Experiencing Sound the Alarm on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

By Zain Ahmad

Zain Ahmad at a Sound the Alarm event in Philadelphia on MLK Day of Service. Photo by Jenny Farley

Sound the Alarm is a campaign that revolves around giving back to the community and has one of the most important safety impacts by educating people on how to stay away from the fire hazards. Installing smoke alarms for free has such a huge effect on the overall safety of a community that when I first did a Sound the Alarm event a year ago, I was stunned.

Over the past year, I have participated in multiple Sound the Alarm events, but on Martin Luther King Day of 2024, the experience was extremely rewarding, even more so than previous ones.

The location for the event was in the city of Philadelphia. Many of the streets have row houses, which allow fires to spread quickly in the neighborhood and hence more reason to spread the word about fire safety tips and actions. The event started in a local church. I was overjoyed to see the large crowd who had gathered to contribute their time to help the people of Philadelphia stay safe.

As the event started, we all were divided into different teams with assigned streets. Our task was to educate people about how to avoid fire accidents and to install free fire alarms if they wanted. This Sound the Alarm event was unique, as we were accompanied by the Red Cross’ communications team, of which I am also part of. This team would help share the stories of the people of Philadelphia related to fires to not only show what witnessing a home fire can be like, but the aftereffects and the importance of safety from a fire. 

Describing my experience would not be complete if I had not written about the skills of our communications team. The way that they interviewed the community members and asked them questions to encourage them to share their entire story, left me in awe. I now realize the talent required in inquiring and narrating a story.

Another unique part of my experience was the people that I met during this event. It was their remarkable life stories related to fires, whether they had endured one or not, that I will never forget. Some even almost caused a fire on their own, and later realized what had happened if that fire had actually occurred. One person shared her childhood experience of surviving but loosing all her belongings when her house caught on fire. I could see that those who have gone through such experiences were more willing to engage with us and also share the message of fire safety among their community members. It was extremely gratifying to see the family with 6 children who welcomed us to install the fire alarms and learn from us about the fire safety tips.

Going from house to house with a cart full of supplies can be exhausting, especially in 20 degree weather, but the sense of fulfillment and joy in making many lives safer overshadows these inconveniences. Every time I go to one of these events, it becomes a memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I can look back and confidently say that I have helped (or possibly saved) some lives.

Red Cross volunteers help make Philly homes safer on MLK Day of Service

By Jenny Farley

American Red Cross volunteers pose for a group photo before breaking up into groups to install smoke alarms. Photo by Dianne Heard/American Red Cross

On Martin Luther King Day, a group of about 45 Red Cross workers and volunteers spent a day of service installing free smoke detectors. The Sound the Alarm event started out at the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church on Paul Street in the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Our Red Cross teams braved cold temperatures to canvas the neighborhood, searching for people who wanted to make their homes safer in the event of a fire. 168 people in 71 homes were helped through smoke alarms and fire safety education. Volunteers installed 194 smoke alarms in just a few hours.

Philadelphia resident Shiannda Little was excited to have Red Cross volunteers install new smoke alarms in her house. Fire destroyed her last home when the one smoke detector didn’t work. Shiannda says the house “went up in minutes,” and if her daughter and a friend hadn’t smelled smoke the family may not have survived. They lost everything.

“We just had the clothes on our back and my neighbors’ shoes. We had nothing.”

Shiannda had praise for the Red Cross volunteers who made sure to test out her new smoke alarms after installing them.

“You all are out here giving back to the community trying to help out to make sure that you can save some lives, some houses, especially around this time of the year, where fires are just outrageous.”

Shiannda Little was happy to have new smoke alarms installed after her last home burned when the smoke detector didn’t work. Photo by Jenny Farley/American Red Cross

Daphne Hanford installed the smoke detectors in Shiannda’s house. With a background in chemical engineering, Daphne has been volunteering for the Red Cross for about two years.

As part of the Disaster Action Team, she has seen firsthand the damage left behind from a home fire. She spent her birthday volunteering to install smoke alarms because “it feels good to give folks things that they need in case they have an emergency.”

Daphne Hanford has provided support to clients after a disaster and said her favorite thing about volunteering for the Red Cross is “Getting to meet lots of new people and giving back to the community.” Photo by Jenny Farley/American Red Cross

Resident Destiny Mills almost had an emergency in her home a few months ago. That’s when she and her family woke to the sound of a loud bang around 4 a.m. A fire down the street caused an explosion. She saw flashes of light from the flames, and it scared her.

“I was like maybe we should leave! Let’s get the kids. We should leave!”

Destiny said the new smoke alarms installed by Red Cross volunteers make her feel a lot safer because her main worry is not getting her kids out of the house in time in a fire.

Red Cross disaster workers Maureen Streeter and Camille Focarino provide fire safety education to a Philadelphia resident. Photo by Alana Mauger/American Red Cross

Philadelphia resident Desmond Childs says he worries about keeping his daughter safe in a fire. “I have a 2-year-old and my cat, so I worry about that a lot.”

Desmond says he recently left a pot of water boiling on the stove and forgot about it.

Fortunately, he remembered in time, but the incident left him shaken.

“I realized that could have been a different situation,” he said.

Desmond had deep gratitude for the new smoke alarms installed by the Red Cross. “Thank you all. I appreciate you.”

Desmond Childs said he was thankful to have Red Cross volunteers install smoke detectors to help keep his daughter safe. Photo by Jenny Farley/American Red Cross

Callum Bhatti is one of the volunteers who helped install smoke alarms in Desmond’s home. He is a freshman at Drexel University and is originally from the Bahamas.

Callum was excited to participate in his first volunteer assignment with the Red Cross.

“It feels awesome. I mean just coming out here helping others. I feel like more people should do it. If everyone did this then I think the world would be a lot better place.”

Callum Bhatti participated in his first volunteer assignment with the Red Cross. He is a photographer and videographer who says he would encourage others to volunteer. “Do it! 100%,” he said. Photo by Jenny Farley/American Red Cross

Employees from Clarke & Cohen Property Loss Consultants joined Red Cross volunteers in helping make homes safer Monday. It was the fifth time they participated in a Sound the Alarm event over the past year.

Rich Cohen is president of the 103-year-old, third generation family business.

“Partnering with the Red Cross is a really good fit for us. As public insurance adjusters, we see people after a fire has already happened. Sound the Alarm gives our team an opportunity to get in there ahead of time and help people prepare,” he said.

Rich was at the event with two of his sons and nephew, as well as several employees. “It gives us the opportunity to do this work together,” he said. Clarke & Cohen, along with the Wawa Foundation and PECO, was a regional sponsor of our Sound the Alarm program in 2023.

Employees from Clarke & Cohen Property Loss Consultants joined Red Cross volunteers in helping make homes safer at the MLK Day of Service. Photo by Dianne Heard/American Red Cross

If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit soundthealarm.org/philly or call 215-299-4029 for more information.

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,022 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires. 

Check out all of our event photos on Flickr!

Red Cross ‘Sound the Alarm’ campaign makes SEPA homes and families safer

By Jenny Farley and Alana Mauger

During a Sound the Alarm event in Philadelphia, American Red Cross volunteer Barbara Bredell-Searle talks with resident Mary Bagwell about home fire safety and teaches her how to escape her home in the event of a fire. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

Philadelphia resident Mary Bagwell has lived in her home since 1962 and has seen a lot of fires in her neighborhood, including one she has never forgotten – when a mother and her newborn baby, just 2 days old, were killed when they couldn’t escape their home. Ever since, Mary has been worried about the threat of a fire.

So when three American Red Cross volunteers showed up at Mary’s doorstep on a Friday morning in May offering to make her home safer, she was very grateful. While Red Cross workers Chavar Hollinger and Annette Tucci-Jenkins installed three smoke alarms in Mary’s home, volunteer Barbara Bredell-Searle provided her with fire safety education that included a detailed home fire escape plan.

“A lot of things I learned I didn’t know,” Mary said. She was relieved to have Barbara help her think about fire safety at her home and teach her, as she said, “how to have a way of getting out if there is a fire and have a routine to get out and be safe.”

Mary was one of 1,017 people living in 421 homes that were made safer in Southeastern Pennsylvania during Sound the Alarm – a month-long, national Red Cross initiative designed to prevent home fire deaths. Between April 28 and May 28, 155 local Red Cross and community volunteers installed 886 smoke alarms in Philadelphia, West Chester, King of Prussia, Parkesburg and other communities.

American Red Cross employee Chavar Holliger tests a smoke alarm in the home of Amos Ford’s elderly parents while teammates Annette Tucci-Jenkins and Barbara Bredell-Searle look on. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

After they finished installing smoke alarms at Mary’s house, Chavar, Annette and Barbara met neighborhood resident Amos Ford, who was anxious for the Red Cross to install smoke alarms in the home of his elderly parents. Like Mary, he remembers the tragic fire that took the lives of a young mother and newborn baby. He was grateful to the Red Cross for their work in the community.

“It’s a good thing that you all are going around putting these [alarms] up to help people out. We appreciate you all,” he said. “It makes me feel more comfortable. I can relax knowing they’re safe if I’m not here.”

Sound the Alarm is part of the year-round Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 20,000 lifesaving smoke alarms in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and more than 2.5 million smoke alarms nationwide since 2014. The campaign has also saved at least 1,749 lives nationwide, including 33 in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Chavar Hollinger installs free smoke alarms in a Philadelphia home during the 2023 Sound the Alarm campaign. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

Red Cross employee Chavar Holliger volunteers for the Sound the Alarm each year because “it’s a good way to be able to give back.” He also likes the fact that you can have an immediate impact. Chavar grew up in Philadelphia not far from the neighborhood where his team installed smoke alarms in May.

“Hearing the stories from people we visited in their homes, that they feel safer, just makes it all worth it,” he said.

Visit our Home Fire Campaign webpage to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.

Get ready to turn and test!

By Nancy Degnan

American Red Cross graphic: How to celebrate an extra hour of sleep: 1) Check your smoke alarm; 2) Install a smoke alarm; 3) Volunteer to install smoke alarms.

The value of each life — your life— is why the American Red Cross not only helps people during emergencies, but continuously shares knowledge to help you help yourself. The American Red Cross provides life-saving tips for all types of emergencies — How to Prepare for Emergencies.

As we approach Daylight Saving Time, fire safety becomes top of mind for our American Red Cross communities. Fire experts say you may have as little as two minutes to escape a home fire, so let’s take some moments to “turn and test” your smoke alarms and increase your fire safety awareness.

Here are a few tips for fire safety in your home:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms every month by pushing the test button. Replace your batteries if needed.
• Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

In addition to fire tips, you can develop smart habits by:

• Developing and practicing your escape plan
• Following safety guidelines when it comes to smoking materials
• Taking steps to safeguard your home
• Guarding against kitchen fires

We know that every minute counts, we invite you to explore safety topics to keep you, your family, your pets and property safe:

• Fire Safety for Kids
• Fire Safety for Pets
• Holiday Fire Safety

Visit the Red Cross website to learn how to make an escape plan with your family and access additional resources. You can also download the FREE Red Cross Emergency app to your smartphone or tablet for safety tips on-the-go (just search for “American Red Cross” in the app store).

Fire Prevention Week: Two minutes may be all you have to escape a home fire

By Alana Mauger

Graphic Two minutes is all your might have to escape a home fire.

This Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15), the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania urges everyone to practice their two-minute home fire escape plan and test their smoke alarms to stay safe from the nation’s most frequent disaster.

Two minutes is the amount of time that fire experts say you may have to safely escape a home fire before it’s too late. These crises account for most of the 60,000-plus disasters that the Red Cross responds to each year across the U.S. — where home fire responses are 30% higher during cold months than warmer times of year.

“As the threat of home fires increases with colder temperatures, Fire Prevention Week serves as an important reminder to prepare now,” said Guy Triano, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Practice your two-minute home fire escape drill and test your smoke alarms monthly to help keep your family safe.”

HOW TO PRACTICE YOUR TWO-MINUTE DRILL

Practice your plan with everyone in your household; also teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do in an emergency. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a printable escape plan and safety tips for cooking and home heating — the leading causes of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, which is sponsoring Fire Prevention Week with the theme, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape.”

• Include at least two ways to exit every room in your home in your escape plan.
• Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.
• Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.
• Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced because components such batteries can become less reliable. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Tailor your escape plan to everyone’s needs in your household. If you or a loved one is deaf or hard of hearing, install strobe light and bed-shaker alarms to help alert you to a fire.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVE LIVES

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with community partners has saved nearly 1,400 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. Locally in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Red Cross volunteers and partners have installed more than 19,000 alarms and helped make more than 8,000 households safer. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners:

• Disaster Responder/Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP): Gopuff & The Wawa Foundation
• Platinum Sponsors: AmerisourceBergen, FMC Corporation & Morgan Properties
• Gold Sponsors: CHUBB, IKEA, Parx Casino, PECO & Penn Mutual

Mission Moment: Chantel Robinson turns tragedy into a force for good

By Alana Mauger

Chantel Robinson and her goddaughter Hailey helped install smoke alarms on their former block after a home fire. Photo by Alana Mauger/American Red Cross

Chantel Robinson is determined to turn her family’s tragedy into a force for good. Chantel lost her mother during a fire at her Northeast Philadelphia home on March 10, 2022.

“I think I was in shock when the Red Cross arrived,” she recalled.

Chantel is grateful for the comfort and care the Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers provided to her family, including her son Marquan and goddaughter Hailey, both 19, who were living in the home.

“It was more than the financial support, although we needed that – we lost everything,” she recalled. “It was the ongoing care, the conversations, the compassion.”

Chantel shared that Charline Scott from the Red Cross Spiritual Care Team called her every day for weeks to check in. And when she moved into her cousin’s home a few days after the fire, Red Cross volunteers came out to install smoke alarms there.

Inspired by the care she received, Chantel wants to make sure other families don’t experience the loss of a loved one. In May, she worked alongside the Red Cross volunteers to install smoke alarms on her former block.

“Awareness in the most important thing,” she said. “People need to know about the importance of smoke detectors. They need education.”

She acknowledges it was hard to return to her former block to distribute informational flyers a week before the installs, but she knows it may help save lives in her community.

Chantel is honoring the memory of her mother, Anginette, through her service.  

“Take the time to tell your loved ones that you love them. Tell them what they mean to you.”

Mission Moment: Calling the Red Cross House ‘home’ after fire

By Dave Skutnik

Bruce Hearns, pictured in front of Philadelphia’s Red Cross House in early May, where he and his family stayed after a fire in their West Oak Lane home in late April. Photo by Dave Skutnik/American Red Cross.

It was a phone call Bruce Hearns never thought he’d get. His Philadelphia home, in the city’s West Oak Lane section, was on fire.

Fortunately, nobody was home at the of the time of the fire, which started in a vacant home next door and spread to Bruce’s.

But the damage was done, and Bruce, his wife and their four children would have to stay someplace else. “It was traumatizing,” recalled Hearns.

That’s where the American Red Cross stepped in. Volunteers with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to the scene of the fire, meeting with Bruce to provide care and comfort to he and his family. They also talked to determine what kind of help his family would need. Hearns had no idea the Red Cross did this. “The Red Cross is very beneficial to the City of Philadelphia,” said Hearns.

Together, Bruce and Red Cross volunteers determined the best place for the Hearns family would be Philadelphia’s Red Cross House. It’s a comfortable place where families stay together in their own hotel-style room following a disaster like a home fire or flood.

The Red Cross House also provides three meals each day, access to disaster recovery resources, emotional support and more following the disaster.

The Hearns family called the Red Cross House home for about three weeks while repairs were underway on their own home. “Red Cross is the best. They offer the right care,” said Hearns. On the family’s last day at the Red Cross House, Hearns said, “Our family definitely appreciates you. We’re so grateful for the assistance provided.”

Daylight Saving Time: Turn your clocks forward and test your smoke alarms

By Dave Skutnik

Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 13, and the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region reminds everyone to TURN your clocks forward one hour and TEST your smoke alarms.

Did you know working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half? That’s why it’s critical to “Turn and Test” and take these lifesaving steps to stay safe from home fires — the nation’s most frequent disaster:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. That’s because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Check the date of your smoke alarms and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Practice your two-minute escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late. Include at least two ways to get out from every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows where to meet.
• Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

“As many as seven people die in this country every day from a home fire, but smoke alarms cut your risk in half,” said Guy Triano, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross of Southeastern PA. “Protect your household this weekend. Turn your clocks forward and test your smoke alarms.”

Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download our free Emergency app by searching for “American Red Cross” in app stores.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVING LIVES

The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year and most of them are home fires. To help prevent fire-related deaths and injuries, the Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign with community partners in 2014 to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries.

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Red Cross has installed more than 17,000 smoke alarms since 2014. The Red Cross offers free smoke alarm installations in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. If you need smoke alarms installed in your home, click here or call 215-299-4029.

Red Cross responding to spike in fires over past two weeks; families encouraged to test smoke alarms, practice escape plans

By Dave Skutnik

Following a recent spike of home fires in the Philadelphia area, including Wednesday’s tragic fire in Fairmount, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region encourages everyone to teach their families about fire safety and offers free resources to help.

In just the past two weeks, local Red Cross volunteers helped more than 100 people affected by two dozen home fires in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. For residents affected by the recent fires, the Red Cross has provided emergency financial assistance, food, relief items like toiletries, emotional support and has connected people to available recovery assistance.

“It’s heartbreaking for anyone to experience a home fire, but it’s gut-wrenching when lives are lost,” said Guy Triano, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “We want to help ensure families and children are prepared. Please talk to everyone in your household about home fire safety and practice your escape plan together until everyone can get out in two minutes or less.”

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE

Below are some key ways to prepare your family:

• Practice your escape plan: Take time to discuss fire safety with your family. Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm and teach them what to do when they hear it when you practice your escape plan.
• Install and test smoke alarms: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace alarm batteries as needed.

SMOKE ALARM AND HOME FIRE SAFETY RESOURCES

Most of us don’t realize we have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late, according to a 2020 Red Cross survey. That’s why the Red Cross is preparing families to act quickly through its Home Fire Campaign. As part of the program, the Red Cross offers free smoke alarm installations in Southeastern Pennsylvania. If you need alarms, you can visit our Home Fire Safety web page or call 215-299-4029.

For free home fire safety resources, including an escape plan, visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps). Children can also learn what to do during a home fire and other emergencies with free resources at redcross.org/YouthPrep.

MORE HOME FIRE SAFETY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Parents can enable the Pedro’s Fire Challenge skill on Alexa-enabled devices to have “Pedro the Penguin,” a Red Cross youth program character, guide children through engaging activities and games to earn virtual fire safety badges. The Red Cross created the skill to help children learn core home fire and preparedness skills, such as identifying smoke alarm locations, crawling under smoke in a fire and ways to cope after a fire. Learn more in this video.

Red Cross partners with Upper Merion Township to make homes safer

By Alana Mauger

Red Cross and Upper Merion Fire Department volunteers line up before hitting the streets on Saturday in Bridgeport. Photo by Alana Mauger

On Saturday, American Red Cross volunteers hit the streets to help save lives in Montgomery County. Joining them were members of the Upper Merion Township Fire Department, and the day’s project was to install smoke alarms and talk about fire safety with residents of King of Prussia and Bridgeport. The event was the last in a series of three this fall; combined, 308 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms were installed and 263 homes were made safer through fire safety education.

According to Dennis Rubin, Upper Merion’s Chief of Fire and EMS, partnering with the Red Cross has led to “well over 2,000″ Upper Merion homes safer over the past three years.

“The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) has been very clear in pointing out that the technology exists in our nation to cut fire deaths in half by the installation of smoke alarms,” said Chief Rubin. “Our goal is to tap on everyone’s door and to install alarms if they’re needed. Then in 10 years, we’ll do it again.”

Red Cross and Upper Merion Fire volunteers go door to door on Oct. 16 in King of Prussia. Photo by Alana Mauger

As fire and EMS volunteers entered homes to put up the free alarms (one in every bedroom and one on each floor), Red Crossers gave out packets of vital fire safety info and talked with family members about home fires and evacuation planning.

Elisabeth Von Baldas, volunteer lead for the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign in Montgomery County, appreciates the support of Upper Merion Township.

“We have gotten to know each other well after working in this partnership for three years,” she says. “They are very well organized and plan the logistics meticulously. We’ll continue to work with Upper Merion for the next several years as they continue their goal of reaching out to the entire township.”

Elisabeth Von Baldas, Red Cross Home Fire Campaign lead for Montgomery County, provides instruction on Sept. 18 at Swedeland Volunteer Fire Company. Photo by Alana Mauger

Around 30 volunteers took part in each event. For some, like Selena Pham, a new Disaster Action Team volunteer from Philadelphia, Saturday’s outing was a new experience. Selena teamed up with Deb Tevlin of Montgomery County, a seasoned volunteer who estimates that she’s participated in at least 20 smoke alarm installation events.

“I really appreciated working with the Upper Merion Fire volunteers,” says Tevlin, who took part in all three events this fall. “They were very willing to walk with us and answer all our questions.”

She also commended Von Baldas for her leadership.

“Liz is always organized. She’s so consistent and is such a good leader,” says Tevlin. “She has a loyal following of teammates who step up to help, even across county lines.”

Jennifer Graham, executive director, Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter, provides fire safety information to an Upper Merion resident on Sept. 18. Photo by Alana Mauger

The township already has another event penciled in for spring 2022 to coincide with the annual Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign, as well as two more in the fall.

“There are two days when you know you’re going to do good in the community—donating blood and installing smoke alarms,” says Chief Rubin, who is a 10-gallon blood donor. “And we’re doing both of those with the Red Cross.”

Since its launch in 2014, the American Red Cross’s Home Fire Campaign has led to the installation of over 2 million smoke alarms and helped make close to 950,000 homes safer. Visit the Home Fire Safety section of our website to learn more.