Disaster Services Military Today's American Red Cross is keeping pace with the changing military. Using the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, the Red Cross allows military members stationed all over the world to send messages to loved ones back home during emergency or other important events. These communications are delivered around-the-clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Ventura Chapter regularly briefs departing service members and their families regarding available support services and explains 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. Emergency Communications Services American Red Cross communication services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of a family member or other important events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross sends messages quickly, anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and to isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists the service member's commanding officer in making a decision regarding emergency leave. Emergency Financial Assistance The Red Cross works with the military aid societies (Army Emergency Relief, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). This partnership 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 (food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.). How to access Red Cross services: • Active duty service members stationed in the United States and family members residing in the service member's household (example: service member's spouse) should contact Armed Forces Emergency Service Centers for information and assistance 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number for on-base personnel is (877) 272-7337 and off-base personnel is (877) 915-4357. • All family members who do not reside in the service member's household, regardless of where the service member is assigned — at a local military installation or another geographical location — should contact their local American Red Cross chapter for assistance. Chapters are listed in local telephone directories and online at www.redcross.org, under "Find Your Local Red Cross." • Members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families should contact the Ventura Red Cross Chapter at (805)339-2234. • Active duty service members on overseas military installations may access Red Cross reporting and communication assistance by contacting base/installation operators for the listing of the on-base Red Cross office or information on how to access Red Cross assistance if there is not a representative on the local installation. • Families living overseas may access assistance through the local on-base Red Cross office or through the base/installation operator for information if there is not a Red Cross representative on the local installation. In overseas deployment areas, service members should contact the American Red Cross office responsible for their jurisdiction/installation.