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Services to the Armed Forces
The American Red Cross provides military members and their families with 24-hour access to a global emergency communications network designed to keep families connected in a crisis, provide case management services and assist with emergency financial assistance.
The Red Cross has conducted a business process review of our emergency communication operation and we’re implementing changes to improve its efficiency while maintaining this valued service. In an effort to streamline and ensure continued quality service, the Red Cross is consolidating call intake, emergency verification and message delivery functions, as well as financial assistance, into four Red Cross locations - Ft. Sill, OK; Louisville, KY; San Diego, CA; and Springfield, MA.
These four call center sites currently handle the majority of all incoming cases, and will now take over processing for all incoming cases with streamlined, uniform work processes and consistent technical infrastructure.
Service members and their families should experience no interruption or reduction in emergency communication services.
Effective June 13, 2011 at 8am EDT, there will be a single telephone number, 1-877-272-7337 (U.S. Toll Free), to call and send an urgent message to a service member.
This is the same telephone number currently available worldwide. However, before this change only military families living on U.S. military installations were able to use it. Those families who did not live on an installation were asked to call their local Red Cross chapter.
Procedures for overseas calling will remain the same, with the option to call 877-272-7337 direct, access the number through a military operator, or call the local Red Cross station.
Even if service members and families call an old number, we will still be able to serve them immediately.
Our local chapters will continue to serve military families – our chapters are the lifeline to the local community for those we serve. This change allows local Red Cross chapters to provide vital services with a personal touch, including hospital programs and outreach to reserve and National Guard families, by freeing up resources from call intake functions. The improvements we are making today are the foundation for continued quality service delivery to our men and women in uniform and their families.
Emergency Communication ServicesIn keeping pace with the changing military, the American Red Cross Emergency Services uses the latest technology in computers and telecommunications to deliver around-the-clock emergency communication services to active duty military personnel and their families. When you call the Red Cross a message can be sent anywhere in the world almost immediately. We provide emergency information for domestic service members, those on ships at sea, those located at embassies or service members stationed at isolated military units.
If you are an active military member or the spouse of an active member, you can receive assistance by directly calling the toll free, family emergency number. This number 1-877-272-7337. When you make the call, you should be prepared with the following information to facilitate appropriate action:
- Service Member's Full Name
- Rank/Rating
- Branch of Service
- Social Security Number
- Military Address Where Deployed
- Home Base Unit
Emergency Financial AssistanceThe Red Cross may coordinate financial assistance through military aid societies. This help can be either an interest-free loan or a grant, and can be for travel expenses when a personal or family crisis arises which requires the presence of the service member or their family. Financial aid may also be provided when there is a demonstrated need for funds for burial assistance or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter. To inquire whether you qualify for assistance call 1-877-272-7337.
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