Southern/Southwestern Family Reunification

March 26, 2020

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

A full breakfast will be served from 8 to 8:30AM; the Program will begin at 8:30AM

This event has no registration fees.

Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel

7350 S Nogales Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85756

The purpose of the Targeted Event Readiness Forum (TERF) is to provide an environment for exploring opportunities along the disaster response continuum. The TERF is not a disaster preparedness exercise, but instead is a facilitated discussion to foster the sharing of information. However, you will want to reference your disaster plan in advance to be prepared to offer information when asked.

Objectives:

The Southern/Southwestern Family Reunification Targeted Event Readiness Forum (TERF) is to provide an environment for exploring opportunities along the disaster response continuum. In addition, the TERF will:

  • Educate, discover, and develop partnerships to support rural, tribal and urban family reunification processes.
  • Provide tools, experiences, and data for participants to take back to their agency for further discussion and administrative support.
  • Identify follow-up actions/findings to continue to educate support agencies in the basics of reunification.
  • Communicate where we are with reunification planning, best practices and scalable templates.
  • Identify next steps for regional reunification planning.

Target Audience:

This meeting is by invitation only. The event targets leadership from law enforcement; fire; emergency management; public health; EMS; hospitals; behavioral health; organizations serving access and functional needs populations; school districts; colleges/University of Arizona; PIOs; municipal, county, tribal and state government; elected officials and NGOs.

SCENARIO TO SPUR DIALOGUE

It is a Friday evening and two rival football teams are nearing half time. The game is highly attended with 2,500 spectators or more, including children and adults with access and functional needs. Elected leaders from various levels of government throughout the region are known to be in attendance.

One side of the stadium has collapsed due to unknown causes, resulting in smoke and chaos. Early communications from officers and medical personnel at the scene estimate 250 or more individuals injured with an undetermined loss of life. Approximately one-third of the attendees are likely trapped under the collapse. There are individuals with visible injuries lying near the site of the collapse, as well as walking wounded seeking assistance. Family and friends are also searching for their loved ones and confusing the estimate.

Bystanders are seen loading victims in their personal vehicles and speeding away. EMS is on-site and initiating triage/transport. Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) are inundated with calls. Five hospitals have received patients, including walking wounded.

Discussion about family reunification begins from this point forward.