April 21, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2411, page: 675-2137

Shreveport Firefighters Recognized with National Heroism Award

On January 17 of last year the Shreveport firefighters of Rescue 1 put their lives on the line in one of the most spectacular rescues in department history . . .

saving the life of 27-year-old Queensborough resident Debra Johnson as her home, engulfed in flames, burned around her. This month firefighters Captain Kip Mourad, Fire Driver John Davis, and firefighters Jason Jordan and Edward Carey are receiving national recognition for their unselfish actions by being named to Firehouse Magazine’s 2002 Heroism Awards list.

The Heroism Awards are for outstanding firefighter performance that go above and beyond the call of duty and are selected each year by a Firehouse panel made up of fire service leaders who review extraordinary acts of bravery from across the country for the previous year. The entire crew of Rescue 1 received the Heroism Award in the "Crew Citations" category and Captain Mourad received an individual award for his role in leading the rescue effort.

On the morning of the rescue, Captain Mourad made the decision to divert from a previous assignment to respond to the fire at 2601 Quinton Street. When they arrived, they were met in the street by Johnson’s hysterical mother, crying that her daughter was still in the house. Captain Mourad entered the home with firefighter Jordan without protective breathing equipment or a water line. After encountering fierce fire and thick smoke, the crew located and pulled an unconscious Johnson to safety. Firefighters Jordan and Davis both received burn injuries during the rescue. Johnson spent almost two weeks in the hospital, being treated for smoke inhalation and burn injuries, before being released. She has since made a full recovery.

Captain Mourad and firefighter Jordan both received the Medal of Valor from Mayor Keith Hightower for their actions and firefighters Davis and Carey received Letters of Commendations from the department. ###