Emergency Assistance

Look for and contact the nearest military installation. The Military and Family Readiness Center, Army Community Service or Navy Family Support Center can provide you invaluable assistance if needed. Plan for the unexpected and it probably won't happen!

Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the United States Air Force. The Society has promoted the Air Force mission by providing worldwide emergency assistance, sponsoring education assistance programs, and offering a variety of base community enhancement programs that improve quality of life for airmen and their families. The Altus Air Force Aid Society office is located at the Military and Family Readiness Center in Building 52 and may be reached by calling 580-481-6761 or DSN 312-866-6761. Our hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For Altus, emergency assistance after normal duty hours and on weekends/holidays is handled via the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Center by calling toll-free 877-272-7337.

Air Force Aid Society emergency assistance is available to meet immediate needs in an emergency situation. Each case is reviewed on an individual basis. The Air Force Aid Society serves all branches of service by coordinating with the other Emergency Relief programs. Often services are joined with the efforts of the Red Cross to ensure total assistance to the member and their families.

The Society provides interest free loans and grants based on the individual situation for needs such as:

• Basic Living Expenses
• Emergency Travel
• Vehicle Expenses
• Funeral Expenses
• Medical/Dental
• Child Care
• Moving Expenses
• Miscellaneous Expenses

Eligibility:

• Active duty Air Force personnel and their eligible family members
• Retired Air Force personnel and their eligible family members, but not on a continuing basis, and based on a case-by-case review
• Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve personnel away from home station on extended active duty 15 days or more under Title 10 USC
• Spouses and dependent age children of deceased Air Force personnel who died on active duty or in retired status

Where do you go for help? 

If you are at your home base visit your Air Force Aid Society Section. AFAS Sections are located at all Air Force Bases, worldwide. Most are located in the M&FRC. If you are away from your home base but near another Air Force Base you may receive assistance at any Air Force Base. Again most Air Force Aid Sections are in the M&FRC. If you are away from your home base, but not near another Air Force Base: The Air Force Aid Society has reciprocal agreements that allow you to receive assistance through Relief Agencies of other branches of the military or the American Red Cross.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross can also help in times of emergency and is always available for emergency aid anywhere you may be. Rapid communication between service members and home about family emergencies is available 24 hours a day. These communications include verifications of death or serious illness of immediate family, birth announcements to fathers deployed overseas, and health and welfare reports resulting from a lack of communication over a long period of time.

Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members may call the Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Center toll-free for help 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 877-272-7337. The toll-free telephone number is also available through base or installation operators and from the local Red Cross chapter listed in the local telephone directory. The Southwest Oklahoma Chapter located at 905 N. Willard in Altus services Greer, Harmon, Jackson and Kiowa Counties. To contact the Southwest Oklahoma Chapter call 580-482-5303 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 888-405-9543 after hours.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army social service programs meet the basic needs of daily life for those without the resources to do so themselves. Often, the programs provide food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance to pay utilities, and other necessities based on the need. The Salvation Army in Altus assists residents of Jackson and Greer Counties with food, clothing, and utility assistance. Call the Salvation Army at 580-482-8577 or visit them at 1100 N. Park Lane in Altus.  (This Service is Not Unavailable Right Now). 

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is open to the public with clothing, furniture, bedding, toys and household items to help establish a household at minimal cost. The Thrift Store may be contacted by calling 580-482-4236 or visiting the store at 110 N. Main in Altus.

Information and Referral Services

Anytime you need assistance and do not know where to turn, the Altus Military and Family Readiness Center is available to assist and direct you to appropriate on-base agencies and to off-base community service agencies. To contact us please call 580-481-6761 or DSN 312-866-6761.

Ensure you have all your important papers with you and not packed with your household goods.

Should you encounter an emergency while en route to Altus have the numbers for your Commander, CSS/UPC, or your Sponsor.

They can be invaluable in case of an emergency while in-transit.

Important Documents:

• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificates of all family members
• Immunization records of all family members
• Citizenship papers, if applicable
• Adoption papers, if applicable
• Divorce papers, if applicable
• Armed Forces ID card(s)
• Insurance cards
• Leave and earning statements
• Credit card records
• Bank records (checking & savings)
• Power of Attorney
• Personal Will
• Stock or bonds records
• State & Federal tax records
• Car, boat, motorcycle, trailer, etc. registration & title(s)
• Real estate deeds & mortgages
• Driver’s license(s)
• All family member social security numbers
• Transportation & shipping documents
• Storage documents
• Voter registration information
• Emergency data information
• Official college transcripts
• School records
• Pet immunization/records
• Family care plan information
• Sentimental items (photos, jewelry, etc.)

No matter how well you've planned, emergencies do happen.

It is important that family members know how to contact you while you are en route to your new assignment.

All military members in transit should give a copy of their orders and itinerary to a family member who is not traveling with them.

This gives family members, law enforcement officials, etc., a way to contact you in case of an emergency.

Always carry a copy of your leave and earnings statement and your orders with you!