Honoring Our Heroes – Nathan Richard

Thibodaux Volunteer Firefighter

To Thibodaux Volunteer Firefighter Nathan Richard, the word “hero” is defined by those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

That’s why Nathan has dedicated his service with the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, which now spans over 20 years, to those heroes.

“At the end of the day, the heroes are the ones who didn’t make it home. Those guys are the heroes. What I do is just something to thank them for their service. They died for our country, our community. It’s the least I can do,” Nathan says. “One thing I do every morning is I climb stairs to honor the line-of-duty deaths in our country or the first responders who died on 9/11.”

A native of Thibodaux, Nathan says his family always emphasized the importance of helping others when he was growing up. That sentiment, coupled with the presence of uncles who were first responders, led him to become a volunteer firefighter when he turned 18.

What Nathan found through volunteer fire service was a brotherhood dedicated to a common cause.

“People from all over the world have your back. It’s really cool. To serve your community is another great thing. There are so many bad things that are happening in the world…and to do good is pretty good,” Nathan says. “Our [fire] company motto is… ‘Deeds not words,’ and I kind of ingrained that into my head as a firefighter.”

The department’s oath to protect its community extends beyond only fighting fires, Nathan says.

Nathan and his company participate in salvage work for broken hot water units at homes and distribute smoke alarms to the community. In addition, they spearhead training for new firefighters and offer scholarships through the Student Firefighter Association at Nicholls State University.

Over the last few months, the TVFD has distributed masks to community members in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and engaged in disaster relief efforts for those affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

Though it was unable to visit schools this year due to COVID-19, the department traditionally participates in National Fire Prevention month in October, educating schoolchildren on proper responses to fires.

For Nathan, being a volunteer firefighter includes balancing his service with his work in the culinary industry. Nathan is the executive chef and general manager of Cuvée Wine Bar & Bistro in Thibodaux and has earned the titles of both the King of Louisiana Seafood and King of American Seafood in his career.

“I sleep fast,” Nathan laughs. “You’re only as good as your team, so if I don’t have the team and the support of a great restaurant, then I can’t do what I do, so I have to put a lot of trust and a lot of faith in the people that I have.”

Though he does not see himself as a hero, Nathan recently received recognition from the Louisiana House of Representatives for his efforts as a first responder – an honor that he says came as a “complete shock.”

Nathan says it has been an joy to serve the community in which he grew up and to see that community come together in support of the TVFD through fundraisers like the Thibodaux Fireman’s Festival.

At the end of the day, he says the most rewarding part of his service is coming home every day.

“One is coming home, and second is just making a difference in our community,” Nathan says. “Unfortunately, as a firefighter, when we get called out, it could be somebody’s worst day. To do what we can to stop it, to prevent it, is amazing.” POV