or "SAF", as we commonly refer to this area, is focused on the emergency services the Mid-Rio Grande Chapter provides to active duty military, their families, reservists, and retirees. Our most frequently utilized service is our family emergency communication service; it helps keep families connected during times of personal crisis or emergencies. When a major illness or injury, death, or impending birth affects a military family, the Red Cross collects information and data on the situation, verifies the circumstances, and then passes a message to the service member on duty anywhere in the world. This messaging service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Messages are compiled using the most web-based technology available.  Most messages are compiled, verified and passed within 24 hours. Some messages take longer: for example, when the service member is on a ship at sea or participating in field maneuvers. Once a message is received, it can be helpful to the service member in requesting and obtaining, through unit command, emergency leave to be with family during the emergency.

This is a critical form of family linking services, and each year the Mid-Rio Grande Chapter compiles and passes hundreds of these messages - the numbers have increased since the initiation of the current conflict in the Middle East. The chapter recently received a personal letter from a military family who was helped by this service. The letter reads in part, "During a recent family emergency . . . we found it necessary to bring our immediate family together . . . in Albuquerque. My son is stationed with the US Army in . . . Germany. The Red Cross made arrangements for him to return home to be with his family during this time. A person never recognizes the privileges of having an organization (such) as the Red Cross until that time when they are called upon for help. Our family will never forget the assistance you have given us. Again, thanks for a job well done."

Active duty service members (including Guard and Reserve members on active duty) stationed in the United States can call the Armed Forces Emergency Service Center for help seven days a week, 24 hours, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number is available through base/installation operators from local on-base Red Cross stations.

Immediate and other family members, retirees and civilians should request emergency services through their local Red Cross chapter.  The toll free number for the Mid-Rio Grande Chapter is 1-800-560-2302.  Other Red Cross chapters are listed in local telephone books and on the American Red Cross national public web site at www.redcross.org.

The American Red Cross also provides 24-hour emergency communication services to military personnel overseas. Overseas personnel stationed at military installations can access Red Cross services by calling base/installation operators or on-base Red Cross stations. Red Cross SAF workers are also sent to areas of conflict when military personnel are deployed.

When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, please have the following information ready: