When firefighters respond to a call for help, they are trained to rapidly assess a situation and take necessary steps to protect lives and property. The more information they have before they arrive, the better they can serve you.

To enhance the quality of service firefighters from FD12 can provide, the District is seeking information from citizens. Anyone whose household or place of business includes members with physical or mental health issues that would prevent escape from a dangerous situation or inhibit communication with emergency responders is encouraged to file that information with FD12. All information will be kept confidential, but will be included in the dispatch database at Unifire, where 911 calls are received and from which FD12 personnel and equipment are dispatched.

The House voted 41-56 Monday to kill a bill by Rep. J. Kevin Pearson, R-Slidell, that would have suspended government retirement benefits to public servants while they are serving time in prison.

A bill by Rep. Kevin Pearson (R-76) that would strip convicted public servants of their pensions during incarceration narrowly passed the House Retirement Committee yesterday.

In 2008, efforts to accomplish this goal were thwarted by concerns that a convict’s spouse would be unduly penalized. Pearson’s bill addresses that concern by allowing the spouse to receive benefits as if the convicted partner had died.

CRIMEFIGHTERS, Louisiana’s largest victims rights organization, will honor four public officials at its meeting on Friday April 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., in the Grand Ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel, 535 Tchoupitoulas Street.

State Rep. Greg Cromer, R-Slidell, has launched a new Web site to keep constituents informed and provide a portal for citizens to contact him.

The site, www.gregcromer.net, went live Monday as the House of Representatives was beginning the 2010 legislative session in Baton Rouge.