Schriever firefighters appeal for bond passage

On April 30, voters in Terrebonne Parish will be asked if they are willing to support passage of $2.5 million in general obligation bonds for the expansion of buildings and major purchases of equipment for the Schriever Fire Prevention District.

This would be the first time since 1996 that voters have been asked to back bonds for the fire district, a matter that Fire Chief Ken Pitre said was significant since that was the only time voters were approached for financial assistance of this nature and since then much of their equipment has become antiquated and fails to meet current state firefighting requirements.

“What we want to do is add a third truck bay on the Highway 311 station,” Pitre said. “The state [also] requires that you have so many engine companies [based on population]. We have four engine companies, we refer to them as pumper companies. The state is requiring five because of our growth.”

In addition to the added pumper truck, state regulations now require the fire district to have a new service unit to carry equipment. Pitre would also like to see sleeping quarters added to each of their two small firehouses, which would increase the availability of his 40 volunteer firefighters during emergency situations such as hurricanes.

The equipment used by the SFPD is antiquated according to Pitre. One International ladder truck is a 1965 model with parts added from different model firefighting vehicles in an effort to keep it operational. The truck system is unable to produce pressure at state required levels and lacks the safety equipment and technology of more contemporary units.

A 1985 International pumper truck is unable to be properly maintained by the SFPD because replacement parts are no longer available.

Pitre said his shopping list includes a pumper truck that could cost up to $900,000 and a ladder truck that has the safety equipment included. An added truck bay at one fire station, and sleeping quarters added to two locations.

“It sounds like a lot and it is, but we’re looking down the road for the long haul,” Pitre said. “In 1996 the fire district population was 8,800. In 2000 it was 9,928. The 2010 census numbers are not out yet, but we estimate it exceeds 13,000.”

The Schriever area has seen significant residential and industrial growth since Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav. With limited equipment and a 2011 budget of $520,000 Pitre said he fears being unable to keep up with demand.

“We estimate that within a year we will have $100 million of construction that will take place in the district. That includes residential, the new Chevron building and the Fletcher [Technical Community College] campus addition,” Pitre said.

Terrebonne Parish Councilwoman Teri Cavalier, I-Dist. 4, has in the past made public appeals for support of the fire district and has asked residents to serve on the fire district board during council meetings. She has also mentioned in the past how improvements to the fire district could result in decreased homeowner insurance rates. Cavalier did not return telephone messages asking her to comment on the general obligation bonds.

Terrebonne Parish Councilwoman Arlanda Williams, D-Dist. 2, said she does support the bond issue and wants to see the SFPD brought up-to-date with new equipment.

“I support the Schriever Fire Department,” Williams said. “They have always been about doing what’s right for then people they are helping.”

If approved by voters, the $2.5 million general obligation bones would not exceed a 20 year note and would not exceed 8 percent interest per year.

Schriever Fire Protection District Chief Ken Pitre (left) and volunteer firefighter Jed Granier stand with outdated trucks that do not meet safety requirements or technological needs in front of their station house on La. Highway 311, itself in need of expansion. MIKE NIXON