Purpose of the FAC

1. Purpose of the FAC • To provide family members with information about the event. • To provide family members access to services. • To provide a controlled facility where family members can receive and provide information while their privacy is protected. • To allow investigators and the ME/Coroner access to family members to collect antemortem information.

2. Unit Objectives • Describe the importance of providing effective and compassionate services to family members. • Explain how the Family Assistance Center (FAC) is created as the focus of these services. • Describe how the type of event impacts the operation of the FAC. • Describe the functional areas of the FAC.

3. Unit Objectives • Identify who could be involved in setting up and running the FAC. • Describe how to conduct a family briefing. • Resolve special issues surrounding family assistance. • Determine when to close the FAC.

4. FAC Considerations • Proximity to the incident • Privacy, comfort, and security • Functional areas and equipment • Access

5. FAC Considerations Who’s in charge: • Criminal: FBI • Transportation: NTSB • Natural: FEMA

6. FAC Site Selection • Close enough to the incident site to allow the medical examiner or coroner and others to travel easily among the site, morgue, and center. • Far enough from the site that families are not continually exposed to the scene. Plan for an average of 10 family members visiting the FAC for each victim.

7. State • Victims • Approximate number of family members in attendance at FAC events • Comments • Egyptair 990 (1999) • RI • 217 • 600 • Many Egyptian family members did not visit US • Alaska Air 261 (2000) • CA • 88 • 900 • 60 family members in 1st 24 hrs; 900 family members by 4th day. Victims also included airline employees • Executive Air (2000) • PA • 19 • 80 • Most victims from local area • Mid-Air Collision (2000) • NJ • 7 • 30 • Most victims from local area • Gulfstream (2001) • CO • 18 • 35 • Papillon helicopter (2001) • AZ • 6 • 45 • 25 family members and 20 rabbis • American 587 (2001) • NY • 265 • 1000 • Most victims were non-US citizens • Beechcraft (2002) • MN • 8 • 40 • USAirways 5481 (2002) • NC • 21 • 70 • Medevac Helicopter (2004) • TX • 4 • 68 • Includes company employees and NOK • Pinnacle Air (2004) • MO • 2 • 25 • Includes families from houses impacted by crash • Corporate Airlines 5966 (2004) • MO • 13 • 50 • Includes family members from 2 survivors Recent NTSB Accident Family Data

8. Comfort for Families at the FAC • Explain Medical Examiner/Coroner policies and procedures. • Provide professional child care services. • Be sensitive to cultural differences.

9. Comfort for Families at the FAC • Ensure that FAC workers are easily identifiable. • Make medical treatment available. • Think before speaking with families.

10. Family Access Procedures • Designate specific secured entrances for families. • Use check-in and checkout procedures. • Assign each family a personal representative. • Ensure that families are badged in an unobtrusive way so that they do not stand out.

11. FAC Staff Access Procedures • Designate specific entrances for FAC staff. • Use check-in and checkout procedures. • Require identification. • Verify the credentials of volunteers.

12. FAC Functional Areas • Joint Family Support Operations Center and administrative offices • Family briefing area (large general-assembly room)

13. FAC Functional Areas • Family communications center (phone, email, internet access for family members) • Family reception and registration room • Individual rooms for reflection and counseling • Child-care area

14. FAC Functional Areas • Interview area for Medical Examiner/Coroner • Areas for local casework services, including housing, funds, etc. • Individual rooms for next-of-kin notification

15. FAC Functional Areas • Medical area • Transportation area • Food service area

16. Determining FAC Staffing • How many are estimated to be using the FAC? • Are any family members likely to have special needs? • What religions are likely to be represented among the families? • Will meals be prepared and provided on site? • Are sleeping arrangements on site or at a hotel close to the FAC? • Will transportation be needed between the FAC and hotels, restaurants, etc.? • What support services will be required?

17. Conducting Family Briefings • Brief families before the media. • Choose terms carefully. • Be sensitive to ethnic diversity. • Ensure appropriate voice and tone.

18. Conducting Family Briefings • People believe: • 55% Nonverbal (eye contact, body language) • 38% Vocal (volume, pitch, tone) • 7% Verbal (content)

19. Family Briefing Substance • Identification process • Return of personal effects • Explanation for why it takes so long

20. Site Visits and Memorial Services • Should be a coordinated event • May not always be possible

21. Taking Questions at Family Briefings • Set ground rules • Remember that family members: • Come from all walks of life. • May display a wide range of emotions.

22. Closing Statement • Should cover: • A summary of key points. • Any remaining housekeeping items. • The schedule for the next briefing.

23. Considerations for Closing the FAC • The number of families still using the center • The probability that all remains will be recovered, identified, and returned within a reasonable timeframe • Other factors, such as the condition of the remains and decontamination requirements

24. Unit Summary • The FAC is one of the most important facilities required following a mass fatalities incident. • It is important to act effectively when setting up, staffing, and closing the FAC.