UPDATE – 8:50 a.m., Sept. 30, 2022: The October Sound the Alarm event has been postponed due to inclement weather. The smoke alarm installation event has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 8. The Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.) will remain the briefing location for volunteers on the new date.

If you have already registered to volunteer for this event and would still like to participate on October 8, please visit "Volunteer Connection" to register again with the American Red Cross. Individuals who are interested in participating and were not previously registered to volunteer are also encouraged to register to help install smoke alarms in the community. Sign up for eNews alerts and subscribe to “Fire and Life Safety Tips & News” or visit alexandriava.gov/Fire for additional updates about this event and other Fire Department news.

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2022

The Alexandria Fire Department will install smoke alarms in the East Lynhaven Gateway neighborhood of the City of Alexandria at 9 a.m. Saturday, October 1. The Alexandria Smoke Alarm Safety Installation Taskforce (ASSIST) is partnering with the American Red Cross for its “Sound the Alarm” event as they continue efforts to ensure every home in Alexandria is equipped with working smoke alarms.

ASSIST is a program designed by the Alexandria Fire Department, Friendship Firehouse and the American Red Cross to proactively install smoke alarms throughout the City of Alexandria.

The Fire Department and American Red Cross welcome additional assistance from interested volunteers to help install smoke alarms. A few hours of your time can make a life-saving difference to families facing a home emergency. If you are an existing American Red Cross volunteer, you must sign up on “Volunteer Connection” to participate in this installation event. If you are not an existing volunteer, you can register by visiting “Volunteer Connection.” Once you’re registered, scroll down to “Volunteer” and click on “Find an Event.” Enter zip code 22304 and click on “In Home Fire Safety Visits – Sound the Alarm Alexandria, VA.”

Registered volunteers are asked to report to the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.) at 8 a.m. for a briefing. Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather.

For additional information, contact Firefighter Ashley Whisonant, Community Outreach Coordinator, at (703) 746-5217 or ashley.whisonant@alexandriava.gov.

For media inquiries only, contact Raytevia Evans, Senior Public Information Officer, at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or (703) 746-5190.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3970.