We need to make sure people understand the value of working smoke alarms and home fire escape plans.
The American Red Cross, working alongside our community partners, installed nearly 370 free smoke alarms during Sound the Alarm events in Beltzhoover and Butler on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
“Unfortunately, the winter months bring with them what we at the Red Cross often refer to as fire season,” noted Dan Tobin, American Red Cross Director of Marketing and Communications. “Now, more than ever, we need to make sure people understand the value of having working smoke alarms and home fire escape plans.”
Throughout the fall, the Red Cross has installed close to 600 free smoke alarms in the Pittsburgh Hilltop communities of Knoxville and Allentown. Today, following the event Beltzhoover, that number has risen to nearly 900 free smoke alarms and countless homes made safer through home fire safety education!
Tobin added, “Working in partnership with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire and the Beltzhoover Consensus Group, we have been able to make the city’s Hilltop neighborhoods safer and better prepared to respond should a home fire strike.”
Meanwhile, up in Butler, teams of Red Cross volunteers canvassed the area that was hit hard by flash flooding this past July. Roughly 25 volunteers went door-to-door in the community, installing over 100 free smoke alarms and educating the residents on home fire prevention and safety.
“Having a home fire escape plan and a working smoke alarm can give you and your family the time needed to safely escape during a home fire,” Tobin stated. “This past summer we were able to provide emergency disaster relief to the resident of Butler following the devastating storms that left parts of the community under water. Today we were able to return to the area to make sure the community understood the importance of home fire safety and prevention.”
State Senator Wayne Fontana and American Red Cross Western Pennsylvania CEO Patricia Waldinger were on-hand to greet and thank the volunteers for their service in Beltzhoover. Red Cross West Central Executive Director Mary Rogers underscored the importance of the service provided to the volunteers who had assembled in Butler.
The American Red Cross is extremely grateful to all those who took part in today’s events. Most notably, the Red Cross would like to acknowledge State Senator Wayne Fontana, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, Pittsburgh Police, Beltzhoover Consensus Group, Voices Against Violence Community Service Group, Columbia Gas, MSA-The Safety Company, Erie Insurance, three Pitt Fraternities and Sororities – Delta Sigma Phi, Delta Chi, and Theta Phi Alpha, and Black Market Catering, Deli & Beef Jerky for their support of today’s events.
Tobin concluded, “No doubt, the service provided by the volunteers who participate in our Sound the Alarm events will one day save a life. I can think of no better way to spend a day, than by providing the education and resources needed to make our communities and our neighbors safe.”