January 24, 2008 - New Book Chronicles History of The Shreveport Fire Department’s Bomb Squad

Book Now Available

Since the early 1960s, a handful of very special City of Shreveport Fire Department (SFD) personnel have stepped forward out of the ranks of a proud and professional organization, to take on the added responsibility of becoming "bomb technicians,” now their story is the subject of a new book. The 68 page, full color, book titled “The History of the Shreveport Fire Department’s Bomb Squad (1962-2008) chronicles the SFD Bomb Squad from its beginning in 1962 as a developing section of the Fire Prevention Bureau stepping forward to develop and create techniques & procedures to deal with suspicious package threats; to today’s state-of-the-art modern section helping to protect not only the citizens of Shreveport as part of the SFD ISO rated Class 1 department; but the region. The book is authored by Gene Barattini, a local emergency manager, educator & historian and is the final product of months of research and interviews with current and retired Shreveport firefighters.

Two of Barattini’s primary sources for the book are retired SFD retired Chief of Fire Prevention and bomb technician, Mr. Terry Hayes and World War II US Army Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD) veteran combat commander and former Caddo-Bossier Civil Defense (CD) Training Officer Mr. C.G. Vaughn. Barattini will present Chief Hayes and Mr. C.G. Vaughn a with a copy of the book Friday January 25, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the SFD Fire Prevention Bureau – Fire Investigation building located at 1700 Snow Street. Barattini will be available for media interviews following the presentation.

Copies of the book are available from the publisher at www.lulu.com for $27.20 (Hardcover) or $ 14.73 (paperback) plus shipping or directly from the author for $30 or 17.00 (shipping included) by calling 742-4710. No profits will be collected from the sale of the book. All proceeds will solely cover production and shipping costs. ###