March 6, 2002

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

Fire Chief set to Receive 100 Smoke Detectors from Local Agency

Tomorrow in a 10:00 a.m. presentation at Central Fire Station, 801 Crockett Street, Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran will receive 100 life saving smoke detectors from the State Farm Agents of Northwest Louisiana Community Involvement Committee.

In the event of a fire, there is unequivocal and irrefutable evidence that a working smoke detector in the home increases the chance of survival dramatically. Some reports say the detectors improve a family’s chance of escaping a fire without serious injury or death by 80 percent. Others say that children in homes with no smoke detector are twice as likely to die in the event of a fire in the home than children who live with working detectors.

"With all of the data and information available - all of the public service announcements, the giveaway programs, that now include installation by our firefighters, there are still people in our community that do not have a working smoke detectors in their home. This is just unacceptable when it is not necessary," says Cochran. With the addition of these 100 smoke detectors the department will be able to potentially save 100 individuals and families from the terribly destructive results of a house fire.

In recent years the State Farm Agents of Northwest Louisiana have provided over $500,000 in financial support to the community and donated 2000 smoke detectors to various fire departments in the area. Additionally, the individual agents who makeup the organization, volunteer countless man-hours to helping others. Their goal in providing the detectors is to provide a safer home for some needy families. The Shreveport Fire Department’s smoke detector giveaway program is intended for those less fortunate and unable to purchase and/or install the detectors through conventional means. Those who are in need of a smoke detector, with or without installation, can call the offices of the Shreveport Fire Department Prevention Bureau at 673-6740. ###