On Saturday, March 1, the American Red Cross of South Central Georgia, Lowndes County Fire Rescue and volunteers will install around 170 free smoke alarms for families at risk of home fires in Lowndes County as part of our Sound the Alarm event. From March 1 to March 29, as part of the campaign, the Red Cross of Georgia aims to install 1,600 alarms during various events throughout the state.

WHAT:          Sound the Alarm kickoff with remarks and volunteer training, followed by smoke alarm installations in area homes where volunteer teams will also discuss home fire safety with families.

WHY:            The Red Cross responds to around 65,000 disasters a year, the majority of which are home fires. Home fires claim seven lives a day in the U.S., yet many homes have non-working or no smoke alarms, which can cut the chance of dying in half. Our annual Sound the Alarm event aims to reduce the number of lives lost through home fires by installing free smoke alarms, creating escape plans and sharing fire safety information.

WHERE    

Lowndes County Event

Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency

250 Douglas Street

Valdosta, GA 31601

WHEN:

March 1, 2025

9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WHO/SPEAKERS AVAILABLE:

Jackie Shoemaker, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Georgia’s South Central Chapter

Meghan Barwick, Lowndes County, Public Information Officer

(Interviews available with speakers following the kickoff)

VISUALS:

Opportunities for photos and b-roll of kickoff remarks; volunteer training and volunteer group photo with fire truck; installing smoke alarms and possibly meeting with local families.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from the community, including the Georgia Sound the Alarm sponsors State Farm, Northside Hospital, Georgia Power Foundation, Veritiv, Atlanta Gas Light, GreyStone Power Corporation, North Georgia Electric Membership Foundation, and Walton EMC.