NASCAR Cup

Indianapolis: Honorary crew member - Cliff Johnson

On Behalf of the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety Captain Cliff Johnson is Named the ExtenZe Local Hero for the NASCAR Cup Series Weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Fire Investigations Section, lead by Johnson, is considered to ...

Edited: Jul 22, 2010, 1:44 AM

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On Behalf of the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety Captain Cliff Johnson is Named the ExtenZe Local Hero for the NASCAR Cup Series Weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Fire Investigations Section, lead by Johnson, is considered to be one of the premier Fire Investigation Sections in the United States

STATESVILLE, NC (July 21, 2010) - Captain Cliff Johnson has the honor of commanding a team unlike any other, within the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety. Comprised of personnel from both the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), the IFD/IMPD Fire Investigations Section is considered to be one of the premier Fire Investigation Sections in the United States. 5 members from each department are assigned to the team, work in teams of 2 and are cross trained in each others' disciplines. The ability to work within the parameters of fire investigator and police detective, has given this team one of the highest arson clearance rates in the country. With 32 arrests already for 2010, the team is underway for meeting or exceeding the number of arson arrests in 2009 at 67. The team has consistently closed cases at 1.5 times the national average.

The IFD/IMPD Fire Investigations Section is very concerned about the number of arson fires set by juveniles. Juveniles account for 50% of Arson arrests. Under the direction of Commander Johnson, programs such as Fire Stop and in school educational programs allow the fire investigators to get the word out that setting fires is dangerous and deadly. Currently they are working to eliminate prank calls amongst kids and educating the public about the dangers of vacant house fires. Visible in Indianapolis area neighborhoods, at all hours of the day and night, the investigators allay fears and encourage anyone with information to call the local Crime Stoppers hotline.

The success that the IFD/IMPD Fire Investigations Section has enjoyed has not stopped them from continuing their path in an effort to stay on top of current investigative methods, new information and better ways of catching arsonists. Utilizing programs such as Touch DNA, Incident Mapping and Suspect tracking they are able to be proactive instead of reactive. Creating partnerships with the ATF and FBI, they have upgraded their ability to collect and process information in a timely manner. Their ultimate goal is to protect the citizens they serve and to protect the brothers and sisters they serve with. The crime of Arson and the resulting property damage exceeds 4 billion dollars a year. Arson related fires account for 25 % percent of all fire in the in the United States.

The Indianapolis Department of Public Safety and it's Fire Investigations Section is committed to combating the crime of Arson in the City of Indianapolis. The experienced investigators, represented today by Captain Cliff Johnson are honored to have been chosen as the ExtenZe Local Hero's for the 2010 Brickyard race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. These 10 officers put themselves on the line each and every day.

Captain Clifton Johnson Sergeant John Mann Lieutenant Derrick Sayles Detective Jim Albin Lieutenant Tony Head Lieutenant James Burris Detective Ed Brickley Lieutenant Ron Marks Detective Dave Kinsey Detective Pat McCloskey

As part of the ExtenZe Local Hero program and for leading the charge in the fight against arson, Captain Johnson will serve as Honorary Crew Chief for NASCAR's leading Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year driver Kevin Conway and his ExtenZe racing team.

"When I was growing up and coming through school as a young kid it was the 'Stop. Drop. And Roll' technique that was harped upon when it came to fires. Arson wasn't the main topic as it has become today," said the leading NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year driver Kevin Conway. "It's become a serious issue in this country and its great to see someone like Captain Johnson taking the lead in building up the Indy Fire Investigation's Divisions as one of premier in the nation. Hopefully what he and his team are doing in Indy will help spawn other Fire Investigation Divisions across the country to follow their lead. And for that we are truly honored to have Johnson with us this weekend in Indy serving as our Honorary Crew Chief as part of our ExtenZe Local Hero program."

The 'ExtenZe Local Hero' program pays tribute to people who have gone to great lengths to make a difference. Those selected have faced danger, sacrificed their own safety for others or in some way displayed leadership that changed their community for the better. Award recipients become ExtenZe Racing Honorary Crew Chiefs, receive a tour of the paddock, attend the pre-race NASCAR Driver/Crew Chief meeting, and sit atop the pit box with Crew Chief Peter Sospenzo to root on rookie driver Kevin Conway piloting the royal blue and red No. 34 ExtenZe Ford Fusion. Each recipient also receives a $1,000 award from ExtenZe, the world's best selling male enhancement product, in recognition of their selflessness.

Fans can visit www.ExtenZeRacing.com to nominate their own local heroes.

-source: fron row motorsports

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