Red Cross & Jefferson County Fire Department Install Nearly 300 Smoke Alarms In Madras -05/05/18

Today’s event is part of the Sound the Alarm initiative, which includes the installation of 100,000 alarms in 100+ communities across the country.

MADRAS, Ore., May 5, 2018 — The local American Red Cross and the Jefferson County Fire Department installed nearly 300 free smoke alarms in homes that need them in Madras. The event is part of the Sound the Alarm initiative, which kicked off at the Jefferson County Fire Department #1 this morning at 9 a.m. The event included more than 50 volunteers in 12 teams that installed smoke alarms and provided fire safety education and home fire escape planning.

The day started with speakers including Red Cross Regional Chief Executive Officer Candace Horter, Red Cross Central & Eastern Oregon Executive Director Shon Keely and Jefferson County Fire Recruitment and Retention Officer Kasey Skaar. Bend locals Cody Parr and Jake Woodmansee shared their story of how Red Cross responders helped Jake after his home caught fire and how the incident inspired Cody to give back to the Red Cross through his local comedy club.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM TODAY’S EVENT: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/f2C04BexIL

READ A LOCAL STORY ABOUT A HOME FIRE SURVIVOR IN BEND: http://www.redcrossblog.org/2018/04/back-to-future-to-help-red-cross.html

ABOUT RED CROSS HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN:

The Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters a year, the majority of which are home fires. Working smoke alarms in a home cut the risk of death by half, and having an escape plan further improves the odds of survival. Across the country, the Red Cross efforts to end home fires are making a difference. As of April 2018, the Red Cross and our partners have saved 416 lives and installed more than 1,103,000 free smoke alarms.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Cascades or find us on Facebook at Red Cross Cascades, Twitter at @RedCrossCasc and on Instagram at @RedCrossCascades.