Emergency Assistance

For emergency assistance at Joint Base Charleston, please call Security Forces' 24-hour number at 843-963-3600 or 843-963-2695 or you may contact the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator 24-hours a day at 843-963-7272. If you are enroute and encounter an emergency situation, call 911 and/or report to your nearest Emergency Room. If an emergency might cause a delay in your reporting, notify your chain of command or the appropriate emergency response team at Joint Base Charleston, if necessary. Your sponsor can and should be helpful with coordinating notifications to command.

If a military active duty member experiences problems while enroute to a new base for a permanent change of station, he/she can call or go to the nearest military base or American Red Cross chapter. If financial help does not fall within American Red Cross policy or guidelines, a referral will be made to the appropriate aid society: Air Force Aid Society (Air Force and Space Force), Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society, Army Emergency Relief, or Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.

After arriving at Joint Base Charleston, Air Force personnel may contact the Air Force Aid Society via the Military & Family Readiness Center-Air Base for guidance and possible emergency financial assistance. The Air Force Aid Society provides emergency financial assistance on a case-by-case basis through either an interest-free loan or in cases of hardship, a grant. For more information please call 843-963-4406.

Navy personnel can receive emergency financial assistance through the Navy & Marine Corp Relief Society. For more information, please call 843-794-7662. Relief agencies can be reached online under their respective program titles.

The American Red Cross provides 24 hour service for military emergencies. This service includes communication (i.e., death or critical illness in family and financial assistance for emergency transportation to bedside or funeral of immediate family) and extensions of leave. All messages are verified before being sent - final decision for leave is in the hands of the unit/command.

All messages of critical illness shall include: name of medical authority giving doctor's statement, diagnosis, prognosis, condition, life expectancy, and if presence is requested by medical authority. Messages of death shall include person verifying death, hospital official or the funeral home, date and cause of death, and arrangements.

For emergency notifications to military members call the American Red Cross Emergency Notification Center at 877-272-7337 or visit their website at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/emergency-communication.html.

Red Cross may also provide assistance during an unexpected hardship or crisis. For financial, utility, or other resources and information contact the American Red Cross at 800-733-2767.

Make sure you have all your important papers/documents with you (orders, passports, medical records, etc.). While in transit, numbers for your Commander, Commander's Support Staff, and Sponsor can be invaluable in case of an emergency.

Dialing 911 on base will reach Security Forces; 9-911 will obtain outside ambulance or local rescue squad.

The Salvation Army is another good source of information and resource in cases of unexpected hardship or emergency. While availability of programs and resources may vary, they can generally provide assistance in a variety of difficulties, such as natural disasters, unexpected hardship, unemployment, etc.

Contact the Salvation Army-Charleston Office at 843-747-5271 or locate another Salvation Army by calling 800-728-7825.

Thoughtfully and thoroughly planning for your Permanent Change of Station is critical. The more you know the easier it will be and the better prepared you are to deal with the unexpected. This is especially important while you and your family are traveling across country or around the world. Emergencies can happen even with the best of planning, and usually at the most inopportune time.

Military OneSource

Your Support When Millife Happens

Military OneSource from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” - giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive.

Call 800-342-9647 or visit them online at militaryonesource.mil

Trident United Way

The 211 hotline is a just a phone call away or you can search their database to find services. 211 is a Family Child Care program federal designated three digit dialing access to health and human services. It was modeled after the systems for 411 and 911. Alliance for Information and Referral Services and the United Way of America are national partners driving the movement that currently services over 70% of the country. Current services include:

• Supportive listening and crisis intervention 24 hours a day
• Information about community resources by phone or searchable on-line
• Information about volunteer opportunities
• Crisis response to community tragedies
• Support group for survivors of suicide
• Training and workshops for youth and adults

Contact the local 211 hotline by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-922-2283.

Are you or someone you know thinking about suicide? Dial 9-8-8

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. They're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.