Teams ready for any crisis

"The Emergency Family Assistance Center, which is run by the Fleet and Family Support Center, is a one-stop shop for Navy personnel and their families," said Carol Lucius, work-family life coordinator for Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE). "We had teams ready to go in [response] of Hurricane Gustav."

Each team has case managers who can help solve problems, and includes housing and legal personnel, chaplains and Morale, Welfare and Recreation employees.

"We can bring the American Red Cross into the disaster area, as well as Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society," said Lucius. "It just really depends on the disaster and what the needs are for each situation."

The team begins its work even before a storm hits. Even though Hurricane Gustav turned out to be a bad storm, "we had a team ready to deploy, and we were just waiting for the word saying we were needed," said Lucius.

According to Lucius, one group the team looks to help early is the Individual Augmentees' families.

"Since the service member is deployed overseas, we want to ensure that those families' needs are met before disaster strikes. We help those families put a good disaster plan in place."

In addition to the emergency centers, a key component to providing assistance is the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS), which is used to muster personnel and assess their needs during and following a disaster.

"It's important for all Navy personnel - active duty, reserve and civilian - to update their information on NFAAS," said Lucius. "If they have special needs due to hurricanes, Navy personnel and their families can fill out an assessment survey on NFAAS to receive assistance."

To log on to NFAAS, visit https://www.navyfamily.navy.mil.

NFAAS is already providing help to those in need.

"The lead case manager for New Orleans was on vacation, but she coordinated with NRSE NFAAS's point of contact and began helping families in her area of responsibility anyway. That's the level of dedication our employees have."

Throughout the region, installations are standing by in case support is needed for forecasted bad weather caused by hurricanes.

"The Navy takes care of its families," Lucius continued. "The Emergency Family Assistance Center is the Navy's way of providing information and helping people who have just been through something awful and don't know which way to turn."