LVMAC Tidbits

Red Cross Changing “Emergency Communications” System

Beginning June 13, the American Red Cross will use a single telephone number for its emergency communication services.  All military members and their families, regardless of where they live, can use 1-877-272-7337 to send an urgent message to a service member.  The number is toll free in the United States.

The change was prompted by the fact that community-based military or families living outside an installation needed to remember the phone number for their local Red Cross chapters for emergency communications, while those living on a military installation used the 877-272-7337 number. It is hoped that the change will make the situation simpler by having one common telephone number to remember in difficult situations.

As before, the service can be used to put military personnel in touch with their families after the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, the birth of a service member’s child or grandchild, and for other family emergencies.

We think the system now will use three or four national call centers located throughout the continental U.S. — none close to us.

For more about how the Red Cross supports both military servicemembers and veterans and their families (for veterans, the services vary by locality), click here … AND … for more about our local Red Cross’  unique and helpful ValleyWide Helpline, click here.

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As of 6 June 2011