The Shreveport Fire Department and the national non-profit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition are hosting a live, side-by-side fire and sprinkler burn demonstration that vividly shows the tremendous speed of a typical home fire and its potential for deadly destruction.

Also illustrated is the vital importance of home fire safety technology that can save lives and reduce property damage.

 Fire Chief Brian Crawford added, “We are excited to host this demonstration.  Sprinklers have been statistically proven to save lives and property in commercial businesses and this demonstration shows how effective they can be in saving lives and property in residential dwellings.”

This event is funded through a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant awarded by the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The following is the agenda for today's demonstration:

WHEN:           Today, Friday, February 25, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. 

WHERE:        Shreveport Fire Department, Fire Training Academy, 6440 Greenwood Road, Shreveport 

WHY:              More than 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.  The Shreveport Fire Department and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition are using this important event to help people of every age understand how dangerous a home fire is, and how important prevention, detection, suppression and escape are.

More From News Radio 710 KEEL