The Sound the Alarm event in Paterson Saturday is teaching residents about fire safety, organizers say.

Volunteers and community leaders provided free smoke alarms to residents during the event. Organizers say more than 41,000 smoke alarms have been installed since the event started five years ago at the Northside Firehouse.

Organizers also worked with residents to create a two-minute family fire escape plan.

The American Red Cross responds to 64,000 disasters a year, with most being preventable house fires.

Last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 820 fires in New Jersey and helped more than 2,100 families.

According to the American Red Cross, since 2014, 640 lives have been saved from the House Fire campaign nationally, including 18 of those in New Jersey.

Paterson has been selected as the Signature City in New Jersey for the National Sound the Alarm Initiative in the Spring of 2020 -- meaning the Red Cross team will provide fire alarms to those in need throughout the entire community.