Residents in need across several Augusta neighborhoods are expected to receive free smoke alarm installation on March 15 thanks to a Sound the Alarm initiative by Augusta Fire/Emergency Management Agency (EMA) in collaboration with the American Red Cross of Georgia.
Keeping Augusta safe
Volunteers will deliver and install smoke alarms to homes along Shirley Ave, Roosevelt Drive, Kennedy Drive, Cook Road, Miles Road, Tubman Home Road and Meredith Road.
This isn’t the first time Augusta Fire/EMA has provided free smoke alarms while educating on fire safety and the reduction of fire-related injuries and fatalities – in 2024, Augusta Fire installed over 244 free smoke alarms in homes across the city.
The importance of effective smoke detection
“A working smoke alarm saves lives,” said Chief Antonio Burden in a press release. “Our partnerships with the Red Cross helps keep Augusta families safe.”
Data shows that an effective way to reduce fire-related deaths is by ensuring homes have properly working smoke alarms. According to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the risk of dying in a home fire is cut by 60 percent when a working smoke alarm is installed.
Volunteers for the distribution event will meet at 9am on the morning of March 15 at Good Shepherd Baptist Church located at 1714 Olive Road.
Sound the Alarm is still accepting volunteer help. Anyone interested in signing up to help can find more information here.
