by KAREN LAGRANGE COX
When asked why he became a firefighter, Youngsville Fire Chief Blair Rivette said it was because he likes to help the public. He added, “it is also in my blood”. Rivette’s father was a volunteer firefighter in Bayou Vista, Louisiana, and his great-uncle was a career firefighter in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Born in New Iberia and raised in Bayou Vista, Rivette moved to Youngsville, Louisiana, in 1986. Once in Youngsville, he became a volunteer firefighter at the Youngsville Fire Department (YFD). In 1990, he also became a volunteer firefighter for what is now the City of Broussard.
Rivette’s career as a firefighter started at the Lafayette Regional Airport Fire Department, where he worked from 1993-1998.
During 1998-2008, he was a truck driver for an oilfield company for ten years.
In 2008, Rivette returned to being a career firefighter, this time for the Chitimacha Fire Protection in Charenton, Louisiana, where he continued working until 2016.
Rivette was appointed Youngsville Volunteer Fire Chief by the organization’s members in 2014. In 2016 the members appointed him as Youngsville Fire Chief.
For his hobbies, Rivette likes to fish, travel and take cruises with his wife, Celeste. Between him and his wife, they have five children.
About the Youngsville Fire Department
The Youngsville Fire Department (YFD) was established in 1959 by creating it as the non-profit corporation Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated, through the Louisiana Secretary of State. The department is a separate entity from the City of Youngsville.
YFD receives its funding from the City of Youngsville which comes from two property millage that residents passed in 2004 and 2005.
Rivette advised that minimal funding for the department comes from Lafayette Parish for fire protection in unincorporated areas of the parish.
YFD responds to all fires, major vehicle accidents, rescue calls, and hazardous materials calls. The YFD also responds to medical calls at the First Responder level.
YFD Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) rating is Class 3. Ratings are done every five years.
Staff
The YFP has the following staff:
- Eighteen career firefighters, all full time
- Two administrative employees: the fire chief and secretary
- Seven part-time firefighters
Youngsville Fire Station Locations
- Station 1 is The Jason D. Simon Station and is located at 300 Fountainview Drive in Youngsville. This station has five main apparatus bays, one overflow shop bay, a full kitchen, and sleeping quarters.
- Station 2, located at 2301 Bonin Road in Youngsville, has two apparatus bays and full living quarters.
Both locations are staffed 24/7, 365 days a year, with three firefighters per shift per location.
