January 12, 2004

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

Fire Department to Receive Allstate Donation for Fire Safety

The Shreveport Fire Department will be the recipient of a donation from Allstate Insurance for the purchase smoke detectors and fire prevention educational materials . . .

Allstate Insurance agent Don Wilson will present Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran with a check for $2,900 at a 2:00 p.m. ceremony in his office at Central Fire Station, Tuesday, January 13.

The money will be used first and foremost to purchase much needed smoke detectors. Since the rash of fires late last year, including one that claimed the life of two young boys, the fire department has been inundated with requests for smoke detectors. "This is a problem that we do not mind having," Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, said of the requests. "Our goal is to try and reduce the number of fire related injuries and deaths in our community through early detection and education." "This donation will go a long way toward helping us achieve that mission and we thank Allstate for their generosity."

Educational materials will consist of fire safety coloring books for children and handout literature. ###