Academy evacuates: Airmen must log in to accountability system
Posted 6/27/2012
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by Debbie Gildea
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
6/27/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials have activated the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to monitor the status and location of all Airmen and dependents assigned to and living in the vicinity of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Air Force Personnel Center officials said June 27 here.
A 15,500-plus acre wildfire raging outside Colorado Springs, Colo., has resulted in the U.S. Air Force Academy being evacuated and the AFPAAS activation, said Brian Angell, the AFPC Personnel Readiness Center chief.
Airmen assigned to the area or visiting the area must log in to AFPAAS at https://afpaas.af.mil and complete the accountability process, Angell said.
"Airmen who are displaced as a result of the fire need to be sure they annotate clearly where their safe location is, whether that be grandma's house, a hotel, or even a nearby military installation such as Fort Carson," he said. "That will allow us to assign case managers from the nearest Airmen and family readiness centers to provide aid."
AFPAAS allows commanders and units to account for personnel and their families during an emergency, and assess, manage and monitor the recovery and reconstitution process. Commanders and commanders' representatives are asked to report individual and family member status of those assigned or transiting to the affected area by logging into AFPAAS, Angell said.
This requirement applies to active-duty Airmen, selected reservists, Department of the Air Force and non-appropriated fund civilian employees, Air Force contractors and family members affected by the Academy evacuation and wildfire.
"All Airmen have a responsibility to let their commanders know if they have dependents in the Colorado Springs area," Angell said. "It is important for all military and civilian Airmen to know where their dependents are. If they have been evacuated, that needs to be updated in AFPAAS."
Additionally, accountability of deployed members will be accomplished by their home station units and commanders, rather than the deployed commanders, Angell said.
"This is also a benefit for our deployed members who will be able to log in and have real-time visibility over their loved ones and dependents," he said.
In addition to the accountability aspect of AFPAAS, affected members should conduct a short needs assessment survey. This assessment informs officials if the member requires assistance.
If assigned personnel do not have access to a computer, they must contact their unit control center, commander or commander's representative. Members who are unable to contact their commander or UCC can contact the AFPC readiness cell at 800-435-9941 or DSN 665-2020.
AFPAAS can also be accessed from the Air Force Portal, www.af.mil and www.afpc.af.mil.
For more information about AFPAAS or other personnel issues, go to the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil.
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