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American Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region volunteers joined forces with community volunteers and others to perform a number of different service projects throughout the area in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 16, 2017.

In Pittsburgh, roughly 20 volunteers installed close to 50 free smoke alarms for residents of the Hill District’s Upper Hill, The Bluff, and Crawford. As part of the Red Cross’ Prepare Western Pennsylvania Initiative, volunteers participating in the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign event also worked with residents to develop home fire escape plans.

“All too often we hear of people who perish in home fires,” noted Dan Tobin, Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region Director of Marketing and Communications. “Having a working smoke alarm can increase your chances of making it to safety by over 50%.”

In New Brighton, Red Cross volunteers were joined by members of the New Brighton Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Chief Jeff Bolland, and students from New Brighton High School in a canvassing event designed to educate resident on the importance of home fire preparedness.

These two home fire safety events were complemented by three “Be Red Cross Ready” Hands-Only CPR events. The first was held at the Red Cross Office in Pittsburgh for volunteers participating in the Hill District install event; the second took place at Washington and Jefferson University; and the third was held for the employees of FirstEnergy at their Greensburg Office.

Tobin added, “We are so very fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers who are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to improve the lives of others in our communities. Whether it was installing free smoke alarms, educating residents on home fire safety, or teaching Hands-Only CPR, the services provided today will no doubt one day save a life!”

The American Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region is grateful for all the volunteers and donors who enable us to serve our residents each and every day, and would like to thank those whose financial support helped to make the Hill District Home Fire Campaign Event possible: MSA – The Safety Company, Duquesne Light Company, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Peoples, State Farm, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, FedEx Ground, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.