Service to the Armed Forces
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 quickly sends these communications on behalf of the family to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists the service member's commanding officer with making a decision regarding emergency leave.

How to Contact the Red Cross to Send an Emergency Message

• Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members may call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for help 7 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 Red Cross offices.
• 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.

When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, it is helpful to have the following information:

Service member’s:

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

The Landings Military Family Relief Fund

In 2007 a group of Red Cross Volunteers living in The Landings formed a fundraising committee to establish an emergency financial assistance fund for active duty military, national guard reservests on active duty and their families. The Landings Military Family Relief Fund has raised over $400,000 to date and is a restricted fund facilitated by the Savannah Red Cross to support military families in need. The intent of the fund is to offer rapid assistance to military families experiencing financial difficulties. The fund supplements existing military programs like Army Emergency Relief, Army Community Services and The Chaplain's Fund. The Landings Military Family Relief Fund provides grants, not loans to the Military and their families as determined by the fund committee.