For Immediate Release

July 8, 2017

For Further Information, Contact: Captain Derek Glenn (973) 877-9374

Or Public Information Officer Catherine Adams (973) 733-3995

Newark Fire Division and American Red Cross to Install Free

Smoke Alarms in Vailsburg Neighborhood

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose reports that as part of the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, the City of Newark and the Newark Department of Public Safety have partnered with the Red Cross to help reduce the number of home fire-related injuries and fatalities in Newark.

Beginning today, members of the Newark Fire Division and volunteers with the Red Cross, Unified Vailsburg Services Organization, the Heart of Vailsburg Block Club Coalition and Gibraltar Bank will be going door-to-door in the Vailsburg neighborhood of Newark, offering free smoke alarm installations in homes that need them.

“Smoke alarms can cut the risk of death from a home fire in half,” said Fred H. Schlesinger, interim regional disaster officer, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “The Red Cross is excited to continue to work with the City of Newark and our community partners to install free smoke alarms and bring potentially lifesaving fire safety information to Vailsburg residents.”

“We wholeheartedly welcome this partnership with the American Red Cross to ensure the safety of our Valisburg residents,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said. “Providing free smoke alarms is a generous contribution to individuals and families in need of this invaluable home safety tool.”

Newark Fire Chief Rufus L. Jackson added, “The gifting and free installation of smoke alarms by The Red Cross is a wonderful example of their commitment to the protection of Newark residents and property. We applaud their willingness to serve the Vailsburg community.”

During the July 8th event, volunteers will also be distributing fire safety information and talking to families about what they can do now to be prepared should a fire break out in their home.

Simple Steps Everyone Can Take to Save Lives

The Red Cross is urging everyone to take two simple steps that can save lives: check their existing smoke alarms and practice fire drills at home.

There are several things families and individuals can do to increase their chances of surviving a fire:

·  If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Local building codes vary and there may be additional requirements where someone lives.

·  If someone does have alarms, test them today. If they don’t work, replace them.

·  Make sure that everyone in the family knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.

·  Practice that plan. What’s the household’s escape time?

Since the launch of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign in October 2014, the Red Cross New Jersey Region and partners have installed more than 20,000 free smoke alarms and have helped thousands of New Jersey families learn how to create a family fire escape plan.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters each year in the United States and the vast majority of those are home fires. Throughout New Jersey, the Red Cross responded to more than 760 home fires last year, offering comfort to 1,800 families and providing emergency assistance to help meet immediate needs such as shelter, food and clothing, as well as referrals and mental health services as needed.

For free fire safety tools and resources, visit redcross.org/SoundTheAlarmNJ. For information regarding the Newark Fire Division, visit www.newarkpdonline.org.

# # #

Page 2 of 2