PRESS RELEASE

To: NEWSROOM

For Immediate Release

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

June 14 - Fire Department plans “Stand Down”

57 firefighter line of duty deaths thus far in “05 prompts national action . . .

The Shreveport Fire Department in cooperation with the International Association of Fire Chief and 14 other partner organizations are calling for a military style “stand down” across the country to focus of firefighter safety June 21. As of June 3, there have been 57 firefighter line-of-duty deaths nationally. That is 10 more than this same time last year and is on pace for 134 by year’s end. In 2004, the total number of firefighters killed in the line-of-duty was only 101. If the trend continues, the line of duty deaths for firefighters in America will jump an unacceptable 33%.

In Shreveport, the fire department has not lost a firefighter since 1984 but the organization is fully aware as each year goes by without a serious injury of death their odds of having a line-of-duty death go up. Fire Chief and IAFC Metropolitan Fire Chief’s Association Chairman Kelvin Cochran calls the national stand down “an excellent opportunity for all fire departments to raise awareness among their membership to the dangers of the occupation and to dedicate the entire day to firefighter safety.” Cochran attributes Shreveport’s unprecedented success for keeping their firefighters safe to a “culture of safety awareness, both in vigorous training and emergency on-scenes management.”

On June 21, the Shreveport Fire Department will suspend all non-emergency operations in order to focus solely on firefighter safety. Firefighters will spend the day talking about causes of line-of-duty deaths; checking all apparatus and equipment; discussing health and safety regulations; reviewing fire ground safety issues; eat a healthy meal; and have physical activities and exercise training. Although the official national stand down in June 21, SFD will begin on June 20 and run the program through the 22 to encompass all firefighters on the departments three shifts.

Overview – American Fire Department “Stand Down” for Firefighter Safety

When: Tuesday, June 21 and continue until all subsequent duty days/shifts have been covered

What: Fire departments—career, volunteer and combination—are being urged to suspend all non-emergency activity and instead focus entirely on firefighter safety.

Why: To raise the level of awareness toward firefighter safety and call attention to the unacceptable number of line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

Who: All fire departments and stations