PRESS RELEASE

To: NEWSROOM

For Immediate Release

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

July 11 - Fire Department to Unveil New Tool in Fight Against Explosive Threats and Terrorism

Just days removed from tragic terrorist bombings in England, the Shreveport Fire Department will unveil its latest tool to combat an explosive attack locally with its new $132,500 state-of-the-art Andros F6A Hazardous Duty Mobile Robot . . .

Press Conference logistics:

What: Andros F6A Hazardous Duty Mobile Robot – practical demonstration will be provided

Where: Shreveport Fire and Police Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road

When: Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Purchased through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, the robot, also used by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be used by the fire department in dealing primarily with hazardous explosive devices and hazardous material incidents. Equipped with the latest in technological advances, including a built-it remote-control camera, it also has many other emergency and law enforcement uses such as entering a hostage situation and sending back vital visual information – without endangering the officer’s life.

Its durable and rough looking exterior is modeled from military specifications and designed to travel over the most difficult terrain including steps and uneven surfaces. From a fiber-optic tethered cable, the robot’s controllers can instruct it to process specific and sensitive commands of movement and tasks from a safe distance of up to 1,200 feet. “The capabilities of the Andros robot will add to Ark-La-Tex public safety agencies ability to safely combat an explosive or hazardous material terrorist threat if necessary while providing essential every-day use for local emergencies,” said Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran.

Shreveport Fire Department Bomb Squad personnel have received robot training from the manufacturer, Remotec, and the FBY Hazardous Devices School at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The robot will be transported by a specially designed $18,500 operations trailer also purchased with Department of Homeland Security grant money. Media kits with robot specifications will provided at the press conference. ###