No matter how well you have planned, emergencies do
happen. What should you do in case of emergency while you are
traveling?
First of all make sure you have all of your important papers
with you - not packed with your household goods or in the luggage that went to
Alaska when you are headed for Guam! Numbers for your Commander,
Orderly Room and your sponsor can be invaluable in case of emergency while in
transit. Have all military I.D.s available if medical care is necessary (make
sure all dependents are enrolled in DEERS)- cross reference Category MEDICAL AND
DENTAL, Related Subject Medical and Dental Overview.
The American Red
Cross is always available for emergency aid anywhere you may
be. Contact the nearest chapter (phone numbers are usually listed in
the white pages of the local phone directory). They can sometimes
help with emergency financial assistance and contacting individuals that will
need to know where you are and what is happening.
Plan for the unexpected
and it probably won't happen. The Air Force Aid Society can provide
financial emergency assistance based upon need, through either loans
grants. Categories of financial assistance include: Basic
living expenses (food, shelter, utilities), medical not covered by TriCare,
dental not covered by DDP, emergency transportation, essential car repairs, pay
and allotment problems, disasters and assistance for widows, mothers and
children. The AFAS also offers community programs: Respite
Care; Nursing Moms; Give Parents A Break; and Car Care Because We
Care.
The American Red Cross can also help in times of
emergency. Quick communications with home about family emergencies is
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This includes verification
of death or serious illness of an immediate family member, birth announcements
to fathers deployed overseas, and health and welfare reports resulting from a
lack of communication over a long period of time.
The Family Support
Center also maintains a food pantry and participates in the USDA food
program.