The City of Alpena Fire Department and the Red Cross provide free smoke alarms for Alpena

ALPENA, MI. – The city of Alpena Fire Department and the American Red Cross are teaming up to provide free smoke alarms for the North Side of Alpena.

Community Risk Reduction Captain, Andy Marcaeu, said this project has been in the works since the start of his job. “My goal when I started this job three years ago was to complete the city in three years. I want to continue to do these blitz’s throughout the city, starting on the north side because we have more fires on that side, but eventually, covering the entire city.”

Red Cross volunteers and members of the fire department went door to door; installing new alarms and helping families create home escape plans.
The campaign was designed to save lives by making homes safer and educating families.
“You got to have a working smoke alarm to let you know that there is an event in the house. Then you need a plan. You cannot make a plan when the emergency happens, you need one before. We want to make sure that they have two exits in every room, and then to meet in that special meeting place.” said Marcaeu.

Both agencies plan to continue the campaign in months to come.