This month, Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) kicks off its partnership with the American Red Cross on Long Island to make homes safer in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. CDCLI received training to carry out the Red Cross Sound the Alarm program, which installs free smoke alarms and provides fire safety education in at-risk communities across Long Island and across the country.
CDCLI, a regional nonprofit organization, was founded in 1969 by government, business, and civic leaders on Long Island who came together to address the growing demand for affordable housing. As part of its suite of services, CDCLI offers is the Weatherization Assistance Program, which is a free program provided to low-income Long Islanders, especially the elderly and disabled, to make their homes more energy efficient.
As part of this new partnership, CDCLI staff will install Red Cross smoke detectors in each home that they weatherize moving forward, potentially helping to make hundreds of families safer every year. “CDCLI is excited to embark on this partnership with the American Red Cross,” Gwen O’Shea, president and CEO of CDCLI. “This initiative truly reflects our collective commitment to helping Long Islanders attain and sustain healthy and safe homes.”
The Red Cross responds to approximately 62,000 disasters per year, including more than 200 across Long Island. Most of these local disasters are home fires. Working smoke alarms in a home cut the risk of death by half, and having an escape plan further improves the odds of survival. The Red Cross wants to end these tragedies and save lives, the reason for launching this fire safety campaign in 2014. “We are thrilled to begin this lifesaving collaboration,” said Neela Lockel, CEO of American Red Cross on Long Island. “Thank you to CDCLI for making fire safety a priority!”
Across the country, the campaign is making a difference. As of early February, the Red Cross and their partners across the country have saved more than 500 lives and installed more than one 1.5 million free smoke alarms.
Sound the Alarm is a year-round program available to all. To sign up for a free smoke alarm, to join as a volunteer, or to provide financial support, visit www.SoundtheAlarm.org/li.
