PACE communications plan
Primary, alternate, contingency and emergency methods for staying connected.
Critical caution: Radio frequencies, licences and permitted power vary by jurisdiction.
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Outcome
- Maintain contact using planned alternatives and disciplined messages
Survival lens: Prepared instincts replace frantic channel-hopping with a rehearsed PACE plan: primary, alternate, contingency and emergency.
Before you begin
- Confirm local licensing rules
- Program and label channels before the emergency
- Agree check-in times
What you need
- Battery radio
- Legal two-way radios
- Spare power
- Frequency/contact card
- Message log
Step-by-step procedure
- Define the layers. Write one method for each PACE level. Include a no-technology option such as a notice board or runner.
- Set the schedule. Use short listening windows at agreed times to conserve batteries. Define how long to wait and what a missed check-in triggers.
- Format every message. State to, from, date/time/timezone, location, priority, facts, action requested and next contact.
- Use plain language. Avoid unexplained codes. Spell names, read back numbers and distinguish observation from rumour.
- Control the net. One station coordinates busy group traffic. Life safety outranks logistics and routine welfare.
- Log and preserve. Write messages, source and action. Keep the radio dry and power it down between scheduled watches when appropriate.
How to check it is working
- Everyone has the same channel card
- Times include timezone
- Backup methods do not share the same failure
- Important messages are read back
Common mistakes
- Transmitting continuously
- Using invented codes no one remembers
- Failing to identify location
- Publishing sensitive stock or medical details
Sources and further reading
How this guide was checked
Editorial synthesis: Editorial synthesis of communications practice
Independent specialist review: not yet completed. How review works.
Last updated: Nov 2026 · edition 1.0.
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