MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Moody’s Airman and Family Readiness Center established an Emergency Family Assistance Center for evacuees from the local and southeast region to prepare for Hurricane Matthew here, Oct. 7.
The EFAC is the designated focal point with 24/7 operations that centralizes resources and offers Department of Defense personnel and their families relief assistance.
“The EFAC provides support in the event of emergency situations like these,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. William Ford, 23d Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of readiness. “The A&FRC allows families a place for shelter and information to use for their recovery efforts. We document every phone call and provide resources to individuals whether we direct them to other agencies or process them in our facility to stay.
For one Coastal Georgia woman and her family, the search for shelter was difficult until she found a place to stay the night at the EFAC. Jennifer Walker, who is accompanied by her husband, three children and two dogs, is one of the approximate 50 evacuees to process into the EFAC.
“I like how helpful the [EFAC] staff has been and their knowledge of information to help the guests, here,” said Walker, a St. Mary’s, Ga. native. “My number one concern was if I could I bring my dogs and I’m glad I was able to. We also brought food, a tent and other personal goods for the night. Everyone has been helpful and I can’t complain. I’ve been assisted in every way possible.”
According to Ford, this assistance to accommodate people in emergencies makes being an EFAC staff member worthwhile.
“Our team has been phenomenal with manning the telephones, processing guests and taking donations,” said Ford. “If we aren’t able to assist an individual in need, we can direct them to the necessary agencies. We’re all in and hands-on which is needed to maintain a program like this. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.
“We’ve received help from multiple base organizations and have Airmen volunteering to help out which has been a huge bonus,” Ford added. “We can occupy up to 200 people with their belongings in our facility and have other buildings for use if we have an overflow. Our main goal is to get information to benefit those in need and we’re going to continue to do whatever it takes to accomplish that as we accommodate individuals.”
For additional information, to provide donations or for assistance, call the EFAC at 229-257-3333. The address for the AFRC is 5091 Gardner Street, Building 400, Moody AFB, Ga.