by Amanda Fry
Saturday, Nov. 26 volunteers from the Cheyenne area worked to install smoke alarms in over 40 homes, as part of the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign.
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| Red Cross Disaster Program Manager James Ledwith (L) stands with the volunteers from F.E. Warren AFB near Cheyenne, WY. Photo by Nigel Holderby/American Red Cross |
The weekend event was part of a joint effort between the Wyoming Red Cross and volunteers from FE Warren Air Force Base 90th Squadron.
Staff Sergeant Zachary Davidson said that he first approached the Red Cross with the idea of
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| Red Cross Disaster Program Specialist (r) instructs the Air Force volunteers about the Home Fire Campaign. Photo by Nigel Holderby/American Red Cross |
gathering supplies for victims of Hurricane Matthew. He then learned of the Home Fire Campaign, and was able to gather 10 volunteers from the Cheyenne area to help with the local project.“A lot of the homes we helped sat right next to the Base,” he said. “We have a lot of volunteers at FE Warren, so it really is an untapped resource.”
“It was a lot of fun,” he added.
Davidson said that the event was a success; he hopes to help with future Home Fire Campaigns through the Red Cross. He felt that he and the other volunteers were able to make a positive impact on the local community, and that the Home Fire Campaign is a great reminder for families to educate themselves on fire safety.
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| SSgt Davidson installs a smoke alarm while Airman Michaels (mirror) stands near by to help. Photo by Nigel Holderby/American Red Cross |
“Fire safety is something that people take for granted,” he said, adding that many of the homes that the volunteers visited had smoke alarms that were either not working or had been disconnected.
The event was also special, as members of the military were able to help many retired veterans, who were contacted by the Red Cross through the Veteran’s Affairs program.
Since the Home Fire Campaign began, the Red Cross has installed more than 499,800 smoke alarms nationwide.
The Red Cross responds to an average of 2 fire calls per day in the Colorado and Wyoming region. The organization provides support for victims of disasters, including temporary housing and immediate needs.