The Foreign Service Journal, February 2003

he Family Liaison Office’s mandate to provide services to all U.S. government employ- ees and their families posted abroad includes crucial sup- port for those living in danger zones and undergoing evacua- tions, and FLO Director Faye Barnes emphatically anticipates an expanded workload in this area in the coming period. In answer to questions from FSJ Associate Editor Susan Maitra, Ms. Barnes explains FLO’s role in crises and evacuations, discusses the lessons learned, highlights some of FLO’s “best practices,” and offers several recommendations for posts. Faye Barnes came to the FLO directorship in 1998. In overseas tours earlier with husband Richard L. Barnes, a retired FAS officer, Ms. Barnes served as the Community Liaison Office Coordinator in London, Mexico City and Bonn. She speaks Spanish and German, and previously worked in public relations. The Barnes have two daughters, both born abroad. FSJ: What role does the FLO play in evacuations — both at post and in D.C.? FB: In the run-up to an evacuation FLO supports the community liaison officer at post with information and guidance, meets with the bureau to advocate for family issues, and participates on task forces and mon- itoring groups. FLO contacts representatives of all agencies at post and, if requested, contacts family members in the U.S. FLO also gathers safe-haven information on the evacuees. During an evacuation, FLO arranges for returnees to Washington to be met at the airport, and, where possible, does the same for returnees at other gateway airport cities. We distribute a “Welcome Back” pack- et to all evacuees, which introduces FLO as the cen- tral point of contact for U.S. government employees and their family members, and also contains an “Evacuation Contact List” with the relevant informa- tion for offices in State as well as the other government agencies with which evacuees will need to interact. FLO organizes briefings for evacuees in the Washington area, sends newsletters and maintains telephone and e-mail contact with all evacuees. FLO also assists evacuees with concerns such as children’s issues, spouse employ- ment, adjustment and administra- tive issues, and continues to advo- cate within the department for the special needs of evacuated families and to contact families on behalf of evacuees. Following a crisis or evacuation, FLO assists with information and guidance regarding a return to post and supports the CLO in rebuilding the community there. FSJ: What are the main problems FS members/ families have with evacuations? FB: The biggest problem is frustration at losing control of their lives. There is a psychological uproot- ing, and the uncertainty of knowing when or if the evacuation will be lifted. There is disruption of chil- dren’s education. Often, a family has to deal with the loss of a second income. There is the loss of post dif- ferential and other allowances to reconcile. Exacerbating the pocketbook issues, evacuated employees working in D.C. do not receive locality pay because they are not assigned here. For employees, there are also career considerations: months away from post do not help in the annual EER process. Having to 36 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 3 F O C U S O N D A N G E R Z O N E S FLO: P OINT OF C ONTACT FOR E MPLOYEES & F AMILIES A N I NTERVIEW WITH D IRECTOR F AYE B ARNES S TATE ’ S F AMILY L IAISON O FFICE IS PLAYING AN EVER GREATER ROLE IN ASSISTING EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING CRISES . B Y S USAN M AITRA T