July 24, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

No Smoke Alarm Sounds Alarm

■ Lack of smoke detector causes concern from Firefighters

With the death of a mentally ill Shreveport man this weekend, a different kind of alarm has once again been sounded for our community. The fire that occurred at 2037 Millen Circle resulted in the tragic death of 50 year old Ferrell Aborn. His death is a dramatic reminder of the need to have working smoke detectors in every home. Every year nearly 4,000 people die in home fires and more than 25,000 are injured. Almost 83 percent of all fire fatalities occur in the home. Children and the elderly are especially at risk in home fires because they are less likely to escape when fire strikes. The latest complete reports show that fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined in 1999. The primary fire safety strategy for any home is to warn the occupants early and get everyone out as quickly as possible. The best way to get the earliest warning of danger is by installing smoke alarms (detectors).

The Shreveport Fire Department has had a smoke detector installation program for several years. This program has provided thousands of "free" smoke detectors for the elderly and impoverished in our community. The detectors are provided through department funding and charitable donations. Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran recently expanded the program by having firefighters check for a detector at every home, in every neighborhood, where a response is made and to install a detector when one is not found.

This latest tragedy is a sad reminder that not every home in our community that needs a smoke detector has received one. The Shreveport Fire Department is urging everyone who needs a smoke detector for their home, or knows someone else who needs a detector, to please contact your nearest fire station or the Fire Prevention Bureau (673-6754) for assistance. A free smoke detector will be provided or installed at no cost. Anyone in the community wishing to help support this ongoing program, or that would like more information, can contact Chief Pat Dyas in the Fire Prevention Bureau. ###