Readiness begins for VA-TF1 with a comprehensive orientation and preparednees program for the families of its members. Deployed without warning and capable of departing in less than three hours, the Task Force must ensure its members are prepared for separations without family contact for 14 days.

To do this, the Task Force established a Family Support Services Team (FSST), composed of Task Force family members who play an integral part in its training and deployment activities. The FSST also relieves many burdens from the Department since it is responsible for maintaining lines of communcation and providing assistance to the families of deployed members.

The FSST begins its activities once new members are added to the Task Force. Once selected, these members are required to attend a formal orientation program that prepares him or her to be deployed. A portion of this program contains a section dedicated to family members, including children. This portion demonstrates what is expected of a Task Force member, as well as his or her family. The FSST explains its services regarding communication, teleconferences, repair service, medical referral, and "family chores."

Once the Task Force is activated, the FSST becomes involved in its initial planning activities, and then controls the Check-In function of the mobilization. In that role, the FSST is the first step in the mobilization process where it assists deploying members by collecting pagers and telephones, validating passport and immunization information, and securing member's personal vehicles. Once deployed, Task Force members are not permitted to contact their families, so the FSST becomes the information pipeline for the team. It makes contact with a deployed member's family within 24 hours of departure and then maintains that contact for the mission's duration.

The FSST also assists the Department since it becomes the family's focal point. This relieves the Department of the necessity to assign other staff to this task.

The Task Force could not perform its mission without the valuable support and assistance provided by the FSST. It is organized to supply timely information, necessary resources, and beneficial support for the Virginia Task Force 1 family.