Members of the Armed Forces and their families encounter stress not always experienced in civilian life - lengthy separations from family, lack of familiar support resources and ineligibility for local benefits.

The U.S. Congress mandates that the American Red Cross provide emergency-related services to our service members and their family members. Through our Emergency Services Department we work to accomplish this mission, easing stress unique to the families of service members and serving the entire community in several ways.

American Red Cross Volunteers speak to new recruits about the ways in which the Red Cross is there to support them and their families at an AFES briefing on Saturday, August 6, 2005.

Emergency Communications

The Red Cross is the official liaison between the military and their families. It is the only agency that can provide communication services for members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed anywhere in the world and their families at home. Messages are relayed every 22 seconds between soldiers and their families. Although there is no major military installation in the Columbus area, there are still many families of military personnel in need of the emergency communications services provided by the Red Cross. Paid and volunteer staff work around-the-clock to take messages from families of service personnel -- messages of serious illness, births and deaths -- and forward this information to the necessary military location. In the past year, nearly 1,000 messages were transmitted.

Contacting the Red Cross to send Emergency Message
Active duty service members, family members and individuals in National Guard and Reserves can call the Red Cross for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  In greater Columbus please call the Red Cross at (614) 251-1454.  Please do not send email.

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
• 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)

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.).  Call the Red Cross at (614) 251-1454 for additional information.

Additional Assistance

The Red Cross also provides members of the military, retired veterans and their immediate families with interest-free financial assistance for emergency needs and provides counseling and referrals to other community agencies. In addition, the chapter also helps with emergency communications for civilians in times of national or international disasters. For more information call (614) 251-1454.

Deployment Tips

• Tips for Military Spouses
• Deployment Checklist
• Tips for Returning Military Members
• How to Use the American Red Cross During Family Emergencies When a National Guard or Reserve Member is Absent

Publications

Welcome Home, A Guide to a Healthy Family is a publication especially for military personnel returning home to their families after a lengthy deployment. The guide has suggestions for making the transition smoother for the entire family. You may request the booklet Welcome Home, A Guide to a Healthy Family (ARC 2091, Apr. 1996) by calling (614) 251-1454.

Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving Military Families Worldwide provides a brief explanation of American Red Cross services for active duty military members and their families. You may request the booklet Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving Military Families Worldwide (ARC 2081, Rev. Dec. 1997) by calling (614) 251-1454.

Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving the Community-Based Military and Their Families explains American Red Cross services for National Guard and Reserves and their families. You may view the brochure online or request the booklet Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving the Community-Based Military and Their Families (ARC 1129, Jan 2000) by calling (614) 251-1454.