This section tells you what to do in an emergency.

Emergencies

The most important thing to remember is that if something serious happens to your soldier the Army will normally tell you in person and as soon as possible provided you are their nominated Emergency Contacts (EC). If you have a concern get in touch with your nominated UWO. This section covers two types of emergency procedures, for which tried and tested systems are in place. The first section has information on what happens if a soldier is injured during the deployment, including how the EC - the person they wish to be notified in the event of them becoming a listed casualty or of their involvement in an incident of public interest) are kept informed and supported. The second part covers what you need to do if you require your soldier to be sent home because of a serious family emergency or illness.

Casualty Procedures

Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC). The JCCC is primarily responsible for monitoring and actioning certain procedures for Army personnel if they become notifiable casualties both in the UK and overseas, and also for their dependants overseas. These roles ensure that the nominated Emergency Contact is notified appropriately and as quickly as possible should an individual become a notifiable casualty. Notification is carried out by a Casualty Notification Officer (CNO). The JCCC is also responsible for authorising Compassionate Leave Travel from overseas for Service personnel, their dependants based overseas, and mobilised reservists and Territorial Army. The JCCC is located at Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1HW. It is manned 24 hours a day 365 days per year. JCCC Tel: (0044) 01452 519951.

Dangerously ill - Forwarding of Relatives (DILFOR). The JCCC will authorise and, in the case of travel overseas, make arrangements for DILFOR travel. This allows two people to be moved at public expense from anywhere in the world to visit a serviceperson at their bedside if they are listed as Very Seriously Ill (VSI), Seriously Ill (SI), Incapacitating Illness/Injury (III) or Unlisted (UL) and the medical authorities have recommended such a visit.

Compassionate Leave and Travel. The MoDs publicly funded Compassionate Leave & Travel scheme is UK-centric. If there is a requirement for a soldier serving overseas to return to the UK for compassionate reasons, for example if a close relative becomes very seriously ill (normally life threatening) or dies, then it is the role of the JCCC to investigate the circumstances and make a recommendation as to whether compassionate travel should be granted. For those whose relatives are overseas it would be prudent to ensure you have a contingency plan (for instance money set aside ) in case you are required to return unexpectedly to your country of origin. If you need additional assistance, your unit welfare officer will be able to explain what is available to you from public funds and what other forms of support may be able to assist you. The MoD is aware that this can be difficult situation and is seeking ways of addressing this issue.

When a soldier is on operational duties overseas, any requests for them to be allowed home on compassionate grounds MUST go through the JCCC rather than the Unit Welfare Office.

Should circumstances arise which make it necessary for you to apply for your soldier to be returned to the UK from overseas on compassionate grounds you should telephone the JCCC on 01452 519951. This telephone number is manned 24hs a day every day of the year.

To avoid delays, contact should be made with the JCCC first, contacting your soldier may lead to delay because they or their unit will then have to contact the JCCC in order for the appropriate investigations to be carried out. When you telephone the JCCC you will be asked to provide the following information of the service person:

• Number, Rank and Name.

• Unit and Address of Soldier.

• Name and Telephone Number of Doctor or Hospital (if applicable) who are treating the subject of the compassionate request.

• The details of the person very seriously ill (normally life threatening) or dead.

Compassionate leave may also normally be granted in the following circumstances:

• When the spouse or #entitled# partner or child of a serving person is very seriously ill or has died. In the case of death, every endeavour will be made to enable the serving person to arrive in time for the funeral.

• When a serving person#s presence is the only means of preventing the break up of his or her immediate family. Under these circumstances, a great deal of care should be taken and specialist assistance in assessing the need should be sought. For example, there may well be cases where the break up of the family is inevitable, has been an issue for some considerable time, or where the return of the individual to the family home will not contribute to the resolution of the problem.

• Where the care of young children can only be provided satisfactorily by the serving person#s presence.

• When the death of a close relative is imminent. In these cases, every endeavour is to be made to enable the serving person to arrive before the death.

• When a close relative is very seriously ill, provided that the serving person will be of practical help and that there is no other appropriate relative who is available to help.

• The scope of JCCC support is normally limited to close relatives and either the JCCC or your Unit Welfare Officer can explain who these are.

Money matters. Although your serving soldiers is responsible for providing financial support for your family, there may be occasions when you need quick access to money for a family emergency, such as requirement to travel to visit a seriously ill relative. The first port of call should be your Unit Welfare Officer and their staff who may request support from the unit Regimental Administration Officer (RAO) who can provide support to soldiers and their spouses, and will also be aware of the various charitable funds that can help Army families in need.