September 29, 2002

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2411, page: 675-2137

Shreveport Fire Department to Receive Public Safety Communications Center Accreditation Award.

First in Louisiana and first ever fire agency to receive prestigious award

The Shreveport Fire Department Communications Division has become the first Public Safety Communications Center in the State of Louisiana to receive the coveted award of from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA®). Shreveport joins some twenty-three other Public Safety Communications Centers across the country who successfully met the criteria for this prestigious award, and is the first ever fire agency to be accredited by CALEA. A press conference and reception to receive the award and to discuss the details of its impact on Shreveport has been scheduled for the following:

Event: Presentation of CALEA Accreditation to Shreveport Fire Department
Where: Caddo Parish 911, 1144 Texas Street

When: Tuesday, September 30, 2003

Time: 10:00 a.m.
Scheduled to Speak: Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, Chief of Communications Willis Carter, Asst. Chief of Communications Tonette Lee, and Sylvester Daughtery, CALEA Executive Director

The accreditation program for public safety communications agencies is a joint effort of CALEA, Inc., and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO®). The goals of the Public Safety Communications Accreditation Program are to promote superior public safety communications services, recognize professional excellence, and not conflict with technical standards established by competent authorities.

The Communications Accreditation Program is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. Accredited agencies can take pride in their department, knowing it represents the very best in public safety communications. ###