October 11, 2001

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer

Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Fire Department Announces Promotion, Retirement, and Award Recipient

Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran is proud to announce the promotion of Fire Driver Rhonda Svoboda to Captain. Captain Scott Hammond has been named Firefighter of the Year by the Insurance Women of Shreveport and Bossier.

Captain Svoboda’s new assignment is to a "swing" position on "A" shift where she will function as a company officer at various stations until a permanent assignment becomes available. Her promotion was made possible by the retirement of Captain Bobby Litton, who leaves the department after 28 years of faithful service.

Hammond, a 25-year veteran, is a training station company officers at the department’s Fair Grounds’ fire station eight and serves as the chairman for the department’s Policy Committee. His positive and aggressive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile to assure excellence are a personal trademark. The award will be presented tonight in a 5:30 p.m. ceremony at Ralph and Kacoo’s Restaurant in Bossier City. ###