801 Crockett Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
318/ 673-6655 ● FAX: 318/ 673-6656 ● www.shreveportfire.org

Kelvin J. Cochran, Fire Chief

October 22, 2002

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Reliant-Arkla to Donate $60,000 in Communications Equipment to Fire Department

Reliant Energy (ARKLA) has completed an upgrade to their Mobile Data system and this is good news for the Shreveport Fire Department . . .

Before the upgrade, Reliant utilized the same technology and Mobile Data Terminals (MDT’s) that the fire department currently uses. MDT’s are vehicle mounted, computerized terminals with a keyboard and monitor. The fire department and Reliant officials will hold a joint press conference on Wednesday, October 23, 2002, at 10:30 a.m. at the Caddo Parish 911 Center, 1144 Texas Avenue, for the donation of 12 used MTD’s. Each MDT is valued at $8,000 when new and although the units being donated are used, still hold a combined value of $60,000. Reliant hopes to provide an additional 15 units to the fire department at a date in the near future.

The fire department uses their units in emergency response vehicles to provide firefighters with valuable advanced information such as street address, building hazards in the event of a fire and patient condition for emergency medical calls. When the fire department found out about Reliant’s upgrade, they were able to negotiate the donation through a verbal agreement and new partnership. According to Chief of Communications Willis Carter, some of the units will, after reprogramming, be placed immediately into service. Other MDT’s will be used for replacement parts, reducing the high cost associated with repairing the units. ###