EFAC ready to help when called upon Published July 13, 2015 By Kimberly Woodruff Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Emergency Family Assistance Center, or EFAC, is a service offered by the Airman and Family Readiness Center to help those affected by a national disaster or other emergency situations. Natural disasters may include tornadoes, floods or fires. It can also be events which result from an air or transportation disaster, terrorist attack, or mass murder. The purpose of the EFAC is to provide a consolidated staging area where families can obtain disaster relief, current information, and contingency services to help them. The EFAC only stands up when directed by the installation commander. Rickie Smith, A&FRC director with the 72nd Force Support Squadron, said the EFAC can be up and operational within hours of the disaster. "After we receive the call from the Installation Control Center to stand up the EFAC, A&FRC staff have one hour to arrive at the Center, and within two hours we will have made contact with the other EFAC partners" said Mr. Smith. Those other EFAC partners include Family Advocacy, the base Legal Office, the chapel, Mental Health, the Military Family Life Consultant counselor, and the Red Cross. "Within the hour after our staff arrive, it is critical that we get the facility ready to receive our other base helping agencies and to assist those affected by the disaster or whatever the event is," said Master Sgt. Aubrey Quarles, A&FRC superintendent. "Needs vary from food, blankets, clothing, or, in some cases, families has lost everything and needs a place to stay." Mr. Smith said it's important that people know the EFAC is here and available for families to use. "So we set up signs all over the base with directions to the center, and will start off running 24 hour operations," he added. "Although the EFAC is available to assist all members of the base populace, most of the services are geared primarily toward assisting military families and their dependents. As an example, emergency financial assistance can be provided by the Air Force Aid Society to military members and their families. However, civilians would be eligible for assistance from the Employee Assistance Program. The Airman and Family Readiness Center will often times make exceptions to the policies to assist civilian personnel with clothing and food needs. Bottom line is the EFAC is here to assist all of Team Tinker employees in whatever way we can" said Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith said when the EFAC is in operation, his staff's focus shifts to the needs of those military and family members individuals whose lives have been adversely impacted by the natural disaster/emergency event. "We will shift our operational tempo and daily routine into providing emergency services and assistance such time that we have met the immediate needs of affected families," he said. The last time the EFAC stood up was after the tornadoes that hit the metro area in May 2013. "The commander had us stand up the EFAC for four days," said Sergeant Quarles. "Before that, the EFAC had not been stood up since the May 3, 1999, tornado hit the Oklahoma City area." In 2013, the EFAC provided emergency assistance to more than 700 customers. They distributed some 80 tons of food and clothing, and more than $225,000 was donated and issued to help our military families. "We initially planned for one warehouse for receiving donations, and ended up with five warehouses full of items to help families affected by the disaster," said Mr. Smith. He said the most rewarding thing about the EFAC is being able to quickly help to return military members and their families to a stable and non-stressful environment. Seeing the relief on their faces when the EFAC can assist in providing the help they need during a difficult time. "Unique to the 2013 EFAC was the worldwide assistance and how everyone from all over came together to help," said Sergeant Quarles. Military installations as far away as Korea sent plane loads of donations to help. "I wasn't expecting that much care, love and support from the Air Force and local communities. It was amazing."