August 26, 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

Fire Department to Honor Citizens for Lifesaving Effort

This afternoon, the Shreveport Fire Department will honor three area citizens for their role in saving the life of a woman choking at a local restaurant . . .

Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran will present James Taylor, Jan McInnis, and Howard Mills with Civilian Letters of Commendation for their efforts on August 15 at Ryan’s Steak House. According to reports, an elderly woman had become choked on her meal when she began to lose consciousness and stop breathing. Taylor, the manager of the Bert Kouns eatery, McInnis, who is a registered nurse, and Mills all attempted to help the woman. Taylor performed the Heimlich maneuver while the others assisted.

As firefighters and paramedics arrived, the citizens were able to expel the obstruction. She still did not breath on her own for several minutes but was breathing and nodding her head questions by the time paramedics got her to the emergency room.

It is the dedication of citizens like these, not being afraid to jump in and become involved, that makes Shreveport a place where humanity prospers, said Cochran. The following are the logistics of today’s ceremony:

Event: Civilian Letter of Commendation Ceremony
Place: Central Fire Station - Fire Chief’s Office, 801 Crockett Street
Date: TODAY - Tuesday, August 26
Time: 1:30 p.m.

###