Lafayette Fire Department

Fire Chief Robert Benoit and Lafayette firefighters offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our fellow first responder and the men and women of the Lafayette Police Department. Please join us in prayer during this difficult time.

Message from Monique Blanco Boulet Lafayette Parish Mayor-President

“I want to express my deep gratitude for each and every one of our officers at the Lafayette Police Department. Their daily sacrifice and commitment to our community is powerful, selfless, and a big part of what makes us a great community. There are all hurting this evening, and I want them to know the city of Lafayette stands with them in grief and sorrow.

Today we lost one of our best in the line of duty. I offer my prayers, my sympathies and my support to his wife, his children, his parents, and his entire family. They are experiencing the most difficult and unimaginable kind of loss.

To honor their courage and dedication, I ask that you join me in prayer and support for all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.”

Firefighter responded to a house fire on Croft Row this afternoon. Home sustained fire damage in the garage. No injuries.

Candles should be used in a safe manner. Don’t leave burning candle unattended. Extinguish when leaving home. Place on solid surface. Keep away from combustibles.

Stay safe.

Congratulations to our 108th Recruit Graduating Class. Welcome to the fire service! Special thanks to our Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet and State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams for their words of support and encouragement to our new firefighters.

Wishing each of you a successful career saving life and property.

Stay safe.

Our Hazmat Team conducted drone training in the Dome. We have 7 trained pilots to operate drones to assist in hazardous mitigation incidents. Staying prepared to assist our community.

Lafayette Fire Department was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Richard Zuschlag. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Fire Chief Robert Benoit states, “Richard Zuschlag was a leader and mentor to the fire service. He was instrumental in assisting the Lafayette Fire Department with the implementation of our Emergency Medical Responder program to improve medical service to the citizens of Lafayette”. Mr. Zuschlag advocated for enhancing the chain of survival by providing us with a medical director, training our firefighters, and continued support to deliver quick response to medical emergencies.

His presence will be deeply missed. However, his impact will be forever present.

Rest in Peace Sir.

Until we meet again dear brother. Engineer Darion Whetstone was laid to rest today. He was the epitome of a true public servant. Unselfishly giving his time to help others at home and abroad. Rest in peace sir. You will be missed.

Please keep his family and love ones in your prayers.

Lafayette Fire Honor Guard reviewing details of their mission to provide honor, respect, and dignity to our fallen brother and family. We are thankful for their dedication to serve on this premier unit.

Stay safe.

Congratulations to Engineer Trevon Rubin on his new promotion. Engineer Rubin primary responsibility will be driving the fire truck/apparatus to emergency incidents and supplying firefighters water at structure fires.

See the Light: Move to the Right.

Stay safe

Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Engineer Darion Whetstone. Engineer Whetstone was a dedicated public servant as shown with his service in the U. S. Army and the fire service. His presence and compassion for his fellow man will be greatly missed.

Rest our dear brother. Forever in our hearts.

The Lafayette Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its colleagues. On Monday, May 27, 2024, Engineer Darion Blake Whetstone passed away after battling cancer. Engineer Whetstone, 29, joined the fire department on July 14, 2014. For the past 9 years, Engineer Whetstone served the citizens of Lafayette with dignity and humility. He was extremely professional and highly respected by his co-workers. His dedication to the profession will be greatly missed.

Engineer Darion Whetstone believed in the service of mankind. He enlisted in the United States Army where he embarked on a serious of tours in Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria as a UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief. After completing his military service, he continued his calling to serve others by joining the fire department.

The Lafayette Fire Department will honor Engineer Darion Blake Whetstone with a Full Firefighter’s Funeral Monday, June 3, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Martin & Castille, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, Louisiana. An es**rt from Martin & Castille to Lafayette Memorable Park will take place immediately following the funeral.

The Lafayette Fire Department asks for continued support and prayers for the Whetstone family as well as his co-workers.

Welcome Firefighter Josh Thomas to the fire department. As a previously certified firefighter from Opelousas FD, he entered our fast track academy and join LFD.

Thanks for you commitment to saving life and property.

Stay safe.

Interested in joining our Fire Explorer Post? Orientation meeting Wednesday, May 29th at 6pm. Fire Training Center, 300 N Dugas Road.

Our firefighters and inspectors conducting pre-incident planning today. Keeping our businesses safe for their workers and customers as well as preparing for any possible emergency.

Stay safe Lafayette.

Lafayette firefighters responded to a vacant house fire on Elizabeth Avenue this morning. The house sustained heavy fire damage. Firefighters protected the two neighboring homes from the intense heat. Minor damages. No injuries.

Stay safe.

Congratulations to our newest Fire Captain, Ross Montgomery, on his promotion!

Captain Montgomery, we look forward to your leadership and continued service to the citizens of Lafayette.

Stay safe.

Congratulations to Engineer Zachary Faul on his new promotion. Engineer Faul will be responsible for driving the fire truck/apparatus to emergency incidents and supplying firefighters water at structure fires.

See the Light: Move to the Right.

We appreciate our dispatchers!! National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Our dispatchers do an amazing job receiving emergency calls and promptly dispatching first responders.

Thanks for your service.

Firefighters responded to a dumpster fire at Ruffinos early Wednesday morning. Fortunately, no damage to the restaurant.

Safety notice: please allow hot coals or smoldering wood chips to complete cool before placing in any trash receptacles.

Stay safe.

Congratulations to our newest District Chief, Brandon Finfrock, on his promotion!

We appreciate your service to the community and the fire department. Continue the great work.

Stay safe.

Firefighters responded to Willow Charter Academy this afternoon for an alarm activation. After searching the school, a small fire was discovered in a storage room. Fortunately, the sprinklers activated to extinguish the fire. The school was not occupied at the time of the fire.

Stay safe.

Firefighters at the City Wide Easter Egg Hunt in Heymann Park showing kids the fire truck and our gear. Great community service event.

Welcome Firefighter Luke Kilchrist to Lafayette Fire Department. Previously with Carencro Fire.

Dedicated to saving life and property.

Congratulations to Engineer Scott Hebert on his new promotion. Engineer Hebert will be responsible for driving the fire truck/apparatus to emergency incidents and supplying firefighters water at structure fires.

See the Light: Move to the Right.

Congratulations to our newest Fire Captain, Clarence Chambers, on his promotion!

We appreciate your service to the community and the fire department. Captain Chambers continue the great work saving life and property.

Stay safe.

Congratulations to our newest Fire Captain, Brock Begnaud, on his promotion!

We appreciate your 15 years of service to the community and the fire department. Continue the great work.

Stay safe.

Members of our Hazmat Team training with other agencies in Baton Rouge. Lafayette Fire Hazmat Team responds regionally to assist other departments mitigate various hazards.

Congratulations to our senior Engineers/Drivers for completing an officer’s class as they prepare to become the next supervisors in the department. They are ready to lead.

Congratulations to our newest Fire Captain, Kyle Sonnier, on his promotion! Captain Sonnier will supervise a crew of firefighters at one of fire stations.

We appreciate your service to the community and the fire department. Continue the great work.

Stay safe.

Congratulations to Engineer Michael Bourgeois on his new promotion. Engineer Bourgeois will be responsible for driving the fire truck/apparatus to emergency incidents and supplying firefighters water at structure fires.

See the Light: Move to the Right.

Congratulations to our newest District Chief, Paul Romero, on his promotion!

We appreciate your service to the community and the fire department. Continue the great work.

Stay safe.

Firefighters responded to a mobile home fire on Conrad Street this evening. Mobile home was vacant w/out utilities. The fire is under investigation.