From left, Detroit Fire Chief David Nelson, Red Cross Regional Chief Development Officer Nada Charara, DTE SVP Corporate Communications Paula Silver, and DTE Foundation President Rodney Cole.
DETROIT (Oct. 30, 2025) – The American Red Cross and DTE Foundation today celebrated their longtime partnership with a focus on home fire safety and disaster response.
The two organizations were joined by the Detroit Fire Department to remind the public about the dangers of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the United States, and to stress the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home and creating and practicing a fire escape plan to help protect families from home fires.
The DTE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, has been a supporter of Red Cross home fire safety and disaster response services dating back to 2012. At a media briefing at DTE Headquarters in Detroit, officials from the DTE Foundation and Red Cross spoke of their collaboration, including two notable announcements:
“We are grateful to the DTE Foundation for their ongoing support of the Red Cross and the services we provide," said Nada Charara, regional chief development officer of the Red Cross Michigan Region. “Their generosity has helped us protect families against
the threat of a home fire and assist individuals who are impacted by disasters.”
The DTE Foundation said the grant is earmarked to support home fire safety and disaster response efforts at the Red Cross. In 2023, the DTE Foundation made a generous donation to underwrite a new Emergency Response Vehicle. This vehicle plays an essential role in a disaster response operation and is equipped to deliver food and relief supplies to affected communities after a disaster. The sight of a Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle provides a beacon of hope to communities and their residents that were impacted by a disaster.
“The DTE Foundation is proud to partner with the American Red Cross in its mission to protect and uplift communities across Michigan,” said Rodney Cole, president of the DTE Foundation. “Residential fires are a devastating reality for too many families, and through this partnership, we’re helping ensure that more households have the tools, resources and support they need to stay safe. This grant reflects our commitment to safe and resilient communities – especially in times of crisis."
The grant is part of the DTE Foundation’s philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Grant recipients are selected for their commitment to economic mobility addressing basic needs, workforce development and community development.
Home Fire Safety
Home fires are the most frequent disaster in the United States. Having working smoke alarms in your home can cut the risk of death by half.
“The Detroit Fire Department is proud to stand alongside the American Red Cross and DTE Energy – two of our city’s strongest partners in safety,” said David Nelson, fire chief of the Detroit Fire Department.
“Together, we share a commitment to saving lives through prevention and education. Every smoke alarm installed, installed, every family reached, represents another step toward a safer Detroit. The Red Cross and DTE’s continued dedication to raising awareness and providing these critical resources truly makes a difference in our neighborhoods.”
The DTE Foundation supports the Red Cross initiative called Sound the Alarm. During Sound the Alarm and throughout the year, the Red Cross installs free smoke alarms and teaches home fire safety in Detroit and communities across Michigan as part of its Home Fire Campaign, now in its 11th year.
In 2025, Red Cross volunteers in Michigan have:
When there’s a home fire, the Red Cross works with fire departments, including the Detroit Fire Department, to connect with families and provide assistance to
everyone who needs it as part of its humanitarian mission. Thanks to donations, Red Cross services are free and available to those in need. This assistance may include:
This assistance is based on the individual needs of those who are impacted.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: David Olejarz / david.olejarz@redcross.org/313.303.0606
Kayla Collins / kayla.collins@dteenergy.com/313.505.5095
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.
About DTE Foundation:
The DTE Energy Foundation (Foundation) is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy (DTE) with a strong legacy of community support and involvement. In 2024, the Foundation provided $14.5 million in grant support to 375 nonprofit organizations in communities where the company has a business presence, with a focus on driving positive, meaningful change in priority giving areas: arts and culture, community transformation, economic progress, education and employment, environment and human needs. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE aspires to be the best in the world and the best for the world. Visit DTEFoundation.com to learn more.
