SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Effective June 13, 2011 at 8 a.m. EDT, the American Red Cross established a single telephone number, 877-272-7337 (U.S. Toll Free), to call and send an urgent messages to deployed American military service members from their families.
When calling the Red Cross, callers need as much of the following information as possible: Full name; Rank/rating; Branch of Service; Social Security Number or Date of Birth; Military Address.
The American Red Cross provides military members and their families with 24-hour access to a global emergency communications network designed to keep families connected in a crisis, provide case management services and assist with emergency financial assistance. Service members and their families should experience no interruption or reduction in emergency communication services.
“This will be a seamless process, and will only enhance the ability for the Red Cross to facilitate urgent messages to active duty military members and their families,” said Marci Henderson, CEO for the American Red Cross of Central New York Region.
The Red Cross has conducted a business process review of our emergency communication operation and we’re implementing changes to improve its efficiency while maintaining this valued service. In an effort to streamline and ensure continued quality service, the Red Cross is consolidating call intake, emergency verification and message delivery functions, as well as financial assistance, into four Red Cross locations – Ft. Sill, OK; Louisville, KY; San Diego, CA; and Springfield, MA.
These four call center sites currently handle the majority of all incoming cases, and will now take over processing for all incoming cases with streamlined, uniform work processes and consistent technical infrastructure.
This is the same telephone number currently available worldwide. However, before this change only military families living on U.S. military installations were able to use it. Those families who did not live on an installation were asked to call their local Red Cross chapter.
Procedures for overseas calling will remain the same, with the option to call 877-272-7337 direct, access the number through a military operator, or call the local Red Cross station.
Even if service members and families call an old number, the Red Cross will still be able to serve them immediately.
Service to the Armed Forces has provided humanitarian support to the United States military, veterans and their families under a trusted symbol for almost 130 years. Through this program, the Red Cross provides emergency communications, supports military and veteran hospitals and health care facilities as well as providing social services to the more than 2 million military members to include National Guard and Reservists, 23 million veterans and their 3 million family members.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcrosscny.org.
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