself.
Debrief Immediately, Not Next Week
Talk through what happened right after the drill while it’s still fresh, using the same review process I cover in training your family or group on the communications plan. Waiting even a few days means people forget the exact details that matter most for fixing the plan.
For the fuller picture on building real emergency communications capability, see my Emergency Communications and Preparedness pillar page.