Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER:
G -83
GENERAL ORDER
RESCINDS:
SUBJECT: Family Reunification
EFFECTIVE: September 27, 2018
REVISED: May 2, 2019
Table of Contents:
I. Purpose
II. Scope
III. Definitions
IV. Site Selection
V. ICS Structure
VI. Reunification Procedure
VII. Considerations
I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this General Order is to establish a guideline for recovering from incidents involving active
threat(s)/criminal mass casualty events, and for the Deputies to quickly and effectively respond and
coordinate the debriefing, evidence collection and reunification process with family and loved ones. This
General Order works in conjunction with the Central Florida Family Assistance Center Response Plan.
II. SCOPE:
A. In the event of a mass casualty/mass fatality incident, family reunification should be established to
facilitate the process of transporting survivors of an incident to a family reunification site,
identifying individuals involved in an incident and reuniting them with family and loved ones,
debriefing and collecting evidence, and identifying fatalities.
B. In conjunction with family reunification, family assistance requires the coordinated effort of all
governmental and non-governmental agencies. Establishing a Family Assistance Center requires
coordination of personnel and logistics. Survivors of the incident and their families should be able
to receive an array of services, including family reunification aid, basic needs and support services,
counseling, compensation, travel and funeral aid, and other assistance through this overall family
assistance process.
GENERAL ORDER
Family Reunification
G-83 Page 1 OF 10\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nIII. DEFINITIONS:
A. Citizen Information Group
Personnel who staff the Citizen Information Line who gather information about victims and
witnesses and answer questions as received from the public from a published hotline.
B. Data Collection Group
Analyst or other data entry personnel who gather data to assist in the investigative and reunification
process.
C. Emergency Evacuation Point
A location selected at an incident site to transport individuals to a Family Reunification site.
D. Family Reunification Branch
Oversees the connection and reunification of people with their family or friends and grief
counseling.
E. Friends/Family Check-in Group
Analyst who gather data to assist in the investigative and reunification process
F. Forensics Group
Documents and collects evidence related to the incident.
G. Intelligence Gathering Group
Investigators assigned to interview and collect evidence, both digital and physical, from persons that
were at the scene.
H. Investigative Operations Branch
Oversees the Investigative component of an incident
I. Intelligence Operations Branch
Oversees the gathering and dissemination of intelligence and information.
J. Investigative Operations Group
Investigates the incident.
K. Liaison Officer
Coordinates will all branches of the Investigation Section and outside governmental and non-
governmental organizations to provide a seamless flow of information.
L. Mass Casualty Group
A combined group of personnel from various local, state and federal agencies, to include the Medical
Examiner’s Office, dealing with the identification and recovery of mass casualties.
M. Missing Persons Group
Identifies friends and family who report the reunification site and there is no information in the
system about their loved one.
GENERAL ORDER
Family Reunification
G-83 Page 2 OF 10\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nN. Mobile Intelligence Group
Gathers intelligence, collects evidence and takes statement taking at hospitals, private residences,
or any outside location where a victim/witness may be located.
O. Victim Assistance Group
Walks people through the process of reunification, both from the scene and the family/friends who
respond to the scene. Provides guidance and grief counseling as necessary.
P. Property Return Group
Reunites people with non-evidentiary property that was left behind at the scene. Facilitates the
transportation and recovery of people or property, returning it to the rightful owner.
IV. SITE SELECTION:
A. Critical to the process is site selection. If possible, several sites should be predesignated around the
county. These sites should be selected in conjunction with the Seminole County Office of
Emergency Management.
1. The designation of a Family Reunification site should take into consideration the need for
a Family Assistance Center and the logistics required for both.
2. The size and flow of the structure is important. The Family/Friends check-in area should
be on a different side of the building from where people who were at the incident are being
brought.
3. Location security, both internally and externally, should be taken into consideration.
4. Prior to entry, all persons, at both check in locations may be scanned with a metal detector
for security reasons. The Investigation Section Chief or designee will make a
determination on security protocols.
5. Uniformed law enforcement personnel will be positioned both inside and outside to provide
a physical presence.
V. ICS STRUCTURE:
A. Family Reunification shall fall under the Investigation Section of an ICS structure.
1. The Investigation Section Chief shall be commanded by a Captain.
2. The Investigation Section Chief shall be assisted by a Liaison Officer and investigators
from the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI.
a. The Liaison Officer will coordinate will all branches of the Investigation Section
and outside governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide a
seamless flow of information.
GENERAL ORDER
Family Reunification
G-83 Page 3 OF 10\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nb. The Joint Terrorism Task Force and FBI investigators will provide situational
awareness of the suspect(s) and the overall threat condition.
B. The Investigative Operations Branch shall oversee the Investigative component of an incident.
1. The Branch Director, usually the CID Lieutenant, will be supported by the Investigative
Operations Group, Forensics Group, and the Mass Causality Group.
a. The Investigative Operations Group will investigate the incident. It will be
comprised of investigators from the Major Crimes Unit or other identified
investigative personnel.
b. The Forensics Group will document and collect evidence related to the incident.
It will be made up of personnel from the Forensic Laboratory Services Division.
c. The Mass Casualty Group will be a combined group of personnel from various
local, state, and federal agencies, to include the Medical Examiner’s Office,
dealing with the identification and recovery of victims.
C. The Intelligence Operations Branch shall oversee the gathering and dissemination of intelligence
and information.
1. The Branch Director, usually the Domestic Security Division Lieutenant, will be supported
by the Data Collection Group, Intelligence Gathering Group, and the Mobile Intelligence
Group.
a. The Data Collection Group will be a group of analyst, investigators or other
personnel tasked with gathering data to assist in the investigative and reunification
process. This data will be entered into a database. It will be made up of analysts
from the Domestic Security Division.
b. The Intelligence Gathering Group will be a group of investigators assigned to
interview and collect evidence, both digital and physical, from persons that were
at the scene. It will be made up of investigators from the Digital Forensics Unit,
Domestic Security Division, Criminal Investigations Division, SNP, and Child
Protective Services Division.
c. The Mobile Intelligence Group is responsible for gathering intelligence, evidence
and statement taking at hospitals, private residences, or any outside location where
a victim/witness may be located. It will be made up of investigators from the
Juvenile Justice Division, Child Protective Services Division, Criminal
Investigations Division, or SNP.
D. The Family Reunifica