This spring, volunteers and members of the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter will team up with community partners to install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during Sound the Alarm events in Berks County. These efforts are part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,320 lives since launching in October 2014.
“Every second counts when there’s a home fire and having working smoke alarms can make all the difference,” said Peter Brown, executive director of the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter. “That’s why we’re rallying volunteers and community partners to install free smoke alarms, help families create fire escape plans and share critical safety information to make our communities safer.”
Each Sound the Alarm event kicks off with remarks and volunteer training at the meeting location, followed by smoke alarm installations at area homes where volunteer teams will also discuss home fire safety with families.
IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment for smoke alarm installations by calling 570-217-1397 or visiting SoundTheAlarm.org/greaterpa. Volunteers will go door-to-door to offer home fire safety visits during each Sound the Alarm event for neighbors who did not make appointments.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families. Sign up to volunteer by using the links below or visiting SoundTheAlarm.org/greaterpa. No prior experience is needed. Training will be provided at each Sound the Alarm event before volunteer teams – with members of the Red Cross and community partners — visit area homes to install smoke alarms and share fire safety information. Volunteers under 18 require parental consent.
DONATIONS HELP PROVIDE FREE SERVICES Can’t join an event? Because of generous donations, all services are free and available for people in need. Donate at redcross.org/greaterpa to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires – which account for most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes.
West Reading Sound the Alarm
Saturday, April 19, 2025
9 a.m. (kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 3 p.m.
Kickoff location: West Reading Fire Department Station 64 (223 Playground Dr., West Reading, PA 19611)
Partners: West Reading Fire Department
Request an appointment: 570-217-1397
Register to volunteer: https://rdcrss.org/4bMbXD2
Reading Sound the Alarm
Saturday, May 17, 2025
9 a.m. (kickoff); smoke alarm installations at area homes to follow until 3 p.m.
Kickoff location: 9th and Marion Fire Station (1201 North 9th St., Reading, PA 19604)
Partners: Reading Fire Department
Request an appointment: 570-217-1397
Register to volunteer: https://rdcrss.org/426rDg5
