Fire protection in Broussard, Louisiana, traces its roots back to the early 20th century. The earliest documented equipment was a 1935 Ford fire engine, referenced in later court records. By 1943, local volunteers had secured a fire pump, marking the community’s first recorded step toward an organized fire service. In those early years, much of the work was improvised — one of the department’s first “engines” was built by repurposing the chassis of a retired school bus, fitted with the newly acquired pump.
In 1956, the Broussard Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) formally incorporated as a nonprofit under Louisiana law. Volunteers had already been operating and caring for equipment for several years, and this incorporation gave the department a legal foundation. By the mid-1950s, the BVFD had possession of both the 1935 Ford engine and a 1955 pump, which served the growing town and its surrounding communities.
As Broussard expanded, so too did its fire service. For a time, the town operated a small municipal department within its limits, while the BVFD protected the outlying areas. On January 25, 1979, the two organizations formally merged, creating the Broussard Fire Department in its current nonprofit form. From then on, fire protection became a unified effort, coordinated with the City of Broussard.
The department gradually modernized its facilities and operations. Station #1 on First Street, originally built by the volunteers, became the cornerstone of service. Later, Station #2 was established on East Main Street, and Station #3 was constructed on Fairfield Drive in 2001 during the leadership of Chief Danny Denais and Mayor Charles Langlinais.
Leadership has passed through many hands — thirteen chiefs have served since the department’s founding. Among them, Chief Bryan Champagne, who joined as a volunteer in 1993, was appointed Fire Chief in 2008 and continues to lead the department today.
In recent decades, the Broussard Fire Department has made significant strides in equipment and training. It dedicated new engines in 2021 to honor fallen firefighters Rhian “Queb” Quebedeaux and Richard “Ricky” Vice, secured FEMA grants for safety equipment, and expanded training facilities. These improvements culminated in a major milestone in July 2024, when the department’s fire protection rating was elevated to Class 2 by the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana — one of the best scores achievable for a community its size.
From a handful of volunteers with a homemade fire engine to a modern department with multiple stations, staffed shifts, and a strong volunteer base, the Broussard Fire Department has served the community for more than eighty years. Its history reflects the resilience and dedication of the men and women who have worked to protect Broussard and ensure its safety through generations of change.