Katie Gagliano
The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
(TNS)
Jun. 21—The Scott Fire Department is getting a financial boost from the state to construct sleeping quarters and a training space at its Rue Bon Secours station.
The volunteer agency received $1 million from the state’s supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2023-2024. The line items were supported by Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, and Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, who represent Scott in the statehouse, Fire Chief Chad Sonnier said.
The funds build on the city’s initial investment in the station in 2021, when the property at 320 Rue Bon Secours, formerly a large fabrication shop, was secured in a five-year lease to own agreement, according to city council meeting minutes from June 2021.
The investment was made after a 2019 analysis that looked at historical data, response times, projected city growth and traffic patterns found there was a service gap north of I-10, Sonnier said in a release.
The fire department began operating daytime service out of the station in January 2022. It was a strong first step, but without sleeping quarters firefighters have been unable to man the station 24/7, the Scott fire chief said.
The lack of sleeping space means if a nighttime fire occurs, firefighters must travel from their homes to the station, gather the needed resources and drive to the emergency scene. The extra steps can add minutes to response time in a situation where every minute counts, Sonnier said.
Having the station manned round-the-clock will improve service for residents and businesses, especially because it is in an area of anticipated growth in town, he said.
“It’s going to mean cost savings,” he said. “If there’s a fire, we’ll be able to save more of their property and it increases the possibility of saving a life. It’s a huge asset.”
The project will be for a two-story addition to the existing structure on Rue Bon Secours, which will feature a dual-purpose emergency operations center and training space on the first floor and eight bedrooms with lockers, men’s and women’s bathrooms and a sitting area on the second floor, he said.
The project will be bid out and an exact construction timeline has not yet been determined, Sonnier said.
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