January 3, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

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

80 Year Old Rushed to Hospital Suffering from Cold

Shreveport firefighters and paramedics rushed an 80-year-old Allendale resident to the hospital this evening suffering from apparent hypothermia.

• First Hypothermic Case of 2002 Documented by Fire Department

In the first case of reported cold exposure of 2002 in Shreveport, firefighters were summoned to 1902 Poland at 2:48 p.m. by a family member of the patient, Thomas Randolph, after finding him unresponsive.

Firefighters entering the home, described its temperature as being colder than it was outside. "It was freezing" said Captain Randy Sellers. When paramedics reached Randolph, he was unable to move and had no clothing or cover. Paramedics rushed Randolph to an awaiting heated medic unit, wrapping the 80-year-old in blankets for warmth. He was transported to LCUHSC where his core temperature was registered at 80.8 degrees. He is listed in critical condition.

Thomas had been checked on as early as yesterday by family. There appeared to be no gas or electric heat supplying the small wood frame house. Whether the home had no utilities or they were just not being utilized was unknown. The fire department urges all those with elderly and/or disabled family, friends, and neighbors to be sure and check on them during this extremely dangerous run of cold weather. ###