'Sound the Alarm': Red Cross, fire department to install free smoke alarms

Courtesy of American Red Cross Tennessee River Chapter
·1 min read

The American Red Cross Tennessee River Chapter is helping with fire safety by providing smoke alarms during an installation event on Saturday.

In partnership with the Montgomery County Fire Department, volunteers for the home fire safety event will install free smoke alarms for families during a "Sound the Alarm" program in the Bel Air community from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to Loriann Tinajero, Executive Director of the local chapter.

James Hicks, left, and Dolly Mast, Clarksville Red Cross disaster program manager, show off a smoke alarm that is offered through their "Sound the Alarm" program at their office in Clarksville, Tenn. on Mar. 22, 2023. Sound the Alarm is a program in its 6th year offering free smoke detectors and installation to residents across America.
James Hicks, left, and Dolly Mast, Clarksville Red Cross disaster program manager, show off a smoke alarm that is offered through their "Sound the Alarm" program at their office in Clarksville, Tenn. on Mar. 22, 2023. Sound the Alarm is a program in its 6th year offering free smoke detectors and installation to residents across America.

“We are grateful to our volunteers and the New Providence United Methodist Church who have offered to host the Sound the Alarm event,” said Tinajero. “Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and Clarksville City Mayor Joe Pitts will help to kick off the event. These united efforts in the community help keep our neighborhoods safe from potential disaster.”

Every eight minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster. Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, according to the announcement, including in the Bel Air community. In fiscal year 2022, there were 59 home fire responses by Red Cross volunteers in the Montgomery County area. According to fire officials, similar home fire prevention measures have saved at least 1,583 lives nationwide — including 43 people in the Tennessee Region. The Tennessee River chapter along with the Montgomery County Fire Department and volunteers, have installed more than 169 free smoke alarms in 2022.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: 'Sound the Alarm': Red Cross, fire depatment to install free smoke alarms