July 26, 2002

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

Firefighters Providing Area High School Teachers With First Responder Training

Educators to offer program to junior and senior students in upcoming school year

Teachers from all over northwest Louisiana have converged on the Shreveport Fire Department Training Academy this week for a week-long course in First Responder emergency training. The Shreveport Fire Department in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Education, Bossier Fire Department, and other agencies is providing the industry based certification within the high school systems. As part of this effort, teachers from 14 different area high schools are receiving life saving training this week from professional firefighters in order to teach the program to junior and senior students in the upcoming school year. Some of those high schools involved in this weeks course include Stanley, Green Oaks, Woodlawn, Ruston, Springhill, Logansport, North Desoto, and Minden.

The 48 hour long First Responder course teaches about handling emergencies illnesses and injuries and servers as an introduction to emergency medical services (EMS). Teachers who successfully complete the course become certified First Responders. This certification allows the educators to teach the program and gives them the ability to be the first important link in a child or co-workers injury or illness in providing emergency care before other EMS professionals arrive. Teachers and coaches feel the future training will provide the students the skills necessary to handle a medical emergency and start then on a career path in EMS that may include becoming an EMT or paramedic in the future.

The teachers all volunteered their time this summer to attend the First Responder course. The Shreveport Fire Department approached the Louisiana State Office of Health and Hospitals and asked about holding a course in our area. The course is funded by a state grant. The course is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fire Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road, and will run through Friday. ###