Killeen fire department, Red Cross install free smoke alarms

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - The Killeen Fire Department and American Red Cross wrapped up a weekend effort to install free smoke alarms and share fire safety tips with residents.

Teams went door-to-door in Killeen neighborhoods, installing alarms and talking with homeowners about fire prevention. Volunteers also helped families create emergency escape plans.

Organizers said 33 homes signed up for the service. The Killeen Fire Department said more than 70 percent of homes involved in structure fires either did not have a working smoke detector or did not have one at all.

“We’re going out for the Sound of Alarm event where we’re partnered, American Red Cross is partnered with the fire department and the city of Killeen where we’re basically educating the residents and whatnot to help them become more aware of fire safety and help them escape faster,” said Cassandra White, American Red Cross.

Volunteers said working alarms can give families the seconds they need to save a life.

“When you hear a fire truck go off, when you see what happens, the effects, um, when someone loses their life, um, during a fire and you realize that it’s because someone left um, something on the stove or someone could not wake up because of a fire, why not? This is, if I can do just one simple thing, if we can save one life, why not?” White said.

White said first-time volunteers learned fire safety basics during the event and can take that knowledge back to their own families and friends.

“When their families, their friends, their selves become more proactive, become more safe at home to help mitigate fire safety, when they learn about it, they’re like, I can do this. I can help somebody else,” White said.

The next Sound the Alarm event in the area is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. Residents can sign up on the American Red Cross website.