Media contact: Pooja Klebig 
24/7 Media Hotline: 669.209.5266
NCCRPublicAffairs@redcross.org
 

San Mateo, Calif., April 22, 2025 — The Bay Area Chapter of the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, in partnership with the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, will install free smoke alarms for San Mateo residents during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event on Saturday, April 26.  

This lifesaving initiative is part of a series of home fire safety events hosted throughout April and May across the Bay Area. The San Mateo event kicks off the local campaign aimed at reducing home fire-related injuries and fatalities by ensuring every household has working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan. 

“Sound the Alarm is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together,” said Ana Romero, Preparedness Manager for the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. “Alongside partners like the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, we’re not just installing smoke alarms — we’re delivering peace of mind and helping prevent the heartbreak of home fires. This event is about neighbors helping neighbors and ensuring our most vulnerable communities have the tools and resources to stay safe.” 

Sound the Alarm is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,320 lives since its launch in October 2014, thanks to working smoke alarms and fire escape planning. Across the country, Red Cross volunteers and local fire departments go door-to-door in at-risk communities to install free smoke alarms and educate families about home fire prevention. 

Here in the Northern California Coastal Region, the Red Cross and its partners have installed more than 55,345 free smoke alarms and made over 20,000 households safer. In the Greater Bay Area, 32 lives have been saved where residents directly credit a Red Cross smoke alarm installation and fire escape plan for their survival. 

“Home fires can strike without warning, and the consequences can be devastating,” said Deputy Chief Eric Mackintosh of the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. “Having working smoke alarms in place can make all the difference, giving families precious seconds to escape safely. We’re honored to team up with the American Red Cross to help protect our community through this lifesaving effort.” 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our 2025 national partners, State Farm and FEMA; our regional partners, FHL Bank San Francisco, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, CSAA Insurance Group, Robert and Virginia Stanton Endowment with the Community Foundation for Monterey County, Gloria and Mike Ipson, and Novato Mobile Home Park, LLC; and local partner, San Mateo Adult and Career Education and the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 
Those who want to participate in this or another Sound the Alarm event taking place throughout the Bay Area in April and May 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.