Prevent, Prepare for, and Cope with Emergencies

It's a fact of military life: military families are frequently separated or on the move. This may put a strain on a couple's or family's relationship. Problems such as managing children and a home by oneself; balancing expenses on a reduced or limited income; adjusting to new communities, often without the help of family or friends; or just being separated and not knowing what's happening with your loved one.

When this happens, the Red Cross can help and assist you. It could be as easy as getting you in touch with a military support group to assist you. If long-term counseling should be required, the appropriate referrals will be made. All Red Cross social services are provided free of charge.

Emergency Communication

If a family emergency, critical accident, illness, or death were to occur to a member of a service member's immediate family, the Red Cross must verify the event in order to communicate this information to the service member through the military system. If requested by the family, an emergency leave request will be included. Proper military chain of command will decide whether or not to grant the emergency leave. Please call the pager number at the bottom of the page to reach a volunteer Red Cross A.F.E.S. caseworker.

Health and Welfare Inquiries

Regular communication between service members and their immediate families is ordinarily not a problem. Long lapses of time without email, letters or phone calls can be worrisome. Through our worldwide communications network, we can communicate your need to know of their welfare through the military. Your peace of mind will come when your service member is encouraged by his/her superiors to contact you immediately. Please understand that depending upon military operations or maneuvers, there may be some delay before your message is made clear to your loved one and returned. Service members can request the same service regarding families back home.

Emergency Financial Assistance

When an emergency arises that requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, the Red Cross may provide access to an interest-free loan or a grant for travel expenses. These funds are made available by the military aid societies.

Financial Assisstance may be authorized for other emergencies as well and are disbursed on the basis of need. Please note that it is required for the financial difficulty to occur after the service member is on active duty orders. Referrals to specialized sources of help are also available to service members and their families.

These Red Cross services, and more, are available to services members and their families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call the A.F.E.S. pager at (517) 390-0037 and a volunteer caseworker will return your call.

729 W. Michigan Ave.  Jackson, MI 49201  517-782-9486 or 1-888-782-9322