www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20081215/NEWS01/8121503 -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 12/15/2008
Last Visited: 12/15/2008
"Children and the elderly are most at risk for being killed or injured in a fire," Shreveport Fire Chief Brian Crawford said.
"When you add poverty and living in poor socioeconomic conditions, it increases your chances of being killed or injured in a fire exponentially.
People use space heaters and alternative ways to stay warm, and a lot of time they don't realize the danger."
Crawford researched the link between fatal fires and poverty for a 2005 article that appeared in Fire Engineering magazine.
He cited several circumstances poverty creates that can contribute to fire risks.
...
This year, Shreveport firefighters have responded to 169 residential fires, and only 26 of those had working smoke alarms, Crawford said.
"Chances are 75 percent greater of escaping a residential fire without death or injury if there is a working smoke alarm inside of the house," Crawford said.
...
Lenora Mitchell has lived in her Allendale residence for 32 years, and Thursday, Crawford installed her first smoke alarm.
...
After Drain's death, Crawford created the Fire Safety Task Force to increase fire prevention efforts and focus on preventing fire deaths.
The group includes public officials, community leaders, law enforcement, business owners and Shreveport residents.
"The Fire Department is known for fighting fires and saving lives, but prevention is a big component," Crawford said.