All military installations are required to create and maintain an emergency family assistance plan, which helps protect military families and other Department of Defense personnel. This plan helps ensure that your environment is safe and mission-ready after a disaster. Find out about your installation’s plan so you can be ready if disaster strikes.
At each new duty station, become familiar with the disasters that could occur in that area. Ask about the emergency procedures in place on your installation or in the community you live in. Make sure to sign up for installation and community alerts.
Each military installation must conduct a yearly emergency preparedness test as part of its installation emergency management plan. Your installation’s plan usually includes:
- Locations for an emergency family assistance center
- Procedures for providing services and training
- Drilling exercises to prepare for an emergency
An emergency family assistance center offers guidance, services and information on:
- Medical triage and medical services
- Religious services
- Counseling
- Housing or temporary lodging
- Legal services
- Transportation
- Child and youth services
- Financial services
- Personnel location services
During an emergency or disaster, the assistance centers must be:
- Safe
- Secure
- Large enough to hold families
- Large enough to provide important services
Your local Red Cross also provides assistance for military members and their families after an emergency or disaster.
After a disaster, please ensure to account for yourself and your family through your service’s Personnel Accountability and Assessment System.
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