Before we discuss the ERP, we need to consider when you would use it. The most likely scenario is if there is an event where you can’t get to your home or to the IRP near your home. A flood, wildfire, earthquake, etc. could cause this.
Thus, you need a location where your A-Team will meet. This place is where they will automatically go if there is no communication. After major disasters, many people rue that they didn’t have such a spot picked out because they spent many hours and even days separated and wondering about each other’s status. (Note- this is if they didn’t have, or couldn’t use, the out of area point of contact).
There are no hard and fast rules when you should utilize the ERP. Every situation is going to be different. The key is at the very least pick the ERP and make sure everyone knows where it is. It cannot be chosen after the emergency has begun.
You can choose the house of a friend/relative that is out of the immediate area of your home. Someone’s school or work place. A noticeable terrain feature in a park. An intersection. It is not a place to hide; the BOHS is that. This should be a point easily identifiable and that everyone can get to.
Choose the ERP based on the Area Study you’ve just done. If your most likely threat is tsunami, you pick an ERP out of range of that event. The same with a flood. It should be out of the range of the most likely threats, yet a point where everyone in your A-Team can get to.
There are apps that can be used to help locate family members; however, like every other thing associated with your cell phone they require power, cell coverage, etc. Be sure to make sure these apps work and that they are installed on all phones. Be aware that some can be heavy draws on battery life if active. Each has pros and cons so do a little research. I use Road ID on a daily basis when out biking or kayaking, just in case. I like that it will send a notification to my emergency contact if I am stationery for more than a designated period or pass an overall time limit, along with tracking my location.
You use the ERP in conjunction with your out of state emergency contact.
This is excerpted from: The Green Beret Preparation and Survival Guide
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