November 4, 2009 - SFD uses Downtown Building to perform High-rise Training

The Shreveport Fire Department firefighters will conduct specialized high-rise drills in multi-story downtown buildings this weekend

Fire Chief Brian A. Crawford informs the general public and downtown business owners not to be alarmed when they see heavy smoke and fire emergency personnel in Shreveport’s downtown business district this weekend because members of the Shreveport Fire Department will simulate high-rise fire and rescue drills Saturday, Nov., 7th and Sunday, Nov. 8th at the Lane Building located at 610 Marshall Street.

“These specialized training exercises are conducted annually in order to sharpen the skills and increase the proficiency of our fire emergency responders in high-rise fire and rescue operations,” said Chief Crawford. Chief of Training Louis Johnson added that because high-rise building fires pose a greater risk for loss of life and property, it is important that all firefighters are trained annually and be ready to perform at the highest level when needed.

Dates and Times for Training Exercise:
• Sat., Nov. 7 at 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Sun., Nov. 8 at 4:30 p.m.
Each drill will last approximately 3 hours.

During these exercises, the Department will evaluate the following tasks:
• Ability to safely rescue victims.
• Accuracy of equipment placement and locating available water sources.
• Compliance of the Department’s high rise policy and national standards.

Firefighters will deploy an 80 pound ‘high-rise pack’ containing hoses, wrenches, door stops and other hose connections to the highest accessible level of the building and connect to a suppression system supplying water to the building.

“We want our citizens to have confidence that their fire department can manage and mitigate any emergency situation,” said Fire Chief Brian Crawford.