San Francisco Firefighters and American Red Cross Partner for Life-Saving Smoke Alarm Campaign
Updated On: Mar 17, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, the members of the San Francisco Firefighters, Local 798 partnered with the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter to support the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, which includes the distribution and installation of smoke alarms in neighborhoods heavily affected by fires as well as the education of residents about what to do in case a fire breaks out in their home. 

Since January 28th, in the Mission District alone, there have been three major structure fires that have led to absolute devastation in our neighborhoods. Tragically, two civilians have lost their lives, others have been injured, and dozens have been displaced from their homes. A common theme at many San Francisco fires continues to be the lack of audible smoke alarms.

“Far too often, our Firefighters encounter preventable tragedies when responding to emergencies,” said President Tom O’Connor, San Francisco Firefighters Local 798. “The American Red Cross has always been there to step in to aid those in need when families are left without a place to live in the wake of a fire. Now, we are thrilled to partner with this organization on their Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to support them in their proactive efforts to educate communities and saves lives.”

Seven times a day someone in this country dies in a home fire. Countless others suffer injuries. To combat these tragedies, the American Red Cross has launched a nationwide campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries due to home fires by 25 percent over the next five years. The Red Cross volunteers are joining with local fire departments and community groups to visit neighborhoods at high risk for fires. Those visits include educating people about fire safety through door-to-door visits and installation of smoke alarms in some of these neighborhoods. The Red Cross is also asking everyone to take two simple steps that can save lives: check their existing smoke alarms and practice fire drills at home.

“We know that having a working smoke alarm can cut your chance of dying in a home fire by half, yet 5 million homes in America do not have a smoke alarm. The majority of these homes are in at-risk neighborhoods more susceptible to home fires,” said Mark Cloutier, Regional Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. “With the generous support of partners like San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, the Red Cross can make a difference in our communities by saving lives and providing help and hope to those impacted by home fires and other disasters in our community.”

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year in the United States and the vast majority of those are home fires. In the Bay Area, the Red Cross responded to nearly 400 home fires last year. You can help people affected by disasters like home fires and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to the American Red Cross to support this lifesaving campaign.

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Local 798 is the labor organization of the proud men and women that serve as Firefighters and emergency medical responders protecting San Francisco. The members of the San Francisco Fire Department rely on Local 798 to focus on the wellbeing and safety of those that protect the lives of others. For more information, visit www.sffdlocal798.org.

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 call 1-888-4-HELP-BAY (1-888-443-5722) or visit redcross.org/bayarea to learn more. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.


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