PRESS RELEASE

To: NEWSROOM

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Assistant To The Fire Chief

May 31, 2005 - Cochran to Head International Metropolitan Fire Chief’s Organization

Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has recently been elected to head the organization that represents the largest fire departments in American and throughout the world. . .

Cochran will serve as chair for the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) and National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) prestigious Metropolitan Section. His one year term as chair began on May 12, 2005.

The purpose of the Metropolitan (Metro) Chiefs Section is to bring together fire chiefs from the world’s largest municipal fire departments to address common issues and make positive changes from the international to local levels of public safety. Domestically departments such as Miami, Los Angles, and Chicago and internationally, Toronto, London, Hong Kong, and Johannesburg, South Africa are all members.

According to IAFC President Robert Dipoli, "Chief Cochran is holding one of the most influential positions in the national fire service, representing the largest 120 fire departments in the United States and world. In many ways, Metro fire departments often set the pace and direction for the rest of the fire service and the International Association of Fire Chiefs is pleased to see Chief Cochran elected to this important leadership position." The Metro Chiefs Section is limited to members of the IAFC and the NFPA who are fire chiefs of cities or jurisdictions having a minimum staffing strength of 400 fully paid career fire fighters. ###