Written by Kaye S.
[rev. 8/17 by WLH]

Emergency Messages via Red Cross

SPECIAL MESSAGES

 In the event of an emergency within the sailor’s family, where you feel the sailor must be notified, do so through the American Red Cross, (1-877-272-7337) or via their website Red Cross Emergency Communication Services. You must use this service for the sailor to be considered for Emergency Leave.

Circumstances falling in this category include critical injury or illness, birth, and death, involving an immediate family member. If in doubt, call the Red Cross and they will be happy to assist.

The Red Cross requires two types of information to send Special Messages:

1)      Service member Identification –

2)      Situation Information –

Even though it may go against what our emotions will be telling us to do, DON'T TRY TO SEND EMERGENCY NEWS DIRECTLY TO A SUBMARINER.  All messages are reviewed for just this kind of content.  Any information which is considered upsetting or harmful will not be given to the sailor.  The command will wait until official notification comes from the Red Cross and then use protocols for handling it.

On a sub, it's easier for one person to jeopardize the entire crew, so keeping morale safe is paramount.  Email privileges can be taken from an entire boat because one relative abuses them.  Please handle things through the proper channels.

Granting of Emergency Leave depends on the recommendation of the Red Cross, the current operational commitment of the ship, and the availability of adequate transportation.  The key point to identify to the Red Cross is why the serviceman’s presence is needed.  Commands can take no action on Emergency Leave without a Red Cross report of a situation.

Emergency Leave is normally granted only when the situation involves a member of the immediate family of the sailor or sailor’s spouse.  These are defined in the Naval Military Personnel Manual (MILPERSMAN 1050-130) as father, mother, person standing in loco parentis (i.e. person who raised the sailor), spouse, children, brother, sister, or only living relative.

Situation Information Forms

The forms below are no longer used directly, but are very close to what is requested on the web forms. It will help to have this on hand. The following information is generally required for Special Messages pertaining to births, deaths, and serious illness/injury:

BIRTH

Who is calling: ____________________Relation: _____________Phone number: ___________

To whom is message being sent: _______________­­­­­­­­­___________________________________

Service member attached to:  full name of boat & crew color

Wife’s name: ___________________________________________________________________

Baby’s Name: ____________________   Baby’s Sex:  M / F   Baby’s Weight:  ____lbs. ___ oz.

Baby’s Length: ______________   Hair Color: _________   Eye Color: ___________

Time of Birth: _________   Date of Birth: _____________   Place of Birth: _________________

Hospital Phone Number: _________________   Information Verified With: _________________

Condition of Baby (Good, unless medical complications):_______________________________

Condition of Mother (Good, unless medical complications): _____________________________

DEATH

Who is calling: ____________________Relation: _____________Phone number: ___________

To whom is message being sent: _______________­­­­­­­­­___________________________________

Service member attached to:  full name of boat & crew color

Name of deceased: _________________________________________________   Age: ______ 

Relationship of deceased to service member: ________________________________________

Place of death (city/state):________________________________________________________

Hospital taken to: __________________________   Hospital phone number: _______________

Date/Time of death: ________________________   Cause of death: ______________________

Date of funeral: ______________   Funeral Home: _________________   Phone: ___________

Burial to take place at: ______________________________   Date of burial: _______________

Immediate family in area (support available): _________________________________________

Relationship: __________________________________________________________________

SERIOUS ILLNESS / INJURY

Who is calling: ____________________Relation: _____________Phone number: ___________

To whom is message being sent: _______________­­­­­­­­­___________________________________

Service member attached to:  full name of boat & crew color

Name of patient: ___________________________________________________   Age: ______ 

Relationship of patient to service member: __________________________________________

Has the patient or the patient’s next of kin authorized release of info to the member:  yes / no

Place of illness (location of hospital or other): _________________ Phone number: _________

Name of doctor: _________________________ Phone number: _________________________

Condition: ______________________________ Prognosis: ____________________________

Hospital admission time and date: _________________________________________________

Expected length of hospitalization: ________________________________________________

If this message concerns a service member’s wife, indicate who is caring for children, if any.