Course curriculum

An introductory course for aspiring FLOs and Incident Command practitioners interested in incorporating an effective FLO program into their response model. This course is a supplementary program to support the text "When Accidents Happen" by Moose Mutlow.

  • 1

    Overview of the Family Liaison Officer

  • 2

    Why be a Family Liaison Officer? Why do the training?

  • 3

    Course Text, Read Ahead Articles and Video

  • 4

    Understanding Liaison, Avoiding Advocacy

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Liaison versus Advocate

    • Liaison Advocate PDF.pdf
  • 5

    Where does FLO fit into the Incident Command System

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • When do I need an FLO ?

    • Incident Command System diagram

    • Where does the FLO fit into the Incident Command System?

    • The Incident Commander's responsibility to make the FLO position successful

    • The FLO role as an insulator between the response in the field and the needs of the family.

    • CISM and FLO why they are not the same

    • Working in Incident Command
  • 6

    Choosing to Take the Mission?

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Local

    • Recent assignments, personal challenge and/or trauma

    • Bias

    • Identifying with the family

    • Impact of previous assignments or missions

    • Call in Assignment
  • 7

    What to anticipate in communicating with people in crisis

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Communication Dynamics with People in Crisis
  • 8

    Scripting

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Scripting

    • Scripting

    • Planning the first contact conversation

  • 9

    Things to avoid

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Things to avoid saying
  • 10

    Face to Face with the Family

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Managing Friends and Family as an FLO

    • Balancing hope and optimism with reality

    • Appearance - Radios and Phones

    • Silence and Waiting for News
  • 11

    How to use resources and personnel when working with the family

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • What to do if a family requests visiting the site of a body recovery

    • Sharing resources with families

    • An example of how to use digital resources with families
  • 12

    Working With Public Information Officer and Media

    • Working with Media

    • Supporting families during an incident when social media is involved
  • 13

    Death Notification

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Death notification

    • Death Notification scripting
  • 14

    Terminating the professional relationship

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Transitioning out of the role of FLO

    • Stepping back as a disappearance remains unresolved

  • 15

    Documentation

    • When Accidents Happen - Chapter Reference

    • Agency Incident Report. Scott fatality in Yellowstone.

    • FLO Narrative

  • 16

    Tips from the Field

    • Line of Duty Death

    • Calling schedule for family

    • Viewing a body - things to think about

    • Unexplained death and suicide

    • Primary Contact

    • Supporting Friends and Family as an FLO
  • 17

    Running through a mission.

    • Introduction

    • Emerging Incident

    • Incident Command Briefing

    • Follow up questions to Incident Commander briefing

    • Preparing for Family Contact

    • Contacting Family - Face to Face

    • Follow up to IC

    • Choreographing Command Staff

    • Closing out Assignment

    • Documentation

  • 18

    Building your own FLO Program

    • Building a Family Liaison Officer team that lasts
  • 19

    Impacts of the Family Liaison Officer Role

    • Using the Stress Continuum

    • Stress Continuum Resources
  • 20

    Resources

    • Books and Internet links