# APPENDIX 8

**GLOSSARY OF WORKING DEFINITIONS**

**Accident Investigation (Legal Investigation) -** The purpose of an
accident investigation is to provide a comprehensive report of the facts
and circumstances surrounding an accident, releasable to the public, and
to gather and preserve evidence for claims, litigation, disciplinary and
adverse administrative actions, and for all purposes. It contains a
statement of opinion from the board president regarding the cause or
causes of the accident and, if appropriate, a description of factors
that substantially contributed to the accident.

**Benefits Counseling -** Specific information provided to eligible
beneficiaries (NOK) on military and government programs, such as death
gratuity, indemnity compensation, retirement pay and survivor benefits
plan, service disabled veteran's insurance, veteran affairs dependency
and education benefits, and social security.

**Casualty Services -** Dignified, compassionate, and humane reporting,
timely notification and assistance (entitlements, survivor benefits,
death certificates, personal concerns, copies of reports, etc.) to
family members and other designated persons as promptly as possible
after an individual is placed in a casualty status.

**Counseling -** Formal interview sessions conducted by trained
professionals to individuals or groups regarding self exploration,
behavior examination, problem identification, and exploration of
solutions to identified problems.

**Crisis Intervention -** Immediate assistance provided to individuals
or groups in response to tragedy situations which focuses on support,
information, and coping mechanisms during a crisis.

**DoD Civilian -** A non-military employee of the Department of Defense.

**Family (members) -** A deceased employee's immediate next of kin
usually the spouse, child(ren), parents, *and siblings under special
circumstances.*

**FECA Benefits -** Compensation under the Federal Employee's
Compensation Act, 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq., for the disability or death of
an employee of the Federal government resulting from personal injury
sustained while in the performance of duty.

**Federal Employees -** Civilians employed by Federal government
agencies, to include DoD civilians.

**Grief Counseling -** Face-to-face interview sessions concerned with
moving the client through a series of emotions in response to a
significant loss, e.g., denial, anger, depression, acceptance of loss,
to a healthy acceptance of life without the significant other.

**Information and Referral -** A process that provides pertinent
information to DoD personnel and their families to identify and clarify
needs, programs, and issues and a linkage to resources in both military
and civilian communities.

**Long-term Assistance -** Information, support, and guidance provided
to clients after the memorial service and up to one year following a
tragedy. This assistance may be extended beyond one year under unusual
circumstances.

**Long-term Counseling -** Individual or group sessions for up to one
year from the date of the tragedy that focuses on overcoming grief and
problems associated with the loss of a loved one.

**Memorial Service -** A special service held to honor and remember a
tragedy victim**.**

**Military Conveyance -** Any vehicle owned, leased, or chartered by DoD
and used in the transportation of passengers for official purposes and
travel, to include aircraft, vessels, tanks, trains, and any wheeled
vehicle. This definition also includes vehicles leased or chartered by
DoD employees for official purposes and/or travel.

**Military Retiree -** A former member of the Armed Forces who has
qualified by years of service or disability to separate from Military
Service with lifetime benefits.

**Mishap -** An unplanned, unsought, non-combat event resulting in
injury, death, or property damage.

**Monuments -** Buildings, structures, inscribed stones, or other
markers erected as memorials in remembrance of persons, events, or
actions.

**Mortuary Affairs -** A function of the Services which provides for the
search, recovery, identification, preparation, dressing, casket, and
return to next of kin (NOK) the remains of active duty and certain other
eligible individuals for which the Services are responsible. This
service also includes transportation of the primary NOK to attend the
funeral.

**Next of Kin -** The person most closely related to the victim,
normally the parent(s) of a single person without children; spouse; or
child(ren) of a single parent.

**Pastoral Care -** The overall ministries of healing, sustaining,
guiding, and reconciling people to God and to one another. These
ministries include preaching, teaching, disciplining, administering the
sacraments, nurturing people, and caring in times of need.

**Point of Contact -** The organization or person designated as the
single source to relay information to appropriate individuals, media and
agencies about a tragedy or mishap.

**Private Citizens -** Any person who is not a Federal employee, DoD
civilian, member of the Armed Forces/Military Services or family members
of Armed Forces/military personnel.

**Operations Center -** The facility or location on an installation,
base or facility used by the commander to command, control and
coordinate crisis activities. Operations centers can exist at different
levels of command.

**Safety Investigation -** A safety investigation is conducted solely
for mishap prevention. It determines the causes of an accident to
prevent future accidents. Promises of confidentiality may be given to
witnesses. Statements and evidence gained as a result of such promises
of confidentiality are considered privileged and cannot be disclosed
outside safety channels.

**Short-term Assistance -** Information, support, and guidance provided
up to time of the memorial service.

**Short-term Counseling -** Individual or group sessions (8 to 12) with
family members focusing on crisis management, emotional support, problem
identification, problem resolution and developing coping skills to deal
with the loss of a significant other.

**Sponsoring Agency -** The agency that organizes the event or the
transportation of sponsored attendees.

**Tort Claims -** Claims for civil wrongs in which one party causes
personal injury or property damage to another and may be liable for
damages.

**Tragedy -** An accident in which one or more persons are killed. This
term is sometimes used interchangeably with mass casualties, disasters,
and major accidents.

**Uniform Response Plan -** A systematic response to tragedies that, at
a minimum, provides for the appointment of a single POC, ensures timely
notification to NOK, sets up a 1-800 information line, and provides
crisis intervention counseling to families of the deceased.

**Veterans -** A person who has served, or is serving, in the Armed
Forces. Various categories apply based on benefit periods prescribed by
Congress, i.e., World War II Veterans, Korean War Veteran, Vietnam War
Veteran, etc., or by earned status as a retired veteran. Benefits are
provided through the Veterans Administration.