Why advance evacuation planning is essential
In an emergency there is no time for improvisation. Stress, fatigue, and communication problems cause even experienced team members to make poor route choices. Pre-planned evacuation routes — with alternative paths in case of blockage — are the backbone of every operational plan.
Primary and alternative routes
Always plan at least two routes from every point to the assembly area: a primary route and an alternative. The alternative route preferably runs over different terrain and crosses different roads, so that a single incident (flooding, road closure, enemy contact) does not block both routes. Code them clearly: green for primary, orange for alternative, red for emergency route via difficult terrain.
Reporting and assembly points
Define clear Assembly Points with MGRS coordinates and a descriptive name. "AP-1 Church Dorpsduin (31UCS8743)" is better than "assembly point 1". Add a photo or description so team members can recognise the location even if they do not know the area. Plan APs outside danger zones and accessible by vehicle.
Time calculation during evacuation
Use MilMap's time calculation with a realistic walking speed. Adjust the speed to the least mobile team member: in SAR operations with casualties, calculate 2 km/h over difficult terrain; for trained military personnel 4–5 km/h. Add buffer time for group consolidation at each checkpoint.
Offline availability
Download the operational area for offline use. Evacuation scenarios often occur in precisely the circumstances where connectivity is lost: storm, fire, military jamming. All team members load the map layers before deployment; the routes are then available without a network.
Briefing and distribution
Export the evacuation map as a PDF route book and print for each team member as a backup. Also distribute the GPX for digital devices. During the deployment briefing, walk through each route so team members know which colour route they follow upon which signal. Practise the evacuation at least once before operational deployment.