St. James Volunteer Fire Department

06/01/2026

🚒 May Incident Totals 🚒

The St. James Volunteer Fire Department responded to 66 calls for service during the month of May.

🔥 East Bank – 39 Calls
• 4 Vehicle Accidents
• 11 Fire/CO Alarms
• 3 Fire Investigations
• 1 Residential HazMat Incident
• 16 Medical Emergencies
• 1 Electrical Pole/Transformer Fire
• 1 Trash/Grass Fire
• 1 Vehicle Fire
• 1 Public Service Call
YTD Total: 183

🔥 West Bank – 27 Calls
• 2 Vehicle Accidents
• 10 Fire/CO Alarms
• 2 Fire Investigations
• 9 Medical Emergencies
• 2 Structure Fires
• 1 Trash/Grass Fire
• 1 Electrical Pole/Transformer Fire
YTD Total: 142

📈 Year-to-Date Parish-Wide Total: 325 Calls

05/19/2026

🔥 Training Night in Action 🔥

Tonight’s training focused on live vehicle fire operations and protecting nearby exposures. Crews worked a fully involved vehicle fire while maintaining situational awareness of surrounding hazards, including nearby structures and equipment.
This evolution emphasized coordinated hose line placement, fire control, and exposure protection—critical skills that help prevent fire spread and minimize damage during real-world incidents.
Hands-on, realistic training like this ensures our firefighters stay prepared, sharpen their skills, and operate safely when it matters most.

💪 Proud of the teamwork and dedication shown by everyone involved.

05/10/2026

🔥 Structure Fire – St. James 🔥

🚒 On Wednesday at 8:25 PM, the St. James Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on the west bank in St. James.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a single‑story residence with flames showing through the roof.

During extinguishment efforts, firefighters discovered the home had a double ceiling — a layer of sheetrock with wood directly underneath. This hidden construction feature significantly hindered suppression efforts, allowing fire to spread rapidly across the ceiling and roof.

As conditions worsened, mutual aid from Ascension Parish was requested to provide additional manpower.

The fire was brought under control; however, the double ceiling caused multiple rekindles, requiring extensive overhaul.

An excavator arrived on scene and was used to remove portions of the structure so firefighters could fully extinguish the remaining fire.

There were no reported injuries to any civilians or responders.

We thank all responding firefighters, Ascension Parish Fire District personnel, Acadian Ambulance, St. James Parish Sheriff's Office, and St. James Parish for their assistance and support.

🔥 Generator Safety Reminder:
• Never place gas cans on or near running generators.
• Refuel only after the generator has cooled.
• Keep generators at least 20 feet from structures.
• Ensure proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

05/01/2026

🚒 APRIL INCIDENT TOTALS 🚒

The St. James Volunteer Fire Department responded to 54 calls for service during the month of April

🔥 East Bank – 30 Calls
• 2 Vehicle Accidents
• 11 Fire Alarms/CO Alarms
• 9 Medical Emergencies
• 1 Trash/Grass Fires
• 3 Vehicle Fires
• 1 Fire Investigations
• 1 Structure Fire
• 2 Gas Leak

🔥 West Bank – 24 Calls
• 1 Vehicle Accidents
• 6 Fire Alarms
• 14 Medical Emergencies
• 2 Trash/Grass Fires
• 1 Electrical Pole/Transformer Fire

04/17/2026

🔥 Structure Fire – Lutcher 🔥

🚒 At 11:30 PM last night, the St. James Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on the east bank in Lutcher.

Firefighters arrived within minutes.

Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire coming from the front middle of the residence.

Unfortunately, the home sustained severe fire and smoke damage.

At least one civilian was injured.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal was requested to the scene and found that the fire was possibly started by an air fryer.

04/12/2026

Edited: All fire department units cleared the scene.

St. James Volunteer Fire Department is currently on the scene of a vehicle accident on LA 643 where a vehicle struck a residence.

Please use caution when driving on LA 643 due to one lane that is blocked.

04/12/2026

Thank you to our telecommunicators!

This week, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the true unsung heroes behind the scenes, the FIRST, FIRST RESPONDERS—our 911 Dispatchers.

These dedicated professionals are the calm voices in the chaos, the lifeline between emergencies and the help on the way. They work tirelessly to keep our community safe.

We can't thank them enough for their commitment, compassion, and strength.

Thank you to each and every dispatcher for the vital role you play.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter.

04/01/2026

🚒 Training Highlights 🚒

🏀 Physical Training in Full Gear
Recently, members participated in basketball drills while wearing fire gear to build endurance, reinforce teamwork, and experience working under physical stress similar to emergency conditions. Apologies for the picture quality—photos were captured during active training.

🚗 Vehicle Extrication Training
During a separate session, crews conducted hands-on vehicle extrication training, sharpening critical skills used during roadway emergencies.

Different trainings. Same mission. Always preparing to serve our community safely and effectively.

04/01/2026

🚒 MARCH INCIDENT TOTALS 🚒

The St. James Volunteer Fire Department responded to 55 calls for service during the month of March.

🔥 East Bank – 29 Calls
• 3 Vehicle Accidents
• 10 Fire Alarms/CO Alarms
• 10 Medical Emergencies
• 1 Trash/Grass Fires
• 2 Vehicle Fires
• 1 Fire Investigations (smoke in a residence)
• 1 HazMat Incident
• 1 Gas Leak

🔥 West Bank – 26 Calls
• 2 Vehicle Accidents
• 9 Fire Alarms
• 8 Medical Emergencies
• 1 Structure Fire
• 1 Trash/Grass Fires
• 1 Electrical Pole/Transformer Fire
• 4 Gas Leak/Gas Odor

🙏 As always, we are grateful for the continued dedication and commitment shown by our volunteers in serving our community.