September 27, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

Firefighters of the Year Selected

Shreveport Fire Inspector/Paramedic Rodney T. Murray has been selected as the Loyal Order of Moose 2001 Firefighter of the Year. The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks No. 122 have selected the Shreveport Fire Department crews of Engine Three and Medic Nineteen, "B" shift, as their 2001 Firefighters of the Year.

Aside from his outstanding performance of daily duties, Murray, a 10-year department veteran, is being recognized for his actions on June 24 of this year. That day, Murray was off duty and visiting his mother when he herd gunfire. When Murray went outside to investigate, he noticed a wounded man lying nearby. Without thought for his own safety, Inspector Murray grabbed his paramedic bag from his city car and ran to aid the man.

While Murray was on the ground assisting the man, the violent confrontation continued and several other shots rang out. Even after police and fire personnel arrived on the scene, Murray remained to assist in the injured man’s treatment.

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The crews are being recognized for their outstanding efforts on June 16 of this year when they were summoned to the home of a 72-year old man experiencing a medical emergency resulting from a bee sting. The firefighters were fast and efficient in the delivery of their life saving service, including administering medicine to counteract the sting. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for additional care and observation. The patient’s physician stated that the severity of the allergic reaction would have resulted in the man’s death had it not been for the quick actions of the firefighters.

Engine Three was led by Captain/Paramedic Mark Johnson, a 21-year department veteran. Other members of the crew were Fire Driver Matthew Tucker, and firefighter Joshua McCollum. Medic Nineteen was manned by Fire Driver/Paramedic Torrence Bedford and firefighter/Paramedic Gerry Hinton. ###