Red Cross Partners with Local Leaders to Make Homes Safe

The American Red Cross is partnering with Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) and other partners to make homes safer from the threat of a home fire during the annual Sound the Alarm campaign. HMIS leadership presented the local Red Cross chapter with a $10,000 gift Tuesday. Funds will directly assist the Red Cross in helping people prepare for, respond to, and recover from home fires.

Bob Wilkinson, HMIS President, says, “HMIS is proud to sponsor the 2021 Sound the Alarm campaign for our local American Red Cross to promote the importance of fire alarms in protecting our community. Our safety culture at HMIS is critical to the work we do at Hanford and something we encourage our employees to take home with them – fire safety is something we can all be a part of.”

Since January 1, local Red Cross volunteers have helped almost 700 people with urgent needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance, and recovery planning, following more than 160 home fires throughout the Northwest Region. In Central & Southeast Washington, the Red Cross has responded to 28 home fires and provided aid to 125 individuals.

“Home fires remain the nation’s most frequent disaster during COVID-19,” said Cody Campbell, Disaster Program Manager for Central and Southeastern Washington. “Most of us don’t realize we have just two minutes to escape a home fire. We are excited to partner with HMIS and others to prepare households and help save lives in our community.”

Other supporters and partners of the local Sound the Alarm campaign include Kennewick Fire Department, Gesa Credit Union, Amentum at WTP, and Numerica Credit Union.

During the Sound the Alarm campaign, the Red Cross, along with volunteers from HMIS and Gesa Credit Union, are educating people across the Northwest region about home fire safety by offering FREE Homes Made Safer calls (by appointment). During the call, participants will receive information about home fire safety, including how to create an escape plan and practice a 2-minute drill, as well as guidance in how to check existing smoke alarms. Those households that need smoke alarms will be put on a list for the fire departments to install smoke alarms by appointment when it’s safe to do so. Anyone can request a free home fire education call by:

• Visiting redcross.org/nwhomefire
• Calling 1-833-918-1531