Media contact: Pooja Klebig
Telephone: 669.209.5266
pooja.klebig@redcross.org
Register at SoundTheAlarm.org/NCCR for a home fire safety visit
Concord, Calif., March 25, 2024 — The Bay Area Chapter of the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region and the Contra Costa Fire Department will install free smoke alarms for residents in Concord during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event on Saturday, April 6. The Concord event is the first of many home fire safety events the Red Cross and its partners are hosting in April throughout the Bay Area.
“Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families,” said Ana Romero, Preparedness Manager for the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. “It’s a day of coming together to support one another, especially those most vulnerable to home fires. A working smoke alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy — and as a community, we can help our neighbors stay safe by ensuring they have these lifesaving devices.”
Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign which aims to reduce the number of deaths from home fires. The Home Fire Campaign has helped save 2,063 lives since its launch in October 2014 due to working smoke alarms in homes. Nationwide, volunteers and local fire departments visit neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms and share home fire prevention information with residents, including home fire escape plans. Here in the Northern California Coastal Region, volunteers and partners have installed more than 48,500 free smoke alarms and made more than 18,000 households safer since 2014.
“Every day, we witness the profound impact of home fires on individuals and communities,” said Contra Costa Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Aaron McAlister. “Working smoke alarms are imperative for granting crucial time to escape a home fire. We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross for this lifesaving event.”
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our 2024 national partners, State Farm and FEMA and our regional partners, Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Arista Networks; CSAA Insurance Group and Gloria and Mike Ipson.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Those who want to participate in this or another Sound the Alarm event taking place throughout the Bay Area in April can register at SoundtheAlarm.org/NCCR. No prior experience is needed — training will be provided for installing smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information.
DONATIONS HELP PROVIDE FREE SERVICES Because of generous donations, all services are free and available for people in need. Can’t join the event? You can also help by donating to the Red Cross at SoundTheAlarm.org to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires — which account for most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes.
IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Local residents who need a smoke alarm can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/NCCR to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation at any time, year-round. During short home visits, Red Cross volunteers and partners will also share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.
About the American Red Cross of the Bay Area
With local offices in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or call us at (415) 427-8000. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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