Fort Huachuca, AZ

The American Red Cross serving Fort Huachuca has established a new toll-free number for active duty military members needing emergency communication services. Active duty military members and their family members residing in the same household should call (877) 272-7337 to reach the Armed Forces Emergency Service Center in Fort Sill, Okla. Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services, with the help of its military partners, is responsible for delivering emergency messages to military men and women around the world.

The new AFES services centers use of the newest and most advanced communication technology available, and the use of the toll-free number, will give active duty military members enhanced access and more timely Red Cross emergency assistance than ever before. Now all military members and their families who are assigned to domestic installations will have around-the-clock access to Red Cross emergency services nationwide through a toll-free call.

The new Armed Forces Emergency Service Center will make it much simpler for active duty military members to access the Red Cross emergency communication system without having to visit or contact the Red Cross office on their military installation or call their local Red Cross chapter. The center at Fort Sill manages calls within 26 western states. A second center in Falls Church, VA, manages all calls within a 12-state area along the East Coast as well as overseas and fleet-based emergency communications.

Fully operational in June 1999, the Armed Forces Emergency Service Center at Fort Sill serves as the Red Cross emergency communications center for 42 military installations in the Midwestern region of the United States.

For those interested, the Red Cross offers classes designed to meet the needs of the whole family. Learn to Swim classes, Lifeguard, Guardstart and other aquatic classes are available. They offer a full line of CPR/First Aid classes to include Community First Aid and Safety, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and Emergency Response. Babysitters' Training and other children's courses are also available. Classes are held both on Fort Huachuca and at the Red Cross office in Sierra Vista.

The American Red Cross has volunteer opportunities available that range from doing work in the local office, being on a local disaster team or helping teach classes in CPR and First Aid. Volunteers on Fort Huachuca also work at the Health Center and assist with the Blood Drives.

The American Red Cross office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. For more information, call 520-458-4858.