U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) headquartered in Norfolk and Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) headquartered in Washington, are conducting a natural disaster preparedness exercise, Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale 2017 (HURREX/CG 17) May 8-19.

The purpose of the annual exercise is to prepare the Navy and its assets to respond to and coordinate emergency operations during adverse weather threats to U.S. coastal regions. All Navy commands with personnel and assets within the regions will take part in the exercise.

One main program that will be assessed and implemented is a Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) recall.

NFAAS is used following a disaster or other event to determine locations of affected family members and to manage, and monitor the recovery process for Navy personnel and their families who are affected by major man-made or natural disasters or widespread catastrophic events.

Twice a year, the Navy goes through a NFAAS system update where Sailors are required to log into the system to verify and update their personal contact information to include family names addresses and contact information.
Outdated contact information can delay the Navy's ability to account for and provide assistance to affected personnel during an emergency situation putting Sailors and their families at further risk.

"In order to ensure timely and accurate accountability and to provide needed assistance in case of a man-made or natural disaster, Navy personnel uniformed (active and reserve), civilian, and contractors outside Continental United States (OCONUS)) are to ensure they have the most up-to-date contact and location information for themselves and their dependents," said Beth Dickerson, the U.S. Fleet Forces Command Staff Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) Commanding Officer Representative (COR). "Whether located here in Norfolk or other areas of the world where catastrophic weather or events may occur, the success of NFAAS enables accountability and ongoing assistance not only for our staff members, but their dependents as well."

NAVADMIN 000/13 discusses the semiannual update and verification of personal information in NFAAS by all active duty and reserve Sailors, Department of the Navy civilian employees and OCONUS contractors.

Sailors and military civilians can log in to NFAAS at https://navyfamily.navy.mil to verify and update contact information for themselves and their family members.

Commanding officers are responsible to ensure compliance with this verification and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations will review the extent to which all commands have provided their information.

According to the message, commands are also mandated to incorporate NFAAS updates into the command check-in and check-out process during permanent change of station moves.

For more information read NAVADMIN 000/13 and contact the NFAAS Help Desk at 1-866-946-9183 or email at nfass@spawar.navy.mil or visit the NPC website at www.npc.navy.mil.

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For more news from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, visit www.navy.mil/.