The American Red Cross is partnering with the Russell Rotary Civic Organization and the Russell Fire Department, to install free smoke alarms to those who register.

“I can’t think of a better way for a community like Russell to come together and host a Home Fire Campaign to install free smoke alarms for the families of their town,” said Deb Tucker, Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross.

Dustin Smith, Community Bank President of UMB Bank and Rotary Club member, said he learned about the “Sound the Alarm” event through the partnership Rotary Rescue has with the Red Cross. The Rotary Rescue is a group of volunteers within the Russell Rotary Club. They serve as first responders in the event of a fire or natural disaster to provide Red Cross services to the families and first responders. The group has seen first-hand the devastation fires cause and wants to do what it can to prevent the unthinkable from happening in the Russell community. Dustin states this will be the first “Sound the Alarm” event and wants to schedule more in the future. The Russell Fire Department does install “one off” alarm requests as needed through their partnership with the Red Cross.

“As Rotary Rescue volunteers, we have provided comfort to dozens of families over the years at a time when they were at their worst,” Smith said. “The toughest part of any response is when there are children living in the home. Thankfully the Red Cross provides comfort packs including a stuffed Mickey Mouse for children. Through all the devastation and heartache I have witnessed and families endure, the one thing that always sticks with me is the smile on a child’s face when we give them a stuffed Mickey Mouse.”

Smith said the Russell Rotary Club is vry appreciative of the support it has received from the Red Cross and the Russell Fire Department to bring the event to Russell.

“The partnership between the Red Cross and both Russell Rotary Club and the Russell Fire Department has been phenomenal over the last couple of years,” Tucker said. “With this partnership, we are now able to install free smoke alarms on Nov. 3, which will help people prevent and respond to home fires which will ultimately save lives. That is what this campaign is all about — saving lives.”

There are still alarms available for the Nov. 3 event. Russell residents can call 211 or visit Getasmokealarm.org to register.

— Submitted