Emergency Assistance

The American Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military service:

• Emergency Communication - delivers verified messages to deployed service members during emergencies at home.
• Financial Assistance - works in partnership with military aid societies to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants.
• Information and Referral - offers confidential services to all members of the military, veterans and their families by connecting them with local, state and national resources.

For assistance, call 877-272-7337 or visit our website for more information:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans.html

The Fleet and Family Support Center Great Lakes can provide up-to-date information on military and community resources in the local area and beyond. If you have questions or concerns and need a starting point, call FFSC Naval Station Great Lakes at 847-688-3603

For more information:
https://www.navymwrgreatlakes.com/programs/2e4ebdbf-d4b4-4c28-a346-a2ea43c6715b.

Remember while traveling to hand carry your important documents such as your PCS orders, vehicle documentation, financial information, legal documents, school records, medical records and prescriptions. Store important telephone numbers in your phone but also write them out and carry them with you in case your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged. Remember to contact your sponsor and your next duty station in case an emergency arises.

Following are recommendations from the CNIC Ready Navy for Emergency Kit Building in the event of evacuation or emergency:

• ATMs may not work in an emergency, so be sure your kit has about $100 in small denominations in the local currency.
• If you need to evacuate quickly, your kit should include a copy of your family emergency plan, command muster information and important personal and financial documents such as copies of birth and marriage certificates, passports, wills, titles, bill, mortgage and insurance information. You can save space by putting digital copies of some of these files on a thumb drive or other durable storage medium.

The Salvation Army Great Lakes Area Command serves the Lake County and surrounding communities with programs and locations that serve families in need with food assistance, emergency assistance, housing, substance abuse treatment, youth enrichment opportunities, spiritual care, volunteer opportunities, holiday assistance and emergency disaster services. For more information and to inquire about services, please visit the Salvation Army website (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/location-finder/) and enter the postal code for your area for specific location and contact information.

The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provides programs and services to assist active-duty and retired Marines, sailors and their families in financial need to help with such things as emergency transportation, food, rent, essential vehicle repairs, medical bills and more.

Programs and services include:

• Financial assistance
• Emergency travel
• Visiting nurses
• Budget for Baby
• Disaster relief
• Education assistance
• Thrift shops

NMCRS Assistance for Marines and Sailors located outside of a 50-mile radius of Great Lakes

Contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337, request NMCRS for whatever their need is and ARC will verify their identity, complete a budget, verify their need and contact NMCRS HQ for permission to assist.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 224-416-4677.

Emergency After-Hours Assistance when NMCRS is closed

Call American Red Cross at 877-272-7337 and request NMCRS assistance.

Office location: 

• 2530 Paul Jones St., Building 2A Ste 200, Great Lake, IL 60088, on the first deck, West Wing below The Loft in Building 2A

For more information, visit the NMCRS website.

Base Police: Emergency: 847-688-3333; Non-Emergency: 847-688-5555

Base Fire Department: Emergency: 847-688-2135 Ambulance: 911

On-base Emergency Dial: 9-911 Off-base emergency dial 911

Family Advocacy Program, or FAP, is located in Building 26; phone: 847-688-3603. Fleet and Family Support Center Great Lakes FAP counselors provide family violence prevention and identification educational workshops for commands. Fleet and Family Support Center, or FFSC, Great Lakes offers a variety of educational workshops designed to strengthen families by increasing skills to cope with family challenges and interpersonal relationships.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, or SAPR, provides victim advocates, resource information, and counseling referrals for victims of sexual assault. SAPR provides command support with SAPR Advocate and point of contact training, as well as the SAPR Advocates Forum. SAPR is housed at FFSC Great Lakes and can be reached at 847-688-3603. SAPR Hotline: 847-489-8196

Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate, or DAVA, services are available to victims of domestic abuse. DAVA provides assessment, evaluation, information, education, limited transportation, and case coordination. DAVA is located at FFSC Great Lakes and can be reached at 847-688-3603, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE or 800-799-7233.

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988. On-base dial 9-988

Emergencies can happen no matter how much planning you do, so part of your plan needs to be “What If.”

If an emergency occurs while in transit, contact the nearest military installation for assistance and contact your sponsor so they can keep your gaining command informed.

If you are not near a military installation and/or your emergency occurs after hours, contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337.

If a financial emergency occurs, you can request Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society assistance through the American Red Cross.

Military OneSource is available 24/7 and can provide you with resources by calling 800-342-9647.

Fleet and Family Support Center Norfolk can also assist with information and resources. Call 847-688-3603 for assistance.

2-1-1 ILLINOIS has a free state-wide Information & Referral system that provides a wide variety of health and human service referrals. You can access their database, or you can talk with a certified call specialist by dialing 2-1-1 toll free, seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to midnight.