FAQ: Connecting Families & Military Personnel in Iraq through

What is the Freedom Calls Foundation (FCF)?
The Freedom Calls Foundation is a not for profit charity registered organization in New York. Their mission is to build a communications network independent of military networks employing state of the art wireless Internet, VOIP telephony, Video Conferencing and Satcom technology to enable our troops to communicate free of charge from their base camps with their families at home.

Why does Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) want to connect families in Pennsylvania with their loved ones in Iraq?
First and foremost it’s the right thing to do. We have many families in Pennsylvania who have sent their loved ones off to war in Iraq in defense of the United States and to help build a better world. We have the capability to allow families to see and talk with their loved ones, and we are offering this service free of charge.

What Camps in Iraq have these facilities?
Currently videoconferencing is only available at Camps Taji, Al Asad and Fallujah.

How does the scheduling process work?
The process should be initiated by both the family and the military service member serving in Iraq. In all cases the ability to schedule a videoconference is subject to the military person’s availability in Iraq. To start the scheduling process:

Families must first contact their service member in Iraq to let them know they can do a videoconference from Pennsylvania. This may happen in reverse order too, especially as the military personnel become more familiar with the FCF.
The service member in Iraq should then work with their Commanding Officer and ask for permission to participate in a videoconference with their family.
Upon approval of their Commanding Officer the service member should visit the Freedom Calls location at their camp and schedule a date and time for the videoconference.
The service member should then contact their family and provide them with the scheduled date and time.
The family should then complete the FCF/LVHHN videoconferencing request form.
LVHHN staff will use this information to confirm the schedule with the family, service member, and the Freedom Calls Foundation.

When should I arrive on the date of the videoconference and what do I need to bring with me?
On the day of your scheduled videoconference you should arrive at the telehealth facility at least 15 minutes in advance. So please plan your travel time accordingly.

Arrangements can be made if you would like a VHS or DVD recording of the session.

How does the call work?

Upon arrival at the facility you will “check-in” at a designated location and the LVHHN coordinator will meet, greet and escort you to the telehealth videoconferencing room.
The site coordinator will briefly go over what you can expect in terms of video and audio quality.
The site coordinator should pan/tilt/zoom the camera to the best of their ability so that everyone in the room can be seen.
The technicians at Camps Taji, Al Asad or Fallujah will make the call to your site and the site coordinator will answer the call as they would for any telehealth call.
Once the call is established the site coordinator will leave the room so that your conversations are private. However, they will remain in close proximity should you need any technical support. The site coordinator may also “pop in” after the first 30 minutes of the session to make sure everything is going OK.

How long are the calls in duration?
The calls typically last 60 minutes, but they could be longer if there are no other families waiting or no other military personnel waiting to use the system in Iraq.

What is it going to cost me?
It will not cost you anything!
This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM

FirstStrides

For the 13th year, we are listed among nation's best by U.S. News & World Report

Stroke Centers Earn National Certification from JCAHO

We are a Magnet hospital that provides top quality nursing care for you.

©2008 Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
LVH Info Line: 610-402-CARE
Cedar Crest & I-78, P.O. Box 689, Allentown, PA 18105-1556

Lehigh Valley Hospital has campuses in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pa. and serves the Pennsylvania communities of Easton, Doylestown, Quakertown, Hazelton, Lehighton, Perkasie, Pottstown, Pottsville, Reading, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, Stroudsburg, and the Poconos and also Phillipsburg and Flemington, N.J., and western New Jersey. You don't have to travel to Philadelphia or New York for quality health care.