History ëë
The West Monroe Fire Department was established about the year 1889 with volunteer firemen and hose carts. The fire departments equipment was stored in a garage of what became the first floor of City Hall in 1930. Today the building has been renovated and is now City Hall Suites. One of the first pumpers bought by the city, a 1924 American LaFrance, continues to serve the public today through parades and tours. In 1956 the city built Station #1 which is also still being utilized today. The station has been modified and now houses living quarters for firefighters, Assistant Chiefs office, Training office, classroom and gym. The slide in this station is said to be the second one built in North America therefore it was not removed during the renovations. In a 1898, thirty-four page booklet titled “ Constitution and By-Laws and Rules of Order – West Monroe Fire Co. “ the companies motto was “ Always Ready “. Now over 100 years later that motto remains the same.
The Fire Department today is comprised of 38 Classified personnel serving the citizens and businesses in the incorporated area of West Monroe. We are a career all paid department that provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue operations and fire prevention. The department achieved a Fire Protection Rating of Class 2 in 1996 and we continue to be among the 4% of fire departments in the state to maintain this rating.Â
