Fire Department History

Early Days of Fire Protection (1874-1951)

St. Bernard Parish Fire Department has a vast history dating back to the ending years of America’s Reconstruction Period in 1874. In some of its earliest years, volunteer Fire Chief, J.N. Augustin lead 80 volunteers who were responsible for the early fire protection of the community with St. Bernard Steam Engine Fire Company No. 1. These brave community leaders fought one of the first significant fires, with the assistance of New Orleans Fire Department in 1909. Events such as these would eventually lead to the volunteer organization, now recognized as Arabi volunteer Fire Department, gaining community traction and moving into a newly developed Fire Station. This all coming under the newly appointed leadership of Fire Chief Ralph Ducros (1910-1937). 

In 1911, St. Bernard Volunteer Fire Department was met with its first big test. On a stormy, lightning riddled night, two storage tankers at the Indian Refining Company of Meraux were viciously ignited as lightning struck the facility. Coincidentally, that same year, fire completely destroyed the new St. Bernard Rendering and Fertilizer Company on Florida Ave, highlighting the need for more robust fire suppression systems in place. It would not be for another 10 years that the department would be tried by a substantial event. In 1921, Sinclair Oil Refining, in a similar fate as the Indian Refining Tank Fire a decade prior, was ignited through a lightning storm. Posing a new challenge, this tank fire involved a 98,000-gallon storage tank.

During the late 1930s, St. Bernard Volunteer Fire Department made one of its first capital purchases. The department purchased an Ahren Fox Fire Engine for the Arabi Fire Station. This provided the volunteers with an opportunity to provide a more efficient service to the citizens of the parish. With the expansion of the parish after World War II, came new obstacles elsewhere from Arabi. In 1948, the Chalmette Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) was established with its first station residing next-door to the Chalmette Courthouse. This group of volunteers was led by Chief Joseph Celino (1948-1951) who was then succeeded by A.J. Toups (1951-1952). In 1951, a new American LaFrance pumper fire engine was purchased.

Career Department (1952-1976)  

SBFD Firemen Late 1950sIn 1952, a paid Fire Department was established leading to the abolishment of the Chalmette Volunteer Fire Department. The newly established Fire Department covered from Arabi to the Violet canal and was labeled as Fire District 1. One year later, Fire District 2 was created, covering from the Violet Canal to Delacroix Island, known as the end of the world. These two districts would be the start of the career fire department led by Fire Chief Robert (Henry) Boos from 1952 to the mid 1960’s. In June of 1954, the Violet Fire Station was built and dedicated to the Parish Fire Department, providing much needed permanent coverage to the ever-growing community. Domino Sugar Fire 1964

The newly developed career department would meet its first major test in 1958. The Ingram Oil Company of Meraux would have an engulfing tank fire lighting up the skies for days to follow. This fire shed light on major holes within the fire suppression capabilities of the department as all resources were exhausted. The Parish Fire Department would have to rely on mutual aid assistance from the neighboring New Orleans Fire Department, along with the help of the United States Coast Guard to fully extinguish the tank fire. In 1961, the department responded to a fire at the Stockyard in Arabi, which caused significant damage and threatened to spread in the community. In 1963, the firefighters of St. Bernard Parish were chartered as a labor organization under the International Association of Fire Fighters (I.A.F.F.).  In 1964, a major fire at the Sugar Refinery exceeded Fire Department resources and triggered a request for assistance from neighboring New Orleans Fire Department with their aerial apparatus. In 1965, the Parish purchased a Snorkel apparatus for the Fire Department due to the Sugar Refinery fire and dealt with Hurricane Betsy which flooded major portions of the Parish. The Fire Department also fell under the Louisiana Fire Civil Service system.

In the mid 1960’s, Chief George Peltiere assumed command of the Fire Department as the next Fire Chief until 1977. In 1971, the Fire Department suffered its first Line of Duty Death (LODD). Firefighter Wilford Neese died in a January house fire when a hose coupling struck him in the head. Life saving measures were initiated but were unsuccessful. Also, in the early 1970’s a new Central Fire Station was built at Packenham and E. Judge Perez Dr. in Chalmette.  In 1972, firefighters in the 2nd Fire District were converted from part-time employees to full-time employees. In 1976, another new Fire Station was built in Violet, LA. 

District Consolidation (1977-1987) Snorkel at Fire Late 1960s

In 1977, the Police Jury officially consolidated Fire District 1 and Fire District 2 into the St. Bernard Parish Fire Department, and named the next Fire Chief, Lester Cureau (1977-1991). A new Fire Station was also built in the Cypress Garden area of Meraux. In 1978, the department was hit with a labor strike based on low wages. The strike lasted one week and was settled with a promise of $3.00 per hour base wages for starting firefighters, and a labor Collective Bargaining Agreement. After the strike, Fire Chief Cureau initiated an internal study of fire department operations and implemented a strategic plan to improve services to the community. In 1978, the Communications Division (Fire Alarm) was established and staffed. Radio dispatch equipment was installed at the new Cypress Gardens Fire Station.  In 1979, the department established and staffed a new Training Division and a new Fire Prevention Bureau.

Eng 1 1980s  In 1980, the first written labor Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed. At this time the department was staffed with 103 overall personnel. In 1981, the Training Division increased its staffing to include one Chief of Training, and one Training Officer. The Fire Prevention Bureau also increased its staffing to include one Chief of Fire Prevention, and two Fire Prevention Inspectors. Some of the initiatives implemented include formalized training programs, maximizing training cooperation with industry, fire safety inspections on businesses, and plan review on new businesses.

  In 1983, the parish suffered another major incident when a 5-million-gallon fuel storage tank ignited at the Tenneco Oil Refinery. The department responded with all available resources and also requested assistance from the New Orleans Fire Department. The tank was eventually extinguished utilizing 100,000 gallons of foam. At that time, it was the largest tank fire extinguished in the world. During this time, the department also added two new capabilities such as medical first responder and auto extrications with new hydraulic equipment otherwise known as the “Jaws of Life”. In 1987, the department suffered its second Line of Duty Death when Training Chief Michael Ginart Sr. suffered a heart attack while fighting a commercial building fire in Chalmette.

Dedicated Funding (1988-2004) Red White Blue Fire

 In 1988, the department was suffering from a funding shortage and created a major problem with the reliability and upkeep of fire apparatus. Fire engines regularly broke down on scenes and created unsafe conditions for firefighters. The department petitioned the Police Jury to establish a millage, by a vote of the citizens, in order to purchase new apparatus, hire six additional firefighters, replace one old Fire Station, and build one new Fire Station in Verret. The citizens approved the millage and the department moved forward. In 1990, a Rescue Squad (Squad 1) replaced the old Snorkel apparatus. In 1991, Chief Thomas Stone assumed command of the department (1991-2022). New rescue equipment was purchased for the rescue squad and a comprehensive review of the Rules and Regulations, along with department policies, were initiated. Fire Station 1, in Arabi, was replaced with a new Fire Station on Aycock Street.  Also, a new Fire Station (Fire Station 10) was built in Verret and staffed with a new fire engine (Engine 10). In 1993, a very large tire fire was extinguished in Arabi, and another separate large tire fire was extinguished at the St. Bernard Port (old Kaiser Aluminum plant).

 In 1997, the department created a 3rd Fire District (non-taxing district) which established a 3rd District Chief (Car 203). In 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. This event, and the subsequent loss of 343 FDNY firefighters, refocused the fire service to look at how we effectively manage large and small incidents across the country, and how terrorism could be a factor. The result of the focus was the implementation of a National Response Strategy (NRS) and led to the creation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), along with new national standards for all emergency response agencies. In 2003, a new Rescue Squad (Squad 2) was purchased, staffed, and housed at Fire Station 8 in Poydras. The department also responded to and extinguished two simultaneous refinery fires, one at Exxon Refining and one at Murphy Oil Refinery. 

Hurricane Katrina (2005-2017)

 In 2005, Hurricane Katrina impacted St. Bernard Parish and the surrounding areas. The storm surge caused the levees to overtop and fail which flooded the entire parish. Every building had flood water, some only a few inches, some fifteen feet. During the storm, members were strategically located throughout the parish and utilized any means necessary to rescue and save trapped citizens. It is estimated that 10% of the population stayed, about 7,000 people, and was subsequently saved and evacuated to safety. Unfortunately, some citizens lost their lives. The fire department lost all ten Fire Stations and approximately 70% of the apparatus and equipment. Once the emergency subsided, the parish worked with FEMA to rebuild infrastructure including Fire Stations, and the department continued to provide fire suppression throughout the rebuilding. katrina

In 2008, the first Fire Station was repaired (Fire Station 1) and staffed. This year also saw the department contend with its third Line of Duty Death (LODD). District Chief James Gonzales died from a heart attack he suffered shortly after his shift was over. The night before, he responded to a residential building fire. In 2009, the first completely rebuilt Fire Station was completed (Fire Station 2). The department would eventually rebuild and staff all ten Fire Stations over the next year. Also, the department responded to a large, occupied apartment building fire in the Village Square area.

In 2010, the department responded to a large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which had the potential to cause major damage to the parish’s wetlands through oil spill impact. The department contributed significantly to the large regional response from British Petroleum (BP) and assisted in the establishment of a base camp in Hopedale. Fire Department personnel provided scene management expertise, HAZMAT expertise, Safety oversite, and on-water fire suppression services.

In 2012, the department was suffering from a severe funding shortage, mainly due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina lowering the population, and which resulted in the collection of low sales tax. The Parish Council supported the Fire Departments efforts to propose a Millage to fund the departments services and avoid firefighter lay-offs. The Millage passed a vote of the citizens, and the department was able to continue to provide services to St. Bernard Parish. The department was also able to apply for and receive a grant (SAFER) to fund at least 35 firefighters for the next five years. 

New Challanges (2018-Current)

In 2018, the department was reorganized, and Fire Station 2, Fire Station 10, and Car 203 were closed. The department entered into negotiations and were able to secure a contract with NASA’s Michaud Assembly Facility (NASA MAF) to staff their Fire Station apparatus and provide fire suppression and prevention services to the facility. The contract also funded 18 firefighter positions and their personal protective equipment. In 2019, the department established two Assistant Chief positions to manage department administrative and special operations functions. 

In 2020, Fire Station 11 and Fire Station 12 were severely damaged due to Hurricane Ida. Both apparatus and personnel were moved to operate out of Fire Station 10. The world was also hit with a pandemic (COVID-19), which forced the department to modify operations in order to keep firefighters safe and continue to provide services to the citizens of the parish. In 2022, Chief Charles Licciardi was named interim Fire Chief upon the retirement of Fire Chief Thomas Stone. After an exhaustive search, Chief Earl Borden was selected as the next Fire Chief of the St. Bernard Parish Fire Department. Also, in 2022 the Arabi area was hit by two tornados only months apart and the department performed many search and rescue activities in the damaged areas. Many citizens were rescued; unfortunately, the tornados did result in one fatality.