The Foreign Service Journal, February 2003

curtail out of an evacuated post out- side of the bidding cycle timeframe can create problems, too. FSJ: What are the main concerns/problems of FS members/ families posted in danger zones? FB: In today’s world, there are fears of terrorist attacks. There is constant worry about losing a fami- ly member. And there are worries about losing family pets and personal effects. Security as a whole is a big day-to-day concern, including restrictions on movement. This is linked to the neces- sity of armored protection at certain posts. It certainly cuts down on spontaneous activity! FSJ: How has the support/advice FLO provides changed in the past 10 years? In the past year? FB: Technological innovations are the biggest fac- tor of change in the past 10 years. With the Internet, all posts are able to download FLO support and advice materials (which are accessible from the FLO Web site’s publications page, http://www.state.gov/m/ dghr/flo/rsrcs/pubs). Prior to most evacuations, employees and their families can now locate lodging, make reservations and rent automobiles directly from their posts, easing their return to the U.S. Before, dur- ing and after an evacuation people keep in touch with each other and with FLO more easily through the Internet. Videoconferencing allows FLO to assist posts with contingency planning, and permits evacuated families to see and talk with employees who remain at posts. In the past year there has been little change in the content of our support and advice. Rather, there has been an increased demand for it! FSJ: Are evacuees given temporary employment? How soon after evacuation, and for how long? FB: Employees of all evacuated agencies report to their offices/bureaus in Washington for temporary work assignments. Family members employed at post (FMAs) are not guaranteed temporary employment through the department, although most posts have con- tinued to pay their evacuated CLOs if they are able to work out of the FLO. Occasionally bureaus will offer temporary employment to spouses who were employed at the post. Just recently, Embassy Caracas, recognizing thie issue of lost income, offered to fund their FMA employees in the Washington area, if the bureau and FLO could locate work for them. Most of the time, lack of spousal employment opportunities is a source of frustration for evacuated families. FSJ: How has the department’s management of evacuations evolved over time? FB: Support for individuals, both financially and psychologically, has improved. Communications in evacuations have also improved. FSJ: What lessons have been learned? FB: We have learned that once the evacuation is over and families and non-emergency employees return to post, that is not the end. Rebuilding the com- munity can take a long time. It is important to give all segments a chance to tell their stories, to be heard. The community must come together, and it is impor- tant for the community to trust management. FSJ: Are the “lessons learned” translated into new policy and procedures? Any examples? FB: One can cite several examples that reflect “lessons learned.” One is substantially increased allowances that more realistically reflect the expenses incurred by evacuees. Another is the fact that evacuees can now change their safe-haven address once during an evacuation. And, chiefs of mission now have the delegat- ed authority to approve travel to and from post by employees and family members who have not elected to leave under authorized departure orders. Those who do remain often need to get away on personal travel to release stress. This has been a big morale booster. FSJ: Does FLO have a cumulative set of “best prac- tices” recommendations for management? FB: FLO has a number of “best practices” recom- mendations for posts: (1) maintain open communica- tion between post management and the community; (2) prepare for the possibility of an evacuation through good contingency planning; (3) include schools, FSNs and eligible family members in the planning — FSNs usually have a wealth of knowledge on local conditions that can have a positive impact in planning; (4) create employee/family databases with accurate contact infor- mation; (5) encourage families to consider their safe- haven options well in advance of an emergency situa- F O C U S F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 37 Plan for the long run when evacuated — the average evacuation now lasts from three to four months.