(Media release from the American Red Cross of Georgia):
This Saturday, April 29, the American Red Cross of Georgia will join with local fire departments, partners and community volunteers to install more than 500 free smoke alarms for families vulnerable to home fires. Sound the Alarm events will take place across the state of Georgia this weekend in Cairo, Savannah, Rome, Lawrenceville, and Carrollton. This effort is part of a national Red Cross Sound the Alarm initiative to install 50,000 free smoke alarms in more than 50 at-risk communities around the country. Communities across Georgia will host events through May 6 with the goal of installing 1,300 alarms statewide.
In partnership with volunteers and local fire departments, the Red Cross is working to ensure Georgia residents are ready to respond to a fire if one should happen in their home. Going door-to-door, the goal is to educate residents on what to do if there is a fire, install smoke alarms as needed, ensure all warning systems are working, and help residents develop an effective plan in case of an emergency.
CAIRO, SAVANNAH, ROME, LAWRENCEVILLE, AND CARROLLTON:
WHAT: Sound the Alarm kickoff with remarks and volunteer training, followed by smoke alarm installations in Cairo, Savannah, Rome, Lawrenceville, and Carrollton area homes where volunteer teams will also discuss home fire safety with families.
WHY: The Red Cross responds to more home fires than any other type of disaster and, nationwide, home fires claim seven lives every day. Our annual Sound the Alarm event aims to reduce the number of lives lost through home fires by installing free smoke alarms, creating escape plans, and sharing fire safety information.
WHERE: Saturday, April 29, 2023
WHEN: Five Locations Across Georgia:
Cairo, Georgia
- City of Cairo Fire Dept., 555 2nd Ave SE. Cairo, GA
- 9 a.m.(kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 2 p.m.
Savannah, Georgia
- Connors Temple, 509 West Gwinnett St, Savannah GA 31401
- 9 a.m. (kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 3 p.m.
Rome, Georgia
- Rome-Floyd County YMCA, 810 E 2nd Ave, Rome, GA 30161
- 9 a.m. (kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 2 p.m.
Lawrenceville, Georgia
- Fire Station #20, 1801 Cruse Rd NW, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
- 9 a.m. (kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 2 p.m.
Carrollton, Georgia
- Carrollton Fire Department, 115 W. Center St. Carrollton, GA 30117
- 8:30 a.m. (kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 3:30 p.m.
WHO:
Cairo Rally
- Adelaide Kirk, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Southwest Georgia
- Amber Jordan, Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross of Georgia
- William Schafer, Fire Chief, City of Cairo Fire Department
Savannah Rally
- Maria Center, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Southeast Georgia
- Nicholas Earley, Battalion Chief, Savannah Fire Department
- Taknea Wallace-Johnson, Connors Temple Baptist Church
Rome Rally
- Craig Branch, Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia
- Linda Patty, Fire Educator, Floyd County Fire Department
Lawrenceville Rally
- Terri Badour, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Greater Atlanta
- Bill O’Neill, Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross of Georgia
- Frederick Cephas, Fire Chief, Gwinnett County Fire Department
Carrollton Rally
- Holly Winner, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Central Midwest Georgia
- Allen English, Fire Chief, City of Carrollton Fire Department
For Sound the Alarm events across the state of Georgia, to sign up to volunteer, or for more information, please visit Georgia Sound the Alarm Events
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from the community, including the 2023 Georgia Sound the Alarm campaign sponsors Georgia Power Foundation, Northside Hospital, Georgia Natural Gas, Novelis, State Farm, Veritiv, Atlanta Gas Light and Upson EMC.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
