How to Use the American Red Cross During Family Emergencies When a National Guard or Reserve Member is Absent

No one ever said that families of the Reserve Component (Reserves and National Guard) or any other community-based military was going to be easy for you. Military life, in fact, often creates unforeseen hardships.

The good news is that the American Red Cross helps community-based military members and their families cope with separation and other special needs related to service in the armed forces. You are entitled to the same valuable Red Cross emergency services as the families of full time active duty military personnel.

If your loved one is away from home because of military duty and you need to get in touch with him or her in the event of an emergency, then the American Red Cross can help. To assist us in quickly locating your them and sending an emergency message, please have ready 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)

Red Cross verifies this information and relays it to the appropriate command where it is up to the military Whether the service member returns home. Remember, a service member can only come home in an emergency situation.

Be prepared
Always have your local Red Cross chapter or station phone number readily available and share the above information with a trusted friend.

Stay in touch with loved ones
Red Cross worldwide emergency communications network operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They can help you send emergency messages regarding the death or serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or other family emergencies.

Get verification of emergency leave information
The Red Cross can provide your Reservist's or Guardsman's commander with fast, reliable information to help make decisions regarding emergency leave.

Secure emergency financial assistance
The Red Cross collaborates with the military aid societies in facilitating access to financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises, that is, when your service member might need financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter.