Every year, the Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters, the majority of which are home fires. In the case of a home fire, having a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death in half.
In September, the Southwest Chapter Red Cross was proud to celebrate the decades-long volunteer career of Jerry Kuykendall. Jerry has had an impactful 43 years with the Red Cross, and according to his records, he has installed free smoke alarms in 1,000 homes in Southern Indiana.
Jerry first connected with the Red Cross through a CPR and First Aid course. He says, “I taught track, and if a kid got hurt, I wanted to know what to do.” His Red Cross instructor told him he should consider joining the organization due to his background as an English teacher. Jerry and his wife, Linda, received certification and began teaching CPR and First Aid.
After retiring from teaching and serving as director of the Mt. Vernon High School Opportunity Center, which he also founded, Jerry had more time to volunteer with the Red Cross and travel to help people affected by disaster. His first assignment as a disaster response team member was in Houston, Texas, helping those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. After several years of disaster response, Jerry shifted his volunteer efforts to our Home Fire Campaign.
Jerry considers smoke alarm installation education to be very important due to misconceptions around the devices. If a smoke alarm is 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced, but people should always follow their alarm manufacturer’s instructions. He says, “When I started, I thought my home’s smoke detectors were fine because the batteries were new.”
Another integral part of our Home Fire Campaign is sharing home fire safety education. Listening to Jerry speak with community members, it’s easy to tell he is a former teacher. He customizes his safety talk based on each person’s unique situation. He says, “If they have trees near their home, pets, or if they have kids upstairs, I make sure to tell them how to handle different disaster situations.” He also grades how safe their homes are for various scenarios. “I used to be a teacher, so I’m pretty good at grading,” Jerry says with a laugh.
Jerry’s time as a Red Cross volunteer will have a lasting impact on communities across the Indiana Region. One of his most memorable moments happened after he and another volunteer, Larry, installed a smoke alarm that Jerry says eventually saved the lives of a woman and her two nieces. Later, while volunteering at a Red Cross booth, that woman found Jerry, thanked him and gave him a hug. Jerry says having saved even one life has made his years of volunteering worth it.
After decades of teaching both students and community members, it is fitting that Jerry’s milestone installation was at the home of his former Mt. Vernon Opportunity Center student, Wesley Barnes. It brings a full circle to his monumental and selfless volunteer career. Jerry says, “My father always said to me, ‘Make yourself useful,’ and that’s always been in my heart. Make a difference in your life — not just for yourself, but for other people.”
Our Southwest Chapter Disaster Cycle Services team members were proud to celebrate Jerry’s milestone smoke alarm installation and surprised Jerry with cupcakes and a golden smoke alarm. Jerry says he shares this milestone with his current installation partner, Larry Vadbunker, as well as fellow volunteers John Fitzgerald, Matt O’Malley and Martha Alldredge.
Since 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has documented 2,489 lives saved and more than 3.1 million smoke alarms installed. Click here to learn more about our Home Fire Campaign and request a free smoke alarm installation.
Written by Communications Volunteer Josiah Johnson.