On June 7, 2021, the American Red Cross (Red Cross) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) thanked Durham Fire Department firefighters for their service and partnership with the Sound the Alarm campaign.

“Through the Sound the Alarm campaign, the Red Cross and its partners educate people about home fire safety and the importance of working smoke alarms,” said Barry Porter, regional CEO of the Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina. "We are so grateful for our partnerships with Blue Cross NC and local fire departments, making homes across North Carolina safer.”

Home fires claim seven lives every day across America, with most victims in homes that lack smoke alarms. The Sound the Alarm campaign aims to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from home fires by installing free smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information in at-risk communities.

With limitations on Sound the Alarm volunteering due to COVID-19, Durham firefighters stepped up to help install fire alarms in local homes. Red Cross and Blue Cross NC recognized the fire department for its efforts with lunch.

Since the launch of the Sound the Alarm campaign in 2014, over 59,000 smoke alarms have been installed in 23,000 North Carolina homes. These smoke alarms have been credited as having saved the lives of 29 people across the state. These lifesaving resources are made possible by partners like Blue Cross NC, who has served as North Carolina’s statewide Sound the Alarm presenting sponsor since 2018.

“Blue Cross NC is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all North Carolinians,” said Cheryl Parquet, director of community engagement and marketing activation at Blue Cross NC. “That’s why we support the Red Cross and its efforts to provide families with access to the right prevention information and tools. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor local firefighters who are an important community partner and committed to keeping our communities safe.”

Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/enc to learn more, as well as to pledge to prepare your family against home fires by practicing your two-minute fire drill and testing your smoke alarms monthly.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 3.8 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

About American Red Cross:
The 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 redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.