FULLERTON, Calif. (September 14, 2026) — The American Red Cross of Orange County and the City of Fullerton Fire Department are seeking volunteers to join the upcoming Sound the Alarm event on Saturday, September 19, in Fullerton. Volunteers will work to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms and providing home fire safety education to local residents.

During the event, volunteer teams will go door-to-door in several Fullerton neighborhoods offering free smoke alarm installations and helping families develop home fire escape plans. The effort is part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which works to reduce injuries and deaths caused by home fires, the nation's most frequent disaster.

“Sound the Alarm is rewarding way to give back and directly help local families,” said Kimberly Aufrecht, Regional Preparedness Manager for the Red Cross Southern California Region. “It’s a day of coming together to support one another. Just one day of your life can change someone else’s forever by providing home fire safety education and helping install working smoke alarms.”

“The Fullerton Fire Department is excited to partner with the Red Cross and local volunteer groups to provide lifesaving residential smoke detectors to a Fullerton neighborhood. When a fire occurs, every second counts for the occupants and their ability to survive,” said City of Fullerton Fire Department Chief Adam Loeser. “This is a simple action that can make the difference between life and death.” 

Volunteers will receive training and be organized into teams of three. Each team member will serve in one of the following roles:

• Educator – Shares important home fire prevention information with residents and helps families create a two-minute fire escape plan.
• Installer – Installs smoke alarms in appropriate locations throughout the home. Volunteers serving in this role must be at least 18 years old.
• Documenter – Completes paperwork and records information about each installation.

Event Details

What: Sound the Alarm Volunteer Event
When: Saturday, September 19, from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Fullerton, California
Who: Community volunteers ages 18+ (for installer roles) and other interested volunteers looking to support home fire safety efforts

Home fires can happen in any neighborhood, and a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. By volunteering for Sound the Alarm, community members can help make Fullerton safer, one home at a time.

For more information visit SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal or register online at https://tinyurl.com/STA-Fullerton2027

About the American Red Cross:
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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.