The Home Fire Campaign has saved at least 85 lives nationwide, including two in Utica.
The American Red Cross has just confirmed that the Home Fire Campaign efforts of the Mohawk Valley Chapter and their local partners saved the lives of two people during an apartment fire last December in Utica. Local Red Cross representatives joined Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri on Red Cross Giving Day – Thursday, April 21 – to make an official announcement about this success and discuss their ongoing partnership. A joint press conference was held at 2 pm at Humphrey Gardens Apartments at 225 Herkimer Rd in Utica.
The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is a multi-year effort to reduce the number of fire-related deaths and injuries across the country by 25 
percent. Through this campaign, the Red Cross and its partners – which include many local fire departments, government leaders, and community groups – are working to ensure that families everywhere have working smoke alarms installed in their homes and are encouraged to practice their fire escape plans.
“Since the Home Fire Campaign launched in October 2014, at least 85 lives have been saved across the country, including two right here in Utica,” said Mallory Scheve, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley. “In the last year and a half, our volunteers and partners have installed more than 450 new smoke alarms in our chapter, and our work will continue with the potential of saving many more, thanks to committed community partners like the City of Utica.”
“The American Red Cross is an outstanding organization and the City of Utica is a proud partner of the Home Fire Campaign,” said Mayor Robert Palmieri. “This campaign has saved lives, including two people in our City. I appreciate and thank the Red Cross for the continued services they provide to individuals in our community.”
The American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year — one every eight minutes — and most are home fires. On April 21, 2016, people can come together to support the Red Cross in its critical and lifesaving mission to help families affected by these emergencies. “If we each help one family on this one day,” said Scheve, “think of how much good we could do.” To support the Giving Day #help1family effort, visit www.redcross.org/givingday/easternnewyork or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. All Giving Day donations will be processed on April 21.