Fire Prevention

The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for the prevention of injuries to persons and losses to property that are caused by fire and other emergencies.

In 2006, the Fire Prevention Division's Public Education Section presented 311 fire safety programs to 20,404 attendees. The division provided 15,636 copies of fire safety literature to citizens; conducted 22 home inspections that included recommendations toward fire and life safety; and provided 275 free smoke detectors for installation in area homes. In addition, with federal funds of nearly $50,000 secured by the Public Education Section, the Shreveport Fire Department was able to purchase much needed equipment that has assisted in recording zero fire deaths FY 2006-2007 for the first time in nearly thirty years.

The Inspections Section performed 14,484 existing commercial building inspections; conducted 1,766 new construction inspections at different stages of construction; performed 547 plan reviews; reviewed and approved 42 applications for permits as required by ordinance for different activities during the past year.

The Investigations Section investigated 376 fires in 2006, of which over half were determined to be incendiary (arson) fires. Investigators made 10 arrests for these crimes last year. The Shreveport Fire Department received a Homeland Security Grant to purchase an Explosive Ordinance Device response vehicle that is part of the Investigations Section. The bomb squad responded to 47 bomb threats and investigated 37 suspicious items as potential improvised explosive devices in 2006.

Training Division

Brian Hollins
Chief of Training

The Shreveport Fire Training Division strives to meet every training need of our department our motto is "Everyday is a Training Day". Training provided instruction in emergency medical services, firefighting, hazardous materials, rapid intervention training (RIT), leadership and special operations. The Training staff consists of the Chief Training Officer, two Assistant Chief Training Officers, five Training Officers, one Recruiting Officer and two clerical personnel.

The Training Division coordinates the recruiting and hiring process. More than 600 Fire fighter applications were given to possible candidates from our office this year. The 50th Basic Training Class started August of 2006 with 30 candidates and completed December 2006 with 29 candidates graduating.

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1403 course was the highlight of firefighter training. This multi-company training challenged our personnel as we created real to life situations that caused them to rethink their strategies.

Our Leadership course was a great success as we covered topics such as Decision Making, Conflict Resolution, Counseling, Effective Listening and Generational differences. The Academy continues to monitor our personnel who are attending BPCC Paramedic Course.

Training Hours in excess of 287,921

Communications

Willis Carter
Chief of Communications

The Fire Communications Division of the Shreveport Fire Department is a nationally accredited agency that provides a variety of support services to the department and serves as Caddo Parish’s “Gateway to Public Safety”.

The division is comprised of three sections: Administration, Operations and Information Technology. The Chief of Communications get job description) is in command, and responsible for all aspects of the division operation.

The Administration Section is assigned two Assistant Chief of Communications (get job description), one of which is in command of operations, and the other is responsible for training and quality assurance. One Management Assistant, responsible for accreditation, and one Administrative Assistant provide administrative support for the division.

The Information Technology Section consists of two Information Technology Specialists, one responsible for training and software issues and the other responsible for hardware issues for the department.

The Operations section of the division is made up of eight supervisors (FCOII) (get FCOII job description) and 32 Fire Communications Officers (FCOI) (get FCOI job description). All Fire Communications Officers are required to be certified Basic Telecommunicators, and Emergency Medical Dispatchers.

This division serves as the initial recipient of all 9-1-1 calls originating within Caddo Parish. They are also responsible for processing all emergency and non-emergency requests for service received by the Shreveport Fire Department and the Caddo 9-1-1 (go to Caddo911.com website) system. Personnel of this division maintain a constant file on the location and status of all fire personnel and equipment/apparatus, and when required, relocate these resources to provide adequate protection to all areas of the city. This division also provides dispatching services for the eight Caddo Parish Fire Districts.

During the year 2006, Fire Communications Officers processed over 240,000 incoming 9-1-1 calls and an estimated 54,000 calls on the regular 7-digit telephone numbers. Of those calls, over 35,000 resulted in actual events within the city limits of Shreveport, and over 7,300 events for the Caddo Parish Fire Districts.

The division has an annual operating budget of 2.9 million dollars, of which 2.6 million is allocated for personnel costs. The division offset some of the costs associated with equipment purchases, equipment maintenance and facility, by entering into cooperative agreements with other agencies. This generates in excess of $265,000 in cash reimbursements annually.

The Fire Communications Division received national accreditation in July 2003 through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Public Safety Communication Center Accreditation process. Shreveport was the first accredited communications center in the State of Louisiana, and the only Fire Communications Center in the nation to receive this coveted award. Members of the Communications Division are active in a variety of professional organizations, and work diligently to promote professional excellence in the public safety communications industry. The division was re-accredited in July, 2006.
 

Aircraft Rescue/Firefighting

Gary D. Caskey
ChiefAviation Task Force

Passengers and flight crews traveling into or out of the Shreveport Regional Airport can take comfort in knowing that in the event of an aviation emergency, the Aviation Task Force crews of the Shreveport Fire Department are only seconds away. Trained to meet Federal Aviation Administration and National Fire Protection Association standards, the sixty-three member Task Force is always prepared to respond to an aircraft incident.

The crews are stationed at the ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) Station which is located in the exact middle of the airport. The crews utilize three aircraft rescue and fire fighting apparatus, and an EMS Quick-Response Vehicle. These huge, all-terrain vehicles are equipped with water, foam, chemicals, and rescue tools, that would be used in the event of an aircraft emergency. The Task Forces' arsenal also includes a Chevy Suburban designated as "Charlie 5". It is utilized as an EMS Quick Response Vehicle, providing patrons at the airport with quick and efficient pre-hospital medical care. The vehicle is manned by EMT's and Paramedics and carries the latest in pre-hospital medical equipment such as an Automatic Electronic Defibrillator, IV therapy equipment, and various other equipment.

The Task Force recently received a technology upgrade on their 1995 Oshkosh “Snozzle” truck.  It now is equipped with the latest version of “Snozzle” boom and turret, which is an elevated waterway which has aircraft piercing capability.   Also added in this upgrade was a new joystick configuration, along with a new “Hydro-Chem” nozzle, which allows “Purple-K-W” dry chemical,  to be dispersed inside the main nozzle water stream, thus changing its’ effective range from approximately 40’ to 270’. 

Other major technology upgrade included the mounting of a high resolution color camera, with zoom and the addition of a FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) camera.  The FLIR camera gives the unit and its’ operator’s the capability of seeing hot-spots on an aircraft prior to arrival, thus allowing them to attack the source of the fire more directly, and see through heavy smoke and adverse weather conditions.  The FLIR also allows the operator to drive the vehicle in little to no visibility using the camera in conjunction with its’ color monitor on the inside of the vehicle’s cab.  The vehicle is now equipped with a Digital Multi-Channel Recorder, which records all events from the cameras while the vehicle in being used.  As a note the vehicle’s piercing nozzle has been replaced with the new “Flight-Line” First Attack nozzle, which with its rotating water dispersal system, allows for a finer water droplet spray pattern, allowing for faster and better steam conversion, thus allowing it to put out fires inside the aircraft quicker and more efficiently.  The SFD Aviation Task Force was instrumental in the design and development of this version of this nozzle.

In early 2008, the SFD Aviation Task Force and the Shreveport Airport Authority is expecting the delivery of a new Crash Truck.  It will be an Oshkosh “Striker” 3000, and will replace our oldest vehicle in our fleet.  All of this equipment is designed, manned, and maintained, in an effort to make our flying patrons stay in Shreveport, as comfortable and safe as possible.

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Water Rescue Team

Each year, the river, lakes and bayous in Shreveport provide countless hours of entertainment and relaxation for our citizens. However, the elements of danger and tragedy are always connected to water-related activities. The Shreveport Fire Department Water Rescue Team has, for over thirty years, provided emergency response to drowning, attempted suicides and accidents, and has recovered property and vehicles for area law enforcement agencies.

In 1995, the Water Rescue Team was dispatched to more than 40 assignments; including 12 attempted suicides from local bridges, two of which actually entered the water and were successfully removed; assisted law enforcement on five occasions for weapons recovery or homicide victim search; seven stand-by assignments for special events; one chemical release, and the body recovery of two drowning victims. The team has received a sixteen foot support trailer that will be used on extended assignments, and a 12' inflatable raft for rapid deployment. Five new divers were added this year and nearly 100 man hours of training were completed.

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