PRESQUE ISLE and FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Volunteers from the American Red Cross Aroostook County Chapter and KeyBank came together on May 23 to help save lives through fire safety preparedness.
As part of their annual Neighbors Make the Difference Day, KeyBank employees paired up with Red Cross volunteers in Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, Caribou, Woodland and Limestone to install a total of 38 free smoke alarms for residents.
“Every year we choose a project that allows us to partner with a local nonprofit and give back to our communities,” Tanya LaPointe, branch manager for KeyBank in Presque Isle, said Wednesday. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Red Cross for the first time this year.”
Free smoke alarm installations are one of many programs that the local Red Cross coordinates throughout the year in Aroostook County. Volunteers visited 10 homes on May 23 to install alarms and educate residents about the importance of having a fire escape plan and a meeting place where family members can gather outside during such an emergency.
In Presque Isle, Candi Fletcher had just moved into a home with her daughter Jenna-Lee Bragg, 14, and contacted the Red Cross after realizing that the house had no smoke alarms. She was grateful for the volunteers who took time to install four new smoke alarms and discuss fire safety plans.
“I’ve been through a fire before and I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if we didn’t have smoke alarms,” Fletcher said. “I appreciate the volunteers taking their time to talk with me and help my daughter and I feel more protected.”
Barbara Rodriguez of Fort Fairfield also recently had moved into a home that had no smoke alarms. She said that having eight new smoke alarms in various rooms throughout her home will help her and her children — Naomi Rodriguez, 17, and Alex and Jaylin Santiago, both 9 — feel more safe.
“I’m really glad I decided to contact the Red Cross and get the alarms,” Barbara Rodriguez said. “When I realized we didn’t have any alarms, I knew we would need them.”
Red Cross Community Manager Mary Green said that the generosity of community members who make financial donations to the organization and volunteer is what makes the purchase and installation of free smoke alarms possible.
“Residents who have working smoke alarms have a 50 percent higher chance of escaping a fire without harm than those who don’t,” Green said. “There is a great need for smoke alarms in our community because many people might not know how to install them or be able to afford them.”
There are no financial qualifications for the Red Cross’s smoke alarm installation program. Anyone who would like more information can visit online www.redcross.org or contact Green at (207) 498-5050.
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- KeyBank employee Mick Browning installs a smoke alarm at the home of Barbara Rodriguez on May 23 during Neighbors Make the Difference Day. KeyBank and the local American Red Cross chapter partnered to install 38 free smoke alarms in 10 homes throughout Aroostook County. (Staff Photo/Melissa Lizotte)
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- KeyBank employee Mick Browning (left) installs a new smoke alarm in the home of Barbara Rodriguez in Fort Fairfield on May 23 while Red Cross volunteer Janet Rohn looks on. Volunteers from both KeyBank and the Aroostook County chapter of the American Red Cross installed 38 smoke alarms in 10 homes throughout the region as part of KeyBank’s annual Neighbors Make the Difference Day. (Staff Photo/Melissa Lizotte)
