Communications · Plan: who must reach whom, and how · comms-2

Write a PACE communications plan

PACE stands for Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency. CISA guidance says each level must use a different path, so one failure (for example, the mobile network) cannot knock out two levels at once.

How

This is the household's single PACE model. Other topics on this platform, such as the safety module, point here instead of repeating it.
For each distance band from comms-1, choose four methods in order. Example for the estate: Primary, talk in person or by intercom; Alternate, licence-free handheld radio; Contingency, a written note left at an agreed spot; Emergency, a runner or an agreed signal.
Example for family far away when networks are down: Primary, satellite messenger; Alternate, amateur HF radio through a licensed operator; Contingency, a message relayed by a neighbour's radio; Emergency, travel to the agreed regional meeting place.
Check independence: texting, email and internet calling all depend on the same data link, so CISA counts them as one path, not three. Put internet-based services (mobile data, satellite internet) in one PACE level at most.
A mobile signal booster only helps while the local mast has power, so it does not add a new path.
Write the trigger for moving down a level, such as 'no reply after two scheduled checks'.
Keep messages short and structured, because lower PACE levels are slower and carry less, as CISA notes.
Print the plan, put one copy by the radios and one in each grab bag (see safety-23).

Do these first

comms-1

Sources

Leveraging the PACE Plan into the Emergency Communications Ecosystem. CISA / SAFECOM and NCSWIC, accessed 2026-11

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