April 20, 2004

PRESS RELEASE

To: Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief

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

Shreveport Citizens’ Fire Academy Taking Applications

The Shreveport Fire Department is now accepting applications for their upcoming Citizens’ Fire Academy, slated to run from May 4 through July 6, 2004. Participants will meet one night a week (Tuesday) at the Shreveport Fire Academy or other designated site from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. For those selected, the program offers a host of activities, such as: firefighting tactics, fire prevention and arson investigation, search and rescue, 911 communications, hazardous materials, extinguisher training, emergency medicine, including first aid and CPR certification.

Those interested can pick up an application at the Shreveport Fire Training Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road, downtown at Central Fire Station, 801 Crockett Street, or download an application from the Department web site: www.shreveportfire.org.

The Citizens’ Fire Academy is a training program offered by the SFD and is designed for community leaders, business professionals, and/or those having a genuine desire to learn more about their local fire department. Citizens will be allowed to participate in firefighting and emergency medical drills and simulations, such as high rise rappelling and driving a fire engine. The program culminates with participants riding out on the streets of Shreveport with firefighters to the scene of real emergencies.

Space for the program is limited. Applicants are required to submit to an interview and background investigation. Citizens can contact Asst. Chief Louis Johnson at the Fire Academy for more information: 673-6766.

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