Update emergency data regularly for peace of mind Published Sept. 6, 2013 By Sandra Pishner 446th Airlift Wing MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- If something bad were to happen to you while serving in the Air Force Reserve, who do you want to be called? What's their number? Where do they live? Air Force officials turn to your Virtual Record of Emergency Data for this information. So the real question is, is your data up to date? The Virtual Record of Emergency Data, commonly referred to as vRED, satisfies the requirement of the DD Form 93, and is the official source document required by law for a Reservist to provide the Air Force with emergency contact information in the event he or she becomes a casualty. "As servicemembers, we usually remember to update our emergency data prior to a deployment or exercise. Non-combat related incidents such as car accidents happen daily so we should get in the practice of verifying our records at a minimum of twice a year," said Tech. Sgt. Marvin Holland, 446th Force Support Squadron. It is the Reservist's responsibility to keep the emergency data current. "As Air Force Reservists we have a duty to keep our Record of Emergency Data with updated information of primary and secondary next-of-kin upon marriage, divorce, and the birth of a child or any other significant life changing event," said Holland. "If any of the information changes, the vRED should be updated as soon as possible. Delays in next of kin notification are most often associated with incomplete or outdated information." To update your emergency data, follow these instructions: Log onto the Air Force Portal Click on the virtual MPF link; verify your contact information Click on: I have verified my e-mail and phone; this will take to the next page Click on: Record of Emergency Data and update information Review the introduction page and click on the "Next Page" link to continue Follow the instructions on the Information Review page and make any correction as needed Click on: Submit "If a Reservist is having trouble updating their emergency data information in vRED, it's likely a result of outdated or conflicting data between MiLPDS and DEERS," Holland explains. Servicemembers should identify a Person Authorized to Direct Disposition of the deceased. This is the individual the servicemember appoints to oversee arrangements after their death and whom the Air Force will take direction from in fulfilling the the servicemember's wishes. In addition to keeping emergency contact information up to date Servicemembers Group Life Insurance forms are among the first documents the Air Force will turn to in the event an Air Force Reservists is very seriously injured or dies. Holland says Reservists should not confuse their vRED with their SGLI beneficiary designation. "That's a separate death benefit. To make changes to SGLI insurance, the Reservist must come to the 446th FSS customer support section," Holland explains. "Unfortunately, we sometimes find out when we need to notify family members of injury or the death of a servicemember, that the information in both the Form 93 and SGLI is outdated or incomplete which hampers the notification process. Not maintaining up-to-date information delays notification to next-of-kin and the distribution of death benefits," said Holland. While illness and death are not the most popular topics to discuss, members should take the time to address the subject with their loved ones. "Reservists can take a great deal of stress off their family by making sure someone knows their final wishes. This can be accomplished by having a will in-place. When a servicemember dies, a Uniformed Casualty Notification Officer is assigned to contact their family and notifies the family of the death of their servicemember and to assist the family," said Holland. A servicemember's designated beneficiary may receive multiple death benefits, such as death gratuity, SGLI, unpaid pay and allowances and possible survivor benefit entitlements of the servicemember. Out dated emergency data can delay notification of next-of-kin and even result in benefits being distributed to former spouses. Every servicemember is encouraged to review their records and keep them up-to-date. Maintaining accurate personnel and service records is a key element of readiness.