A&FRC provides emergency family assistance during crises Published Jan. 20, 2010 By Senior Airman Kali L. Gradishar 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Nearly every organization has a plan for a crisis, often in the form of checklists, to prepare and guide Airmen in the proper course of action for various situations. The Airman & Family Readiness Center has their own program to ensure families also have resources available and ready during a crisis. When an incident occurs, the Emergency Family Assistance Control Center acts as an information hub for family members when they need it most. "The EFACC was created to ensure smooth continuity of disaster response," said Tech. Sgt. Lisa Rogers, A&FRC Readiness NCO, "and to meet the needs of the community as a one-stop shop. When the commander stands up the EFACC by notifying the director, the rooms (in the A&FRC) are converted into what is needed." Within the EFACC, space is converted to counseling rooms, child care is often provided, and a number of base helping agencies flock to the A&FRC to provide care and services for families. The EFACC team is typically comprised of mental health, legal, public affairs, the A&FRC, Child Development Center, finance, lodging and the American Red Cross. "It benefits Sabers because needs of communication are being met - with any sort of assistance," Sergeant Rogers said. "If they need counseling, a play area for the children or finance support, their needs can be met. "It's a place where people can seek refuge," she added. The EFACC is available for families when the commander deems the service necessary. This includes any sort of natural or general disaster, an aircraft crash, or even a crisis in another location. "Think of Hurricane Katrina. There were family members calling to see what happened and check on family members in the area," Sergeant Rogers said. "In any kind of situation the commander designates a disaster, we would be there to support. " The center depends on the support it receives from base helping agencies, but it also relies on the assistance of volunteers willing to provide their services to the EFACC. The volunteer database includes information about each volunteer and how that person might be able to assist. "Volunteers are an asset to the EFACC, providing care to family members in ways such as receiving people as they come through the door, providing logistical support or just being there in case a volunteer is needed for something," Sergeant Rogers said. Overall, it's the joint effort between the A&FRC, the helping agencies and volunteers, as well as the foundation of Air Force families, that make the EFACC a valuable tool when disaster response is required. "It's just a place for the community - a refuge for people to go if something did happen," Sergeant Rogers said.