For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — The goal of the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is to reduce deaths caused by fires by 25 percent nationwide within five years. Fire departments in Marshfield, Pittsville, Wisconsin Rapids, and Vesper, in conjunction with the American Red Cross and the Wisconsin Smoke Alarm Fire Education Coalition, are doing their part to achieve this goal.

The Wisconsin Smoke Alarm Fire Education Coalition is providing free smoke alarms as well as completing the installation of those alarms in qualified properties.

Qualified homes would be those in which smoke alarms are absent or not adequate to protect the occupants of that home. Participating organizations will focus on at-risk residences that house the elderly, people with disabilities, or children or are low-income households.

For more information or if you feel you or someone you know may qualify, contact:

—Marshfield Fire & Rescue Department: 715-486-2094.

—Pittsville Fire Department: 715-884-6514, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

—Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department: 715-423-1150.

—Vesper Fire Department: 715-569-4600.

An educational piece about what to do in case of fire and making a home escape plan is also part of this project.