Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator and state Fire Marshal Butch Browning will host a presentation of Operation Golden Shield at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 12, at the First Baptist Church in Blanchard.

Operation Golden Shield is a statewide safety campaign developed by the Fire Marshal and others to call attention to an increase in fire deaths and injuries among senior citizens. The campaign focuses on several areas of fire safety including safety in the home and kitchen, safety around space heaters and candles, holiday safety, outdoor cooking safety, safety while smoking, and the importance of using smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

State Fire Marshal arson investigators and public fire education officers are traveling the state to present the program at parish Council on Aging facilities, senior citizen centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and many other venues to educate senior citizens about the dangers and risks associated with fire.

We expect to have a large group of seniors on hand for the presentation. The media is encouraged to attend to help promote public awareness of this issue and to help educate senior citizens who are not able to attend the event.

If you have any questions before hand, please give me a call and we will connect you with the appropriate contact. In lieu of a news conference, Sheriff Prator and Fire Marshal Browning will both be available at the event for comment.

Thanks!