September 4, 2008 - Fire Department Coordinates Efforts to Return Evacuees Home

State has given all clear to return home in some Parishes

In cooperation with other public safety agencies, the Shreveport Fire Department (SFD) coordinated the efforts to assemble and return the first bus delivered evacuees to south Louisiana yesterday evening and late into last night. The mission loaded more than 100 evacuees to return to the southern parishes of Acadia, Lafayette, Calcasieu, and Jefferson Davis – the first parishes that the State has given the all clear to return home.

Throughout this Hurricane event the Shreveport Fire Department has assisted all of the shelters in any way it could provide service. Chief Brian Crawford stated, “The men and women of the Shreveport Fire Department are putting forth an extraordinary effort in adapting to the challenges that Hurricane Gustav presented to our community. The SFD has been instrumental in working with the Caddo/Bossier DHS Emergency Operation Center (EOC) in providing whatever service have been needed for all shelters and worked hand in hand with the other great public service agencies such as the Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Sherriff Office, and the Louisiana State Police to make this and other missions successful.”

The department is waiting word from the State EOC in Baton Rouge on what parishes will open next and will once again ramp up its re-population efforts to assist those eager to get back home. These efforts are expected to span over the next several days.