Presentation by Ashley Kohlberg, Preparedness Program Manager for Public Health - Seattle & King County

1. Family Assistance Center (FAC)
King County Mass Care Forum
May 23, 2013
Ashley Kolberg

2. What is a Family Assistance Center?
 A secure facility established to serve as a
centralized location to provide information
and assistance about unaccounted for
persons and the deceased.
 Also established to support the reunification
of the unaccounted for or deceased with their
family members.

3. Why might Public Health open a
FAC?
 Mass fatality incident resulting in ten or more
decedents to be identified
 Smaller incident with special circumstances
(terrorism, school shooting)
 Incident where number of fatalities is initially
unclear

4. When will a FAC be open?
 As soon as it is determined that there are
multiple fatalities, a reception center may be
opened near the scene.
 Once a site is secured and policies agreed to,
the FAC will open and remain open until
enough remains have been identified to allow
future identifications to be managed by the
Medical Examiner’s Office directly

5. Where would a FAC be?
 Far enough from the scene so it is not visible
for family and friends
 Secure location
 Likely a hotel or conference center depending
on the size of the incident

6. Who would receive assistance?
 Family and friends of unaccounted for persons:
 Family is defined as any individual (family, friend,
partner, distant relative) that considers them to be a
part of the victim’s family, even if there is not a legal
familial relationship. This includes individuals whom
other family members characterize as family. This is
distinguished from the legal next of kin, who are the
legally authorized individual(s) with whom the King
County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO)
coordinates and who is authorized to make decisions
regarding the decedent.

7. What types of services?
 Family briefings
 Missing persons
 Call center
 Ante mortem data
 Notification
 Health services
 Behavioral Health services
 Support services

8. Ante Mortem Data
 VIP (Victim Identification Program)
 Family interviews for ante mortem data
collection
 Matched to post mortem exams to identify
decedents

9. How will we provide assistance?
 Public health staff
 KCMEO
 Preparedness Section
 PHRC volunteers
 Law enforcement
 Social services organizations
 Behavioral health
 Spiritual care
 Case management

10. How many people are needed to staff
a FAC?
 Command: 4-6
 Planning Section: 2-9
 Logistics Section: 17-84
 Victim Information: 7-75
 Antemortem Data Group: 10-150
 Notification Group: 3-66
 Support Services: 6-18
 Health Services: 7-85
 Includes Behavioral Health Services
 Reception: 5-34
 Finance and Administration: 4-29

11. Questions?