Free installation of smoke detectors and alarms will take place during the Sound the Alarm event on Saturday, May 14 in the City of Newburgh.

This event is a partnership between the City of Newburgh, the Hudson Valley New York Chapter of the American Red Cross and fellow community members and partners.

According to John Vale, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley New York Chapter of the American Red Cross, volunteer registration will kick off between 8 and 9 a.m. on the 14th at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center [NAUC] at 321 South William Street.

Remarks from City of Newburgh officials and fire department officials are to begin around 9 a.m. Teams of volunteers are set to begin heading out into the community between 9:30 to 10 a.m.

“Home fires, they claim the lives of seven people every day across the United States,” Vale said. “What we’ve come to find is that having working smoke alarms can help cut that risk of death by about half.”

Throughout the month of May across the country according to Vale, the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help with smoke alarm installation.

With the Sound the Alarm event here in Newburgh, Red Cross volunteers will help install in resident’s homes up to three smoke alarms, help residents create a personalized fire escape plan for their home and provide fire safety tips and training for all household members. The plan is to make 120 city homes safer through the installation of 360 smoke alarms.

Members of the City of Newburgh Fire department, City of Newburgh Police Department, the Newburgh Enlarged City School [NECSD] and NAUC will be assisting in the installation of these smoke alarms.
Resources and materials are to be available in both English and Spanish on the day of the event. “We’re out there to make sure each home has a working smoke alarm,” Vale said.

Vale also recognized and thanked several partners that include the State University of New York [SUNY] at New Paltz, Stewart’s Shops, State Farm, Cap Com Federal Credit Union, M&T Bank Newburgh Branch and Hannay Reels.

Members of the public can call 845-249-4228 to schedule an appointment for installation or register online at redcross.org. Those interested in being Red Cross volunteers can visit RedCross.org/STAeny. No prior experience or training is required as the training will be provided Vale said. Further questions can be directed to Vale at john.vale@redcross.org or 518-441-5076. More information can be found on the City of Newburgh website at cityofnewburgh-ny.gov.