The City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

The Lake Charles Fire Department (LCFD) serves the City of Lake Charles and the Ward 3 metro area. The area served is rapidly expanding both in size and population. The LCFD is constantly reviewing and updating equipment and procedures to better serve our citizens.

The LCFD was formed in 1876 with a team of firefighters using horse-drawn fire wagons to respond to emergencies. The department evolved through the years and the first fire station in the Lake Charles area was located at the corner of Pujo and Bilbo streets. The five-member department that existed in 1890 has grown to now include more than 180 firefighters, and we are constantly recruiting new members to better serve the Lake Area.

The Administrative division oversees the day-to-day operations of the department. This division maintains records of all personnel, training, maintenance of vehicles and facilities, budgets and financial data which it organizes, analyzes and prioritizes in order that recommendations may be directed to the Fire Chief.

The Fire Fighting/Fire Suppression (Operations) division is the largest division within the department. Employees in this division are qualified to control and extinguish fires, respond to hazardous materials emergencies and other situations requiring emergency response.

The Bureau of Fire Prevention is the division of the LCFD which provides fire prevention services (Section 103, 2003 International Fire Code) to the community through fire plan reviews, fire suppression tests, and fire and life safety inspections, fire investigations, public education and official records management.

Communications division employees must have the ability to perform under stressful situations. This division is responsible for operating communications equipment, maintaining records, and other duties in the communications center of the fire department. They answer fire telephones, dispatch fire fighting equipment and keep simple records of these activities following department procedures. Employees in this division keep track of the location and condition of each unit at all times. This division receives and transmits messages to and from the fire scene and to and from related department personnel and notifies all specified officers or special units of all working fires.

The Maintenance division is responsible for maintaining the department's vehicles and ensuring they are inspected and in a constant state of readiness. Personnel in this department must be skilled in the repair and maintenance of fire department automotive and fire fighting equipment and related work as required. Work of this class primarily involves responsibility for personally performing skilled tasks in the general repair and maintenance of fire pumps, heavy fire apparatus, automobiles and related equipment.

The Training division's primary responsibility is to develop the intellectual and physical competencies of each fire department member. The educational programs set forth by this division are designed to improve firefighting tactics, emergency rescue and hazardous material response to better serve the community.

The Research and Statistical Analysis division assists the Fire Chief in researching, planning and coordinating fire department operations with an emphasis on estimating fire ratings in accordance with the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL).

Under the direction of Fire Chief Delton "DC" Carter, and with the assistance of his administrative assistant, our administrative offices work closely in seeing that the administrative responsibilities are handled efficiently. With the support and help of the department's secretarial and administrative staff, the Fire Chief is able to administer his duties in a well-organized manner that results in the smooth and efficient operations of the Lake Charles Fire Department.

This division maintains records of all personnel, training, maintenance of vehicles and facilities, budgets and financial data which it organizes, analyzes and prioritizes in order that recommendations may be directed to the Fire Chief for his use in running the day-to-day operations of the department.

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, especially near sleeping areas and in stairwells leading to occupied areas of the home.

2. Test and clean smoke alarms monthly, ensuring that each has a working battery and that dust and grease are removed. Change smoke alarm batteries in the fall when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

3. Keep fire extinguishers handy and know how to use them.

4. Keep emergency numbers near every telephone.

5. Don't overload electrical circuits and don't plug in appliances with frayed or worn out cords.

6. Set water heater at 130 degrees or lower to reduce the risk of scald burns.

7. When cooking, turn pan handles inward, out of children's reach and don't leave the stove unattended.

8. Keep curtains or other flammable objects away from stoves.

9. Ensure windows open easily for use as possible escape routes.

10. Keep an escape ladder on hand.

11. Map out, review and regularly practice an escape plan. Identify two escape routes from each room. Choose a central meeting place outside the home.

12. Sleep with bedroom doors closed to prevent fire from spreading. Never smoke in bed.

13. Store matches and lighters out of the reach of small children.

14. Have your chimney and heating system inspected annually.

15. Store paint, thinners and other flammables in original containers, away from heat, sparks or flame.