Sound the Alarm: 400 Chances to Save Lives Across the Pacific Islands

Group pic of Red Cross volunteers and firefighters all giving the shaka sign.

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Red Cross volunteers speaking to each other while sitting on a bench.

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Local fire fighter and Red Cross volunteers sitting and listening in a room.

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Local fire fighter and Red Cross volunteers looking at a clipboard.

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Local fire fighter and Red Cross volunteers standing next to a cart with supplies.

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Red Cross volunteers sitting and listening in a room.

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November 25, 2025

By Matthew Wells

This October, the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region, alongside incredible volunteers and community partners, took action to protect families from one of the most common and devastating disasters: home fires. Through our Sound the Alarm campaign, we installed more than 400 free smoke alarms in homes across Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. That’s 400 opportunities to save lives.

Why It Matters
Home fires remain the nation’s most frequent disaster — and our region is no exception. In 2025 alone, we’ve responded to over 100 home fire incidents, averaging one every three days. These fires can strike without warning, but a working smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death. Since the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign launched in 2014, it has helped save at least 2,519 lives nationwide, including one in Hawaii and seven in American Samoa.

Community in Action
This life-saving work wouldn’t be possible without teamwork. Red Cross volunteers joined forces with partners like the Honolulu Fire Department and First Hawaiian Bank to visit neighborhoods, install alarms, and share critical fire safety tips — from creating escape plans to understanding the leading causes of home fires. Together, we’re building safer communities, one home at a time.

By the Numbers
Throughout October, Red Cross teams installed:

267 alarms in 89 homes across Hawaii.
32 alarms in 9 homes on Guam.
104 alarms in 45 homes across NMI.

A Lasting Impact
“We are grateful to everyone who supported October’s Sound the Alarm events to help keep hundreds of our neighbors safe from home fires,” said Molly Schmidt, CEO of the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region. “Home fires are a constant threat in our community, accounting for most of our disaster responses. These efforts will make a lasting difference to help save lives and protect those who are most vulnerable.”

Join Us
You can be part of this mission. Visit https://redcross.org/pacificislands or https://SoundTheAlarm.org to learn more, volunteer, or make a donation. Every action you take helps families prepare for, respond to, and recover from home fires.