November 21, 2002

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 Fills Key Administrative Positions in New Round of Promotions

Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran is proud to announce the promotions and retirements of the following members . . .

Chief Brian A. Crawford to Assistant to the Fire Chief. Chief Crawford will assist the Fire Chief in the performance of his administrative duties. Crawford formerly served as Public Information Officer and will continue as Department spokesperson until a replacement is named next year. Formerly in the position, Chief David Bryant is retiring after 26 years of faithful service. Bryant has accepted a position over public relations with the new regional office of the Federal Transportation Security Administration, a division of the new Homeland Security Office. Their offices are located here in Shreveport at the Regional Airport

Captain Gary Caskey to Chief of Aviation Fire and Rescue Task Force. Chief Caskey will oversee operations of the Fire Department’s Aviation Task Force housed at the Shreveport Regional Airport. The Task Force is made up of highly skilled, highly trained firefighters that specialize in aircraft fire fighting and rescue operations thereto. Formerly in the position, Chief James "Sonny" Miller is retiring with 24 years of dedicated service to the city.

Fire Driver David Allen Peery to Captain. Captain Peery will assume duties as a fire company officer and have supervisory responsibilities at the fire station and on the scenes of emergency incidents.

Fire Fighters Steven Smith and Sedrick Yound to Fire Drivers. Fire Driver Smith and Young new responsibilities include the master operation of all fire department equipment and maintaining engineering responsibilities of the fire engine or ladder company at a fire scene.

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