September 27 Meeting

Mike Naquin - Fire Chief for the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department

Mr. Mike Naquin, Associate Vice President of Finance at Nicholls State University, was the guest speaker on September 27, 2011. Mike is the Fire Chief for the Thibodaux Volunteer  Fire Department. He provided a broad range of information about   the Thibodaux Volunteer  Fire Department. A summary of his talk is given below.

Mission Statement

To provide our citizens with the best Fire and Rescue services possible with a fire department that is well equipped and members that are properly trained.

Department Information

Fire Chief: Mike Naquin

Assistant Chiefs: Randy Pate;

Chad Mire; and Robert Riviere.

Board President: Joe Ayo

The Fire Department Maintains a total of 21fire

apparatus,  8 Pumpers and 1 Ladder truck. 11 specialty vehicles (Rescue, 3 Salvage, Command, Air, Hose Tender, Fire Prevention, 3 Chief’s Vehicles), and 1 Reserve Ladder Unit

Facilities

 9 Fire Stations, 1 Central Station, 1 Training Facility, and the Firemen’s Fair Grounds and Warehouse. In 2010, Responded to 322 calls  consisting of  275 Fire Calls and   47 Rescue Calls.

Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department protects a population of about 17,500 citizens.

Rising Cost

In 1980 the price of a new fire truck was $65,000 and 20 years later in 2000 a new fire truck cost $177,529.  In 2011 a new fire truck cost approximately $300,000. A Rescue unit on order cost $334,572.  In 1983 a new ladder truck cost $261,450 and in 2009 our ladder truck cost $733,000. In 2011 a new ladder truck would cost approximately 800,000.

Types of Expenditures

Replace as needed and maintain current fleet of apparatus, rebuild and remodel fire stations. strategically relocate fire stations to meet City growth, maintain state of the art training facilities, acquire new and maintain current fire fighting equipment. Hose, Nozzles, Fittings, Electronic Equipment, and Personal Protective Clothing.

Cost of daily operations includes the cost of  fuel, insurance, vehicle and building maintenance, and high band Communications system, 700 MHz system. :Fair grounds: Maintain and improve with self generated funds.

Fire Prevention: To provide funding for materials and supplies used in the delivery of fire safety educational programs.