American Red Cross of Central Florida 

Armed Force Emergency Services Help Center

As part of our Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES), the American Red Cross of Central Florida offers communications assistance when the service member and his or her family have failed in the attempt to communicate with each other.

Emergency messages are given priority handling; this includes those in the Armed Forces aboard ships at sea or in remote overseas locations. Such messages include notice of birth, death in the family, serious illness, or other family emergencies by rapid communications to the commanding officer of the ship or the isolated military unit. The report is then shared with the service member.

For immediate assistance, please call our Emergency Services department 24-hours a day at (407) 894-4141.

Armed Forces Emergency Services Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of Red Cross workers with the military in time of conflict?

The Red Cross mission is to keep the American people in touch with their family members serving in the armed forces. To accomplish this work, Red Cross workers frequently deploy on assignment with military forces to keep the communication link operational around the clock and around the globe. Other Red Cross services are made available to military personnel on an as needed basis just as they are in the civilian communities.

My relative is in the military and I need to speak with him/her as soon as possible due to a family emergency. Can the Red Cross help to locate this person?

Yes, in the event of an emergency, critical accident, illness, or death in the service member's immediate family, the Red Cross should be contacted immediately. Our Armed Forces Emergency Services unit is equipped to verify the situation and relay a message or if necessary an emergency leave request, to the proper military authorities. You can access our Armed Forces Emergency Services unit at Red Cross by calling (407) 894-4141.

Since my spouse has been deployed, my family and I have not been doing well financially. We have barely made it in previous months, but this month I will not be able to pay my rent, utility bills or even feed my children. Does the Red Cross have any financial assistance services that can help?

Yes, the Red Cross can provide access to an interest-free loan or a grant made available by the military aid society. Emergency Financial Assistance may be authorized for other emergencies as well and are disbursed on the basis of need. You can access Emergency Financial Assistance by contacting the Red Cross at (407) 894-4141.

Can the Red Cross grant leave or emergency leave?

No, only the military authorities from the armed forces are authorized to grant a service member leave or extension of leave. The Red Cross does not grant leave or extension of leave. Although there is some variation among military branches, they may provide emergency leave or extension of leave in the case of a terminally ill family member, death of a family member, serious illness or injury. Regulations of all branches of service require the service member to make his or her own request for emergency leave to his or her own unit commander. In the case of extension of leave for emergency reasons, the service member may contact the Red Cross for assistance at (407) 894-4141.

Can the Red Cross assist me in requesting that my husband be granted leave for the birth of our child?

No, the Red Cross cannot request leave for a service member unless there is a medical emergency with the labor and delivery or other extenuating circumstances. However, the Red Cross is able to send a message to a service member regarding the birth of a child. This service can be accessed by contacted the Red Cross at (407) 894-4141.

I am currently in the middle of a divorce with my spouse who is in the Armed Forces. Does the Red Cross offer any type of legal aid or advice?

The Red Cross cannot give any legal information or advice. If a service member is in need of legal services, they will be referred to their legal officer on their installation. A family member will be provided with information about legal resources in their community. For information on legal services, contact the Red Cross at (407) 894-4141.

My relative is currently in the armed forces and I have not heard from him/her in over a month. Can the Red Cross help contact this person so I know everything is all right?

Yes, through the Red Cross' worldwide communication network we can communicate with the installation or ship where the service person is stationed. You can obtain a report on the service member's health and welfare to give you peace of mind. If you are in need of this service you can contact the Red Cross at (407) 894-4141.

My son is currently in the armed forces. He is my only son and I was wondering if any statutes exist prohibiting an only son from being deployed to a combat zone?

Only sons or the last to carry on the family name can be deployed. However they may be entitled to a peacetime deferment if there is a military death in the immediate family.

The present law provides a peacetime exemption for anyone whose parent or sibling was killed in action, died in the line of duty or died later as a result of disease or injury incurred during military service. The service person does not have to be the only son or daughter in order to qualify; if there are 4 sons in the family and one dies in the line of duty, the remaining three would qualify for the surviving son status under the present law.

This provision is applicable only in peacetime, not at times of war or national emergency declared by Congress. The fact that a serviceperson is an only child does not qualify him/her for consideration.

Does Red Cross of Central Florida provide Veterans Services?

Although in the past Red Cross has offered Veterans Services, we currently do not. Veterans in Central Florida who wish to access services can locate their local State Division of Veterans' Affairs or County Veterans Services via the internet at http://www.va.gov/ or call toll free 1-800-827-1000.

I would like to write letters and/or send care packages to the soldiers in Iraq. What do I need to do?

The American Red Cross of Central Florida is not collecting letters or care packages to be sent to soldiers. The Department of Defense (DoD) has advised us of heightening security concerns and transportation restrictions, and has further cautioned us against collecting a large amount of goods. In the past, the military and DoD have accepted care packages directed to "Any Service Member". However, the DoD has suspended its own "Any Service Member" services due to security and logistical concerns. Finally, because the public has been so generous with quality of life items, there are more than enough goods currently in the distribution pipeline to last an estimated four months. However, electronic messages of support and gratitude can be sent through "Operation Dear Abby" at http://operationdearabby.net/

You can also help by making a donation to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) - Iraq Response program. Around the clock and around the globe, during times of personal crisis, AFES provides assistance and comfort to U.S. military members and their families. Your gift will support the nationally coordinated Red Cross services provided to military families across the country and to the American service men and women located throughout the world. Click here to make an online donation.

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Headquarters: 5 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone: (407) 894-4141

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