Fire District 2 names firefighters, officer of 2018

Every little boy, at some point in their childhood, dreams of being a fireman.

Every fireman probably dreams of someday being “Firefighter of the Year.”

This year, that dream came true for Plaucheville firefighter Luke Mayeux, Evergreen fireman Ronald Aymond and Mansura VFD Capt. Justin Deshotel -- the Fire District 2 Firefighter and Fire Officer of the Year for 2018.

The awards were presented at the Fire District 2 Awards Banquet on Jan. 24. The event was held at the Mansura Fire Station.

NOMINATION PROCESS
The nomination process began several months ago when Fire District 2’s 15 fire chiefs were asked to submit nominations for the two awards.

The district board received six nominations for Firefighter of the Year and four for Fire Officer of the Year.

Those nominations were sent back to the fire chiefs to vote for one nominee in each category.

Other nominees for Firefighter of the Year were George Jenkins of Bordelonville, Joe Jackson of Simmesport, Paul Gaspard Jr. of Fifth Ward and Rodney Barnett of Mansura.

Other nominees for Fire Officer of the Year were Angie Madrigal of Evergreen, Christi Juneau Hess of Simmesport and Reaux LaBorde of Bordelonville.
Mayeux

MAYEUX

Plaucheville Fire Chief Darrell Rabalais said Mayeux is a paramedic for the department. He and his brother Kane, who is also in the department, are flight paramedics for Acadian Ambulance.

Rabalais said Luke was selected as the Plaucheville department’s nominee because of a particular incident last year in which a nearby neighbor suffered a severe, life-threatening cut.

“It was an arterial bleed,” Rabalais said. “He was able to get there quick enough to stop the bleeding. If it were not for him, that person would not be alive today.”

Rabalais said Mayeux “is a great guy, dependable and has accomplished a lot to be only 25 years old.

AYMOND

Ronald Aymond is a captain within the Evergreen Department. He has served since 2015 and is committed to his role as village firefighter.

“I love being a fireman,” he said. “I work hard at doing as much training as I can to help the community in any way.”

Aymond and his wife, Casey, live in Evergreen with their four children Marlee, Kaylee, Rylee and T.J.

“After receiving this honor I want to learn more and continue to help the people of Evergreen,” he said.

DESHOTEL

Mansura Fire Chief Kenny Bordelon said Deshotel grew up in the fire department as the son of a volunteer firefighter, Assistant Chief Teddy Deshotel. Teddy joined the department in 1991. Dustin was born in 1993. He served as a junior firefighter, became a full-fledged member in 2011 and was promoted to captain about 18 months ago.

“He is someone I can trust to be in charge if I am not there,” Bordelon added.

Deshotel also volunteers for the Hessmer Fire Department “because he lives in between Mansura and Hessmer,” Bordelon noted.

He said there were six volunteers who met all the criteria to be considered to represent Mansura’s department in the District 2 awards program.

“We put it to a vote and he was elected by the membership to be our Fire Officer of the Year,” Bordelon said. “We nominated him for the district award and are proud that he won.”

‘IT'S A PRIDE THING'

Bob White, secretary/treasurer of the Avoyelles Fireman’s Association and this area’s representative to the Louisiana Fireman’s Association, said the awards recognize firefighters and officers “who do extra and will help in any way they can.

“It’s a pride thing,” White continued. “They do not get paid. That shows their dedication to fire service and the people of this parish.”White was Cottonport’s fire chief for 21 years and is still an active volunteer.

He said both award winners “are dedicated firefighters. I know that because we all know everybody in all the departments. We all work together.”

Although there are 15 departments in the district, it is almost as if there is only one.

“A lot of parishes around us can’t believe how close we are and how well we work together,” White noted.

MILLIGAN HONORED

There was another special award presented at the Jan. 24 banquet.

Retired 911 Director Donald Milligan was given a plaque in recognition of his 26 years of service in that position.

Milligan, who was appointed director when the 911 system was implemented in 1993, retired in January. The new 911 director is Alexis McNeal.