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Minot Emergency Family Asssistance Control Center on 24-hour ops

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  With more than 11,000 Minot residents forced to seek shelter after emergency management officials called for an immediate evacuation in anticipation of the flooding situation, providing assistance to displaced families became a top priority for surrounding communities, including Minot AFB.

Currently, 1,142 Air Force Global Strike Command and Team Minot Airmen and families have been affected, thus prompting the Emergency Family Assistance Control Center here to begin 24-hour operations to provide support services.

Cindy Whitesell, 5th Force Support Squadron chief of the Airman and Family Readiness Center said the EFACC was like a hub of information and referral for support to those who need it.

"Right now we are providing crisis assistance, referrals for emergency shelter, managing donations and providing family consulting services as well," said Ms. Whitesell.

She explained they were providing help in any way they could, including getting information out about base community members who have housing space, extra storage room, food, or are willing to lend a hand in sandbagging and other volunteer efforts.

Currently, the base has opened an RV parking overflow area by the Exchange for displaced personnel who own mobile homes. She explained they would be able to dump their waste at Bud Ebert Park, fill their water tanks at the auto hobby shop and use shower facilities at the McAdoo Sports and Fitness Center.

"Currently, we have helped more than 70 people with crisis-type needs, excluding those in emergency shelter," said Ms. Whitesell.

Ms. Whitesell explained folks running the downtown Minot flood hotline send requests to them seeking help and they coordinate with volunteers here to go out and assist.

"While I know squadrons are trying to take care of their displaced employees through various means, there are a lot of people who just don't have those connections," said Ms. Whitesell. "People are opening their homes and their garages to those in need. There really has been a phenomenal outpouring of volunteer support from the base community."

Annie Guest, 5th Civil Engineer Key Spouse, has volunteered to help the EFACC manage its operations.

"I began volunteering earlier this week when the EFACC first stood up," said Ms. Guest. "We help them with whatever type of work is needed around here. Right now we have been helping log and track donations, as well as hooking up volunteers with those in need."

Ms. Guest said she coordinated with her neighbors to help take care of her children while she came out and helped because it was for a good cause.

Ms. Whitesell said due to the vast volunteer support, they've been able to ramp up their military family life consultant presence to handle one-on-one crisis consultations as emotions are expected to begin to run high during times of anxiety.

"This support we can provide will help augment the chaplains and mental health officers," said Ms. Whitesell. "When people see their home full of belongings flash before their eyes and wonder how they're going to be displaced possibly for the long haul, it can be stressful."

Nonetheless, she said they would do their best to offer services to the families in need.

"Since the beginning everything came together very smoothly," said Ms. Whitesell. "While things have continued to be very busy, we have had so many volunteers willing to step up. Without those volunteers we couldn't have been able to manage all of this."

For volunteers interested in assisting the EFACC with reception, donation collections or overall support, can report to A&FRC or call 723-4500 for more information.