Volunteers like Doug Marston of Newark, Ohio are the reason the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has been so successful. Established in 2014, the campaign aims to reduce death and injuries due to home fires by installing free smoke alarms in homes; creating personalized home fire escape plans; and providing disaster preparedness information.

Marston is the Volunteer Lead for the Home Fire Campaign in the East Central Ohio chapter. He oversees the group of volunteers who install free smoke alarms by appointment, and he organizes monthly smoke alarm installation events throughout the chapters 12 counties.

A retired banker, Marston feels strongly about being a part of the community. “It comes back to how you were raised,” Marston said. “My parents have always given back to the community; therefore, I do.”

Through his ties in the community, and with his knack of pulling together agency partners, Marston was able to enlist the Licking County Aging Partners and Meals on Wheels to have them install free smoke alarms as well.

Nearly 1,300 free smoke alarms were installed in homes in the East Central Ohio chapter in 2024 and approximately 6,000 in our entire region. This work is accomplished by our amazing volunteers—volunteers like Doug Marston.