Air Force Maj. Jeffrey Welborn of the 12th Flying Training Wing shows students controls of a T-43
Bobcat, which is the military version of the Boeing 737. The plane, nicknamed "the flying classroom," is used to train navigators stationed at Randolph ...

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have their own set of responsibilities in case of a widespread emergency. But when it comes to those outside of uniform, staff from the Washington, D.C. area are trying to make sure they are prepared for such an emergency as well.

The Joint Family Center Committee, made up of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps community service staff from bases around the National Capital Region, was put together to provide support. The JFCCAca,!a,,cs official purpose is to be prepared to provide mutual support for National Capital Region installations in the event of a natural or man-made disaster and to continue training for such an event. They aim to provide an integrated place for crisis and grief support, victim information and benefits information following a catastrophic incident.

The JFCC staff held a briefing at Fort McNair May 13, in order to gain a better understanding of their place within the command structure. More than 10 members of the JFCC attended the briefing, which included a tour of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region Joint Operations Center. Aca,!A"This is a good first step for us, a joint force effort like this gives us a structure to this area that wasnAca,!a,,ct here before,Aca,!A? said Catherine Ferran, who is the chief of Army Community Service at Fort Meade, as well as the chair of the JFCC. Aca,!A"WeAca,!a,,cre trying to find out where we will fit in Aca,!" in case something happens Aca,!" so we have a plan of action.Aca,!A?

They were greeted by Col. Carlen J. Chestang, Jr., the chief of staff for JFHQ-NCR, who thanked them for their work on behalf of Army Families.

Aca,!A"You all make up a very important committee, not just for the Army, but for the command and for the entire National Capital Region,Aca,!A? Chestang said. Aca,!A"Most of the time your work goes unnoticed, but trust me, what you do for those in uniform and their Families is so important.Aca,!A?

Navy Commander Bryn Henderson, the JOC director, briefed the committee members on the overall structure of JFHQ-NCR. They discussed the functions of such units as the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), the U.S. Army Band Aca,!A"PershingAca,!a,,cs Own,Aca,!A? the Army Air Operations Group, the 12th Aviation Battalion and the 911th Engineer Company. He also spoke about the special missions done by the White House Transportation Agency and at Arlington National Cemetery.

Aca,!A"The biggest reason we can do what we do around the National Capital Region is because we know that our Families are well taken care of by people like you,Aca,!A? Henderson said. The JFCC has monthly meetings at Fort McNair, and is gearing up to support the upcoming Capital Shield 2011 exercise, which will test response capabilities around the entire area. Aca,!A"We feel itAca,!a,,cs important to work close with JFHQ command, because in case of emergency, weAca,!a,,cll be working side-by-side,Aca,!A? Ferran said. Aca,!A"Each installation has local plans, but when weAca,!a,,cre taken out of our installation, we need to know what to do, and thatAca,!a,,cs why they are so important.Aca,!A?