Red Cross to Kick Off Home Fire Preparedness Campaign Saturday in Schenectady, Amsterdam

WHAT: The American Red Cross recently announced a new campaign to reduce deaths and injuries from home fires across the country by as much as 25 percent over the next five years. This weekend, the campaign will officially launch in the Northeastern New York Region, with the support of Turner Construction Company and Tri-City Rentals. On Saturday, volunteers from the Red Cross, along with local government leaders, fire departments, neighborhood associations and other community groups, will join forces to install free smoke alarms for residents in Amsterdam and Schenectady. As they canvass local neighborhoods to complete requested installations, volunteers will also spend time teaching people what they can do to be prepared if a fire should break out in their home. SCHENECTADY KICK OFF EVENT AMSTERDAM KICK OFF EVENT WHEN: Saturday, October 11 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. WHEN: Saturday, October 11 9:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. WHERE: Schenectady Fire Department Station 1 360 Veeder Avenue Schenectady, NY 12307 WHERE: Amsterdam Fire Department 1 Guy Park Avenue Amsterdam, NY 12010 WHO: Gary McCarthy, Schenectady City Mayor Ray Senecal, Chief of the Schenectady Fire Department Marva Issacs, President of the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association Gary Striar, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross Ed Roosa, Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross WHO: Michael Whitty, Chief of the Amsterdam Fire Department Thomas Lindberg, Regional Chief Operating Officer for the American Red Cross Angelika Klapputh, Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross Photo opportunities available during kick-off remarks at Schenectady Fire Station and during neighborhood canvassing. To capture volunteers in action assisting local residents, best locations will likely be Paige Street and Mumford Street, beginning at10:00 A.M. Photo opportunities available during kick-off remarks at Amsterdam Fire Department and during neighborhood canvassing. To capture volunteers in action assisting local residents, best locations will likely be along East Main and Union streets, beginning at10:00 A.M.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org.