May 23, 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 Department Hosting National Federal Emergency Management Agency Course

Course focuses on preventing line of duty deaths and injuries

The Shreveport Fire Department is hosting a FEMA National Fire Academy "Firefighters Line of Duty Death and Injury" course today at their Fire Training Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road, from 8-5 p.m. The purpose of the course is to educate fire officers in the reduction of line of duty deaths and injury. National fire instructors from Anchorage, Alaska, and Pennsylvania, both with extensive experience at Ground Zero in New York, will instruct the 8-hour course. Along with chief officers from Shreveport, firefighters from local fire districts and East Texas departments will be in attendance.

Through instruction and participation, the course is designed to develop concepts that leaders in the fire service can take back to their organizations and make positive changes to prevent future firefighter deaths and injuries. Topic to be covered in the course include:
• Identifying factors leading to line of duty deaths and injury
• Recognize the importance on analyzing line of duty deaths and injuries
• Define contributing factors play in reducing line of duty deaths and injuries
• Identify impact of line of duty deaths and injuries
• Importance of fitness and wellness as they relate to line of duty deaths and injury

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