January 31, 2002

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

SFD to Play Host to FDNY Firefighters

Shreveport firefighters are gearing up to play host to two New York City firefighters here to officiate over the upcoming Krewe of Centaur Mardi Gras parade this weekend.

The FDNY firefighters will also leave a little heavier than when they arrived and not because of the fried fish dinner the firefighters at Central Fire Station are planning. On Friday, at 1:00 p.m., at Central Fire Station, 801 Crockett Street, Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran and District Chief and Local 514 President Margene McCoy will present the northern firefighters with a check for $8,500 for the "New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund." This, in addition to the $27,000 the Department has already given to the fund, will bring their total contribution to the fund to $35,500.

This latest donation is the result of the efforts of local artist Ron Atwood, who designed a signature series print that depicted the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and a kneeling firefighter (Shreveport’s own, Captain Rusty Thames). All of the proceeds from the sale of the prints went into this latest contribution.

Along with the fish dinner, the visitors will also be treated to a tour of the Department’s fire stations, Academy, and Communications Center. On Saturday, February 2, the FDNY firefighters were the guest of honor for the city’s first Mardi Gras parade of the year. ###