Emergency Communications Services
American Red Cross communication services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of a family member or other important events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross sends messages quickly, anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and to isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists the service member's commanding officer in making a decision regarding emergency leave.

Contacting the Red Cross to Send an Emergency Message
Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members can call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our toll-free telephone number is available 24/hr a day , 1-800-696-3873.

Other family members who do not reside in the service members' household, members of the National Guard and Reserves, retirees and civilians may access Red Cross services through their local Red Cross chapter. Red Cross chapters are listed in local telephone books and on the American Red Cross Web site at http://www.redcross.org. Overseas personnel stationed on military installations should call base or installation operators or the on-base Red Cross offices.
At overseas deployment sites, contact the American Red Cross deployed staff.
When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, please have ready the following information which will speed the process of sending your message: 

• Service Member’s Full Name
• Branch of Service
• Social Security Number
• Military Address
• Information about the deployed unit and the home base unit
(for deployed service members only)

Emergency Financial Assistance
The Red Cross works with the military aid societies (Army Emergency Relief, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). This partnership helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel which requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day (food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.).

In 2002, the Red Cross administered a new assistance program that National Guard and Reserve troops could tap when no other financial resources were available.

In 2004, the American Red Cross, in partnership with the military aid societies, provided $4,223,137 in emergency financial aid to 4,863 service members, their families, retired military personnel and widows of retired military personnel.

How to obtain emergency financial assistance:
Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members can call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number is available through base or installation operators and from local on-base Red Cross offices.
Members of the National Guard and Reserves and retirees may access assistance through their local Red Cross chapter. Red Cross chapters are listed in local telephone books and on the American Red Cross Web site at http://www.redcross.org On overseas military installations, military personnel may access assistance through their local on-base Red Cross office.
In overseas deployment areas, contact the American Red Cross staff who are working directly with America's military to provide Red Cross services.

Questions about Emergency Communications or Armed Forces
support programs please contact us at AFES .