Information for WNY Personnel and Families
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–September 16, 2013. The Navy has released additional information for those affected by today’s shooting at the Washington Navy Yard:
The Navy has established an Emergency Family Support Task Force to assist victims, workers and families with issues related to today’s shooting at the Navy yard. That task force will be led by Vice. Adm. Bill French, Commander of the Navy’s Installations Command.
Critical Incident Stress Management or counseling services are available at 800-222-0364.
Family services counselors and chaplains will be available. A team of chaplains at the Washington Navy Yard is currently assisting those most immediately impacted by the incident, and a team of chaplains and Religious Program Specialists at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling’s emergency center, Enterprise Building Bldg 72, are also assisting family members. Additionally, a team of chaplains from the Chief of Navy Chaplains’ office has been assigned to Nationals stadium where a larger family reunion area has been established for the victims. Teams of chaplains throughout the region are standing by to provide further assistance, as needed, over the next several days. Those requesting chaplain support can contact the Warfighter and Family Support Center at 202-433-6151 or 202-433-9713.
Those same numbers are also a resource for family members of Washington Navy Yard employees looking for information about their loved ones.
Metro Cards are available free of charge to all Navy Yard personnel at Nats Parking Lot B.
Lock Down: Navy Yard personnel are still on lockdown pending interviews by FBI investigators. Once interviewed, they will be released and cleared to leave the Yard. Approximately 20,000 employees are currently impacted.
Family members of Washington Navy Yard employees looking for information about their loved ones can contact the Warfighter and Family Support Center at 202-433-6151 or 202-433-9713 Navy officials said Sept. 16.
Also, Washington D.C. Metro Police Department advises family members of Washington Navy Yard employees attempting to meet their loved ones do so at Nationals Stadium, Parking Lot B, South Capitol & N St SE.
An active shooter was reported inside the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building (Bldg. 197) on the Washington Navy Yard at 8:20 a.m. (Eastern Time).
D.C. Metro Police Chief Cathy Lanier confirmed there were 12 fatalities in a shooting at the Washington Navy Yard Sept. 16.
The Navy has released the service history of Aaron Alexis, who is believed to have been the shooter. Here is a link to that biographical data: http://www.navy.mil/docs/Alexis_Aaron.pdf
Emergency personnel remain on scene and a “shelter in place” order has been issued for Navy Yard personnel.
In a press conference at MedStar Washington Hospital Center Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced he had conferred SECNAV Designee status on injured personnel. The Secretary of the Navy Designee Program provides special eligibility for medical and dental care from naval medical facilities for patients affected by the shooting.
A number of agencies are investigating the incident including the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, D.C. Metro Police, and the FBI which has lead.
As a result of the incident, the Navy has issued an “Order to Account” for all Navy uniformed personnel, both active duty and selected Reserve, assigned to commands in the D.C. metro area. The order also applies to family members, Navy civilian employees, as well as, NAF and NEX personnel. Personnel muster through the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS). To muster, visit the NFAAS website at https://navyfamily.navy.mil.
“I’m deeply shocked and saddened by the shooting this morning at the Navy Yard,” said Mabus. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I have complete confidence in our first responders, and I continue to be completely focused on this very difficult situation.”
“Darleen and I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of today’s events at the Navy Yard,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. “Our team of Sailors and Navy Civilians at the Navy Yard deserve our care and concern at this time. I applaud the efforts of all who immediately responded to this course of events in order to care for the injured victims and ensure the safety of our personnel.”
This release will be updated as new information is confirmed.
“Everyone here at the Department of Defense is saddened by the incident at the Washington Navy Yard this morning,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. Secretary Hagel is closely following the situation and has assured the Navy we will provide any resource or capability needed to get the Washington Navy Yard community through this event.
“The commander of the Military District of Washington is determining the operational and security status of military installations in the National Capital Region. Individual installation commanders have the authority to change their operating status at their discretion. While the Pentagon remains open, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency increased its security posture, not out of a specific threat, but as a proactive, precautionary measure,” Little continued.
“This is a fluid situation. Navy officials are working closely with law enforcement and emergency management representatives from the FBI and the District of Columbia to secure the scene and begin the investigation. More information will be released from the appropriate agency as it becomes available,” said Little.
Source: http://www.navy.mil
