History
Port Allen
On January 4, 1918 a devastating fire destroyed what was at that time the riverfront business district of the Village of Port Allen. Because Port Allen had no fire department, the fire was extinguished only because of the efforts of the Baton Rouge Fire Department, which sent units across the river on the ferry, and by a fireboat sent by Standard Oil, now known as Exxon/Mobil.
In March of 1935 a group of 21 brave citizens, filled with a spirit of volunteerism, a sense of civic pride, with the concern for their fellow citizens, answered the call and stated their intentions to become the founding members of the Port Allen volunteer fire department. Since that time, an endless group of men and women, your fellow neighbors and citizens, have volunteered their time and talent to serve our community.
In 1942, the department purchased their first fire-fighting apparatus. In 1953 the PAVFD began responding to fires in all areas of West Baton Rouge Parish.
In 1955, Port Allen established the parish’s first career fire department and since that time our volunteers have continued to work with the career firefighters to provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical service to the citizens of Port Allen and the surrounding area which encompasses WBR Fire Subdistrict No. 3.
Brusly
In 1953, the Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was established.
The Brusly Volunteer Fire Department was presented $972.50 from IBM Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. at Brusly fire station. The money will be used to purchase additional radio pagers. Shown here, from left to right, are Donald Bourgoyne, Louis A. Landry, Fire Chief Harold Dupuy, Alfred Bourgeois, and presenting the check to Dupuy, A.G. Henriksen, IBM manager of office products customer engineering; Wilfred Hebert and John (Coonie) Blanchard.
Addis
In 1959, Addis Volunteer Fire Department was established with $1.00 lease-purchase and restoration of a 1924 American LaFrance fire engine. Leon Caldwell becomes the first Fire Chief. The American LaFrance fire engine still rides proudly in the Addis Volunteer Fireman’s Parade.
West Baton Rouge Parish Fire District
On July 1, 2014, the Port Allen Fire Department merged with the West Baton Rouge Parish Fire District 1 – which now handles all fire department services for Port Allen. Firefighting and related emergency services are now overseen by the parish-wide Fire Chief. A full team of highly trained and experienced firefighters also stand ready 24/7 to handle fires and emergency situations.
Port Allen offers two fire stations strategically located within the city. With the latest firefighting vehicles, equipment, and technology in place, the residents of Port Allen can rest assured that their families, homes, and property will be well protected in the event of fire.