Media Contact:
\n\nCynthia Shaw
\n\n_408-666-6857 | cynthia.shaw@redcross.org
24-Hour Media Hotline:
\n\n855-559-0333 | NCCRpublicaffairs@redcross.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO (April 2, 2018) — The American Red Cross is seeking people to volunteer their time and help save lives at one or more of its Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events planned for the Bay Area this spring:
• April 28 – San Bruno
• April 28 – Oakland’s Fruitvale District
• April 28 – Marin’s Canal District
• April 28 – Milpitas
• May 5 – Oakland’s Chinatown
• May 5 – San Jose’s Berryessa District
• May 12 – East Oakland
• May 12 – San Jose’s Edenvale District
“Home fires are the biggest disaster threat we face, killing an average of seven people in this country every day,” says Trevor Riggen, Regional CEO, American Red Cross, Northern California Coastal Region. “Here in our Northern California region, we have responded to more than 650 home fires since July 1."
The eight local events are part of the American Red Cross national Sound the Alarm effort, a series of smoke alarm installation and fire safety events in more than 100 high-risk communities across the country. From April 28 through May 13, a period that spans three weekends, Red Cross volunteers and partners will install 100,000 free smoke alarms in these communities.
The Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters a year, the majority of which are home fires. That's why the organization launched its nationwide Home Fire Campaign in 2014. For the Sound the Alarm part of the campaign, the Red Cross has rallied an army of volunteers and partners to visit high-risk neighborhoods and offer to install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms, and help families create escape plans.
By the end of February, the Red Cross and its partners have installed more than one million free smoke alarms. Alarms installed through the Home Fire Campaign are documented to have saved at least 381 lives. Here in Northern California Coastal Region, the Red Cross has already installed nearly 13,000 smoke alarms, making nearly 5,000 homes with more than 14,000 residents safer, and educated nearly 3,000 youth.
"Grab your friends and sign up to spend a Saturday with local fire departments and Red Cross volunteers installing free smoke alarms and educating residents about home fire safety," Riggen says. "All event volunteers will receive complimentary breakfast and lunch as well as the great memories that come from serving your community."
Please help us to Sound the Alarm by volunteering to install smoke alarms, making a financial contribution, or taking steps to protect your own family from home fires. To sign up and to learn more about the Home Fire Campaign in this region, visit soundthealarm.org/norcalcoastal.
Generous gifts by the following sponsors are enabling Red Cross volunteers and our partners to reach more homes and save more lives:
• National Sponsors: Almost Family, Delta, FEMA, and International Paper.
\n\n• Regional Sponsors: PG&E, AppLovin’, CSAA Insurance Group, Dignity Health, Camille McCormack, Sanders Dickinson Foundation, Silicon Valley Bank, and State Farm.
About the American Red Cross:_
\n\nThe American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit your local chapter:
• Bay Area Chapter at redcross.org/bayarea or on Facebook and Twitter
• Silicon Valley Chapter at redcross.org/siliconvalley or on Facebook and Twitter