Your Red Cross Update

1,236 smoke alarms installed throughout the Northern California Coastal Region in April

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly, can save you and your loved ones by cutting the risk of dying in half.

The American Red Cross responds to home fires more than any other disaster combined and for that reason, in April, our, along with local fire departments and community partners, installed 1,236 free smoke alarms, making 452 homes safer and provided home fire prevention and safety information to 1,210 local residents.

“Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families,” said Ana Romero, Preparedness Manager for the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. “It’s a day of coming together to support one another, especially those most vulnerable to home fires. A working smoke alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy — and as a community, we can help our neighbors stay safe by ensuring they have these lifesaving devices.”

For a full suite of photos from the regional events during the month of April, view this Sound the Alarm album.

Bay Area Chapter

After four successful smoke installation events in April across the Bay Area Chapter, Red Cross volunteers and partners installed 663 smokes alarms, making 263 homes safer. Over 570 residents of Concord, Foster City, Oakland and San Francisco have their homes protected against home fires now thanks to Red Cross.

“Every day, we witness the profound impact of home fires on individuals and communities,” said Contra Costa Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Aaron McAlister. “Working smoke alarms are imperative for granting crucial time to escape a home fire. We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross for these lifesaving events.” 

Central Coast Chapter

161 free smoke alarms were installed in Salinas on April 20, after a successful Sound the Alarm event. Red Crossers provided safety information to 224 residents and made 42 homes safer.

“I am so proud of our incredible team of Red Cross volunteers. Their effort, combined with the fire and earthquake preparedness education they have provided, has made a significant impact on our community’s safety,” said Michele Averill, Red Cross Central Coast Chapter CEO. “Working together with our partners, the Salinas Fire and Police Departments, and the support of our generous sponsors, we are making a real difference in ensuring the well-being of our neighbors. I am continually inspired by the dedication and teamwork that has been demonstrated throughout Sound the Alarm campaign”.

Heart of the Valley Chapter

Over the course of two weekends of Sound the Alarm events in the Heart of the Valley Chapter, Red Cross volunteers and partners installed 105 free smoke alarms, ensuring the safety of 32 homes and 131 residents in Los Banos and Lodi.

In Red Cross Disaster Program Manager Gameelah Mohamed’s words, “The power of volunteers and partners is incredible. Witnessing firsthand how our community comes together to make people safer is a humbling experience. The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has touched so many lives, and it’s wonderful that our community was included to participate.”

North Bay Chapter
156 homes were made safer in the North Bay Chapter after two Sound the Alarm events in American Canyon and San Rafael. Red Cross volunteers and community partners installed a total of 153 free smoke alarms and educated 182 residents about home fire prevention.

“Sound the Alarm event gives us the opportunity to make a positive impact in our own communities,” said Vincent Valenzuela, Red Cross North Bay Chapter CEO. “We provide more than just smoke alarms; we ensure that families are equipped with the necessary tools to protect themselves and their loved ones against home fires.”

Silicon Valley Chapter

Red Cross volunteers, community partners and donors collaborated to install 154 free smoke alarms, making 51 homes safer and providing home fire prevention education to 96 San Jose residents.

“Thank you very much for installing smoke alarms. This helps me feel much better to be safer. I live by myself so I feel safer with these smoke alarms and items to help me out [walker, hearing aids, etc.].” said Mountain Springs resident, NgocDung Nguyen, who welcomed the opportunity for a free smoke alarm installation and safety preparedness information by Red Crossers and crew from the San Jose Fire Department.

Sound the Alarm events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign which aims to reduce the number of deaths from home fires. The Home Fire Campaign has helped save 2,063 lives since its launch in October 2014 due to working smoke alarms in homes. Nationwide, volunteers and local fire departments visit neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms and share home fire prevention information with residents, including home fire escape plans. Here in the Northern California Coastal Region, volunteers and partners have installed more than 48,500 free smoke alarms and made more than 18,000 households safer since 2014, saving 32 lives reported in the Greater Bay Area.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our 2024 national partners, State Farm and FEMA and our regional partners, Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Arista Networks; CSAA Insurance Group and Gloria and Mike Ipson.

The Red Cross will continue this work across the region throughout the year, installing free smoke alarms and conducting home fire safety educational visits with individuals and families on an appointment basis. Residents who need assistance or would like to schedule a visit with Red Cross volunteers can sign up at SoundtheAlarm.org/NCCR.