WHO:               Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services, American Red Cross, and Community Volunteers.   

 WHAT:               The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is teaming up with the American Red Cross to conduct a neighborhood smoke alarm blitz as part of the American Red Cross - National Sound the Alarm Campaign. Firefighters, Red Cross representatives, and community volunteers will be going door-to-door offering free smoke alarm checks and home fire safety information for residents. Teams will be prepared to install a free smoke alarm provided by the American Red Cross in homes that are unprotected.The smoke alarm blitz will take place at the Kingsport Subdivision off Monfort Road in unincorporated Lawrenceville.

 Activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a kickoff to take place at Gwinnett County Fire Station 20, located at 1801 Cruise Road NW in Lawrenceville. Teams will gather at the fire station to receive a quick lesson on filling out paperwork and how to properly install smoke alarms.

 Gwinnett County Fire Chief Fred Cephas, along with representatives from the American Red Cross will make opening remarks at 9:00 a.m. Chief Cephas and Red Cross representatives will be available for media interviews.  

 WHEN:            Saturday, April 29, starting at 9:00 a.m. 

 WHERE:           Event kickoff and opening remarks will take place at Gwinnett County Fire Station 20 and will be a great time for media soundbites with leaders and participants. The neighborhood smoke alarm blitz will start at 10 a.m. in the Kingsport Subdivision.

 WHY:               The best defense residents have when a fire breaks out is the presence of working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms provide early warning and allows occupants to safely escape from a burning home. Working smoke alarms, home escape plans, and practicing fire drills saves lives and protects property.       

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