January 22, 2008 - Mayor to recognize employee actions during Amiss Water Treatment Plant emergency

Employees go the extra mile

At today’s City Council meeting, Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover will recognize the actions of city employees who were instrumental in minimizing the emergency at the Amiss Water Treatment Plant on January 10, 2008. That morning, one of the plant’s high pressure pipe-lines ruptured during a maintenance operation causing a major release of water and an almost immediate drop in water pressure across the city.

Helping to avoid what could have been a crisis situation were members of the Shreveport Fire Department and Water and Sewage Field Operations. Firefighters and divers from the fire department were able to overcome frigid water temperatures, rushing current and shifting flows of water, as well as darkness and fatigue in turning off six submerged cut-off valves over a two-hour period. Some valves required more than 100 turns and the use of “cheater” bars to move. On the other side, members of the city’s Water and Sewage Field Operations worked tirelessly to keep water flowing and pressure in the system during and after the incident.

Being recognized today with Mayor Glover’s Award of Excellence are the following:

Shreveport Fire Department - Captain Kerry W. Foster - Captain Ronald C. Mulford - Firefighter Jeffrey W. Smith - Firefighter Scott D. Gowen - Firefighter William H. Millsaps Jr. - Firefighter Logan J. Hunt - Firefighter Robert V. Roberts IV

Water and Sewage Field Operations - Lonnie Fouts - Kenneth Bankhead - Jerry Gray - Otis Marshall - James Bogus - Keith Dunn

Members of the Shreveport Fire Department will also be receiving a “Letter of Commendation” from the Fire Department during the ceremony. ###