In the early morning on Saturday, October 20th, a dozen members from the American Red Cross drove to the Otis Fire Station from Salem and Portland to team up with local Red Cross organizer Mitchell Hamrick, and several North Lincoln Fire and Rescue Support Team members for smoke alarm installation training.  More than 60 smoke alarms were installed in the Otis and Lincoln City. 

The national American Red Cross program “Sound the Alarm” the Home Fire Campaign helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes.  In addition to the smoke alarm installation, information is provided regarding creating a fire escape plan for the family.  A hazard checklist is also provided and reviewed with the resident.

Every day, seven people die in home fires, most in homes that lack working smoke alarms.  Sadly, children and the elderly disproportionately lose their lives. The American Red Cross wants to improve the odds and save lives.  That’s why they launched their Home Fire Campaign in 2014.

A critical part of the “Sound the Alarm” campaign is a series of home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events across the country. Red Cross volunteers, along with fire departments and other partners, canvass at-risk neighborhoods, installing free smoke alarms, replacing batteries in existing alarms, and providing fire prevention and safety education.  

In just three years, Red Cross has accomplished so much, including the installation of more than 1 million smoke alarms and prepared more than 1 million people against home fires through their home visits.

Thanks to all who came to learn and install the smoke alarms.  We plan on doing this event again in the late spring of 2019!

In addition to smoke alarms, a couple of Support Team members equipped 16 homes with house number signs in Otis as part of the “If we can’t find you, we can’t help you” campaign.

If you want to be part of the campaign, give a call!  Together we CAN save lives.