Emergency Communications Services   When a military family experiences a crisis, the American Red Cross is there to assist by providing emergency communications twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. The Red Cross relays urgent messages containing accurate, factual, complete and verified descriptions of the emergency to service members stationed anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and remote locations. Red Cross emergency communications services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, the birth of a service member's child or grandchild or when a family experiences other emergencies. No matter where a military member and their family are stationed, they can rest assured the Red Cross will deliver their notifications in times of crisis. Even if the service member receives notification of an emergency through an e-mail or a phone call, Red Cross-verified information assists commanding officers in making a decision regarding emergency leave. Without this verification, the service member may not be able to come home during a family emergency. How to Contact the Red Cross for Assistance Call (877) 272-7337 (toll-free within the continental United States) if you are: An Active Duty service member stationed in the United States or overseas, or a family member residing with them, A family member of an active duty service member who does not reside in the service member’s household, A Department of Defense Civilian assigned overseas and family members residing with them, A member of the National Guard or Reserves, A recruiter, MEPS military personnel, A Veteran When calling the Red Cross, please provide as much of the following information about the service member as is known: