The Lehigh Fire Company No. 1 of Lehighton raised funds for the continuation of a fire prevention program in the borough. Vice President Charlie Schrantz, trustee Lonny Armbruster and secretary Kenny Decker of the fire company presented American Red Cross Executive Director Michele Baehr with a check for $2,000 to add additional detectors to residents' homes the weekend of April 17.

A team of volunteers and firefighters will canvass the neighborhood of Carbon, Ochre, North Second, and Third streets April 15 to find those in need of the safety equipment as part of the American Red Cross Home Fire Safety Campaign."We were kind of a steppingstone in the county for the program," said the borough's emergency management coordinator and firefighter Joe Flickinger.April 17 will be installation day starting at 2 p.m. Volunteers will arrive at the fire station by 1 p.m. for training."We canvassed First Street in November and installed almost 100 alarms," Baehr said. "We want to continue the mission here in town."The main goal of the instillation is to reduce fire-related deaths by at least 25 percent, avoiding the damage and loss recent residents have experienced, Baehr said.The Lehighton Fire Department works closely with the community to help keep families' homes safe and have executed 19 prevention programs over the past year.Along with taking in-house precautions, Baehr advises anyone renting a residence to purchase renters' insurance immediately."People think it's expensive, but it's relatively cheap and so valuable."The Red Cross is looking for 60 volunteers for the April project where people will be broken down into teams of three to record information, educate the owner on the equipment, and install the device. Pizza will be served at the fire house after all the installations are completed.Anyone wishing to volunteer their time or donations may contact the Red Cross at 570-476-3800 or visit

volunteerconnection.redcross.org