Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (April 19, 2024) — The American Red Cross of Utah announced today that it has received a $45,000 grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation and a commitment from many Motorola Solutions employees to volunteer on April 20 at the nonprofit's Sound the Alarm event to install free smoke alarms and enhance community preparedness.
“We’re proud to partner with the Red Cross of Utah in supporting its Home Fire Campaign. This initiative strengthens efforts to protect families from home fires and empower at-risk communities,” said Sarah Huizingh, Motorola Solutions’ Vice President of Global Marketing & Web Experience and Chair of the American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Chapter Board of Directors. “This grant helps address the needs of our communities, particularly those who need it most.”
Empowering communities with fire safety
At the Sound the Alarm event on Saturday, Motorola Solutions employees will partner with Red Cross of Utah volunteers and the West Valley City Fire Department to install free smoke alarms in local homes. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, located at 1155 W. 3100 S., West Valley City, before moving into the community.
The Red Cross of Utah frequently responds to home fires, the nation’s most common disaster, which often leaves families devastated and in immediate need of assistance. Last year, Red Cross of Utah volunteers and staff responded to over 250 home fires and helped more than 800 people, offering support and access to community resources. “This generous gift from Motorola Solutions Foundation will directly benefit Utah residents, enabling the Red Cross to continue its support during critical times,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Utah Greater Salt Lake Chapter. “It will also aid in sustaining our lifesaving fire prevention efforts, including providing free smoke alarms and installations.”
With the ongoing threat of home fires, the Red Cross of Utah is committed to working alongside community partners to offer free smoke alarms and fire safety education. Residents seeking fire prevention assistance can schedule a free smoke alarm installation appointment at SoundTheAlarm.org/Utah. During these visits, Red Cross volunteers and partners will provide information on home fires, fire prevention strategies, fire response actions, and guidance on creating evacuation plans for all household members, including pets.
“Every day in the U.S, seven people lose their lives in home fires, often in homes without working smoke alarms,” Lafranca said. “Hearing a smoke alarm increases the likelihood of escaping safely during a home fire.”
About the Motorola Solutions Foundation
As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the globe to create safer cities and equitable, thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives. Our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education, and align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact, diversity and inclusion. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company lives out its purpose of helping people be their best in the moments that matter. For more information on the Foundation, visit: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.