Volunteers Can Help to Install Free Smoke Alarms, Provide Safety Education

The American Red Cross serving Western North Dakota and the Bismarck Fire Department will install free smoke alarms for residents in Bismarck during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event on Saturday, April 27.

“A working smoke alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy — and as a community, we can help our neighbors stay safe by ensuring they have these lifesaving devices,” said Zoe Wergeland Manstrom, executive director of Red Cross in western North Dakota.”

Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign which aims to reduce the number of deaths from home fires. The Home Fire Campaign has helped save 2,063 lives since its launch in October 2014 due to working smoke alarms in homes.

“We’re proud to partner with the American Red Cross on this day of coming together to support one another, especially those most vulnerable to home fires,“ said Owen Fitzsimmons, Bismarck fire marshal. “Working smoke alarms are critical for giving people time to escape a home fire.”

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Those who want to participate in this Sound the Alarm event can register at bit.ly/Bismarck_STA or via the QR code below. No prior experience is needed — training will be provided for installing smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information.

IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Local residents who need a smoke alarm can visit bit.ly/mndakssmokealarm to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation at any time, year-round. During short home visits, Red Cross volunteers and partners will also share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our 2024 national partner State Farm and our regional sponsors, including Scheels, Sanford Health, Ames Construction, Border States, Gate City Bank, Marathon, Corwin Wilson, Uponor, and Medica Foundation.

About the American Red Cross serving Western North Dakota

The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. In western North Dakota, the Red Cross supports communities in the counties of Adams, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh, Divide, Dunn, Emmons, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, McHenry, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Renville, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Ward, Williams; as well as the Mandan, Hidatsa, & Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes) and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.