Armed Forces Emergency Services - Get To Know Us Before You Need Us
The Get to Know Us Before You Need Us program was developed to reach out to the community based military members and their families who at times become lost or hidden in their communities, therefore, the name "hidden military". This long overlooked group frequently has difficulty accessing much-needed military related social services. This group includes Reserves, National Guard, Recruiters, ROTC staff, US Army Corps of Engineers, Personnel assigned to MEPS, Military retirees, Veterans, and their families.
Military Members and Families, Keeping Pace With the Changing Military
Today's American Red Cross is keeping pace with the changing military. Using the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, the Red Cross sends communications on behalf of family members who are facing emergencies or other important events to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving all over the world. These communications are delivered around-the-clock, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
While providing services to 1.4 million active duty personnel and their families, the American Red Cross also reaches out to more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard, the Reserves and their families who reside in nearly every community in America. Red Cross workers in hundreds of chapters and on military installations brief departing service members and their families regarding available support services and explain how the Red Cross may assist them during the deployment.
Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their families back home, access to financial assistance , counseling and assistance to veterans . Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces personnel work in 756 chapters in the United States, on 58 military installations around the world and with our troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The American Red Cross helps military personnel and their families with:
Reporting and Communications
Assists with the comunication of such family matters as birth, serious illness or death in the family. The information is verified and can be used for leave requests. Emergency communication is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Information required on service person is:
Service members complete name
Rank
Social security number or date of birth
Military address
Other information required:
Hospital or funeral home
Doctor's name and phone numbers
Military Reporting and Communication cases are handled through the local Southwest Washington Red Cross: 360-693-5821 ext 1 or toll free 888-434-1966 ext 1.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The American Red Cross works in partnership with the military aid societies including the Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. This alliance helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel that 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 such as for food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.
Military Emergency Financial Assistance cases are provided by your local Red Cross.
You can see more information about how we help our military personnel and their families in our brochure.
For further assistance, please contact Service to the Armed Forces for Southwest Washington Red Cross.
