Our University of Findlay Student Section, which is part of our Greater Detroit Chapter, organized a canvass of American Red Cross’ Sound the Alarm program in the university’s surrounding community. The Sound the Alarm program is a yearly volunteer driven event with a goal to install 100,000 free smoke alarms in homes in the nation. The canvass aims to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires by providing free smoke alarms and installation, replacing batteries in existing alarms and helping families create escape plans. This year, 41 volunteers visited more than 600 homes and installed 84 alarms in the community.

"The experience was incredible and eye opening. I was surprised to see the number of houses with no smoke detectors at all, so it was very uplifting to know we were able to help the community and install smoke detectors, create emergency plans and leave the homes knowing the residents were safer than when they woke up that morning," says Brent Kahle, University of Findlay's Student Section President. "The student section was happy to help and look forward to more opportunities to help the American Red Cross and the Sound the Alarm campaign."

Back row, left to right: Hao Zhang, Brendan Hanson, Brent Kahle Front row, left to right: Cassie Cox, Madi Layton, Rudy Wenzlick, Rachel Wymer, Hunter James.

"The student section recognized that every day, seven people die in home fires and they wanted to do everything we can to prevent these needless tragedies," says Donald Elswick, section faculty advisor. "They were able to pull community members together to canvass at-risk neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms and educate families about fire prevention and safety."

ASSP's Rudy Wenzlick, member of the University of Findlay Student Section and Greater Detroit Chapter, installs a smoke alarm at a community member's home.

University of Findlay Student Section and Greater Detroit Chapter members Brendan Hanson, Brent Kahle and faculty advisor Donald Elswick visit a community member's house to check smoke alarm operability.