When planning escape routes for emergencies, it’s crucial to prioritize four distinct options: Primary, Alternate, Contingent, and Emergency (PACE). This guide will walk you through the process of creating a comprehensive escape plan, ensuring you have multiple options available in different scenarios. Start by using paper maps and compasses as backups to GPS devices, which can fail during a crisis. Conduct reconnaissance by driving potential routes during various times of day, including nighttime and low-traffic hours (e.g., 3-4 AM), to identify hazards such as narrow streets, on-street parking, cul-de-sacs, and high-crime zones. Avoid highways during crises due to congestion and monitoring, opting instead for secondary roads that bypass gas stations, hospitals, government buildings, and urban centers. Prioritize rural areas with access to local stores or gas stations for long-term escape routes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Escape Routes

Primary Route

Your primary route should be the most direct and safest option. Use state atlases to identify rural roads, small towns, and farmland. Ensure this route avoids interstates unless necessary, as they are designed for government vehicle access and can be easily blocked. Plan your primary route from both your home and workplace, ensuring bidirectional options for safety.

Alternate Route

An alternate route serves as a secondary option if the primary route is inaccessible. This route should be close to the primary but not so close that it shares the same hazards. For example, if your primary route includes a bridge, your alternate might use a different bridge or a tunnel. Ensure both routes are bidirectional.

Contingent Route

A contingent route is a fallback option that diverges significantly from the primary and alternate routes. This route should be less obvious and less likely to be monitored. Use state atlases to identify lesser-known roads and paths that can serve as contingent routes. These routes should also be bidirectional.

Emergency Route

An emergency route is the last resort and should be used only in extreme situations. This route might involve hidden trails, abandoned roads, or other less conventional paths. Ensure this route is safe and accessible, even if it means using off-road vehicles or hiking.

Establishing Meeting Points and Communication Protocols

Establish hidden meeting points near your destinations and coordinate with others using prearranged signals, radios, and secure communication protocols. Develop a ‘travel security SOP’ that includes: avoiding unsolicited aid to others, maintaining vehicle fuel and supplies, designating a navigator to track progress on paper maps, and testing routes under simulated conditions. For multi-family groups, implement communication protocols with passphrases to verify safety before approaching destinations. Always carry bolt cutters for emergency vehicle access and ensure maps are current and annotated with hazards.

Regular Updates and Contingency Measures

Regularly update your plans (monthly minimum) to account for seasonal changes, infrastructure updates, or new obstacles. Incorporate contingency measures such as concealed approach methods and backup routes. For multi-family groups, ensure all members are aware of the plan and have practiced it under simulated conditions.

Practical Tips and Getting Started

  • Use paper maps and compasses as backups to GPS devices.
  • Conduct reconnaissance by driving potential routes during various times of day.
  • Avoid highways during crises due to congestion and monitoring.
  • Prioritize rural areas with access to local stores or gas stations for long-term escape routes.
  • Ensure both primary and alternate routes are bidirectional.
  • Establish hidden meeting points near your destinations.
  • Coordinate with others using prearranged signals, radios, and secure communication protocols.
  • Develop a ‘travel security SOP’ that includes avoiding unsolicited aid to others.
  • Maintain vehicle fuel and supplies.
  • Designate a navigator to track progress on paper maps.
  • Test routes under simulated conditions.
  • For multi-family groups, implement communication protocols with passphrases to verify safety.
  • Always carry bolt cutters for emergency vehicle access.
  • Ensure maps are current and annotated with hazards.

By following these steps and tips, you can create a robust and adaptable emergency escape plan that covers multiple scenarios and ensures your safety in various crisis situations.

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