LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)–Robert Benoit, Lafayette’s fire chief for over three decades, is retiring after nearly 50 years of service in the fire department.

Benoit said it means to hang up his firefighter helmet for good.

“From the first day to where I’m at today, I never woke up where I said I didn’t want to come to work, it’s always been positive for me,” said Benoit.

Benoit began his career with the Lafayette Fire Department in 1979 at the age of 20 and quickly rose through the ranks to become fire chief. Under his leadership, the department expanded significantly, growing from 7 to 14 fire stations.

Benoit’s dream started at the age of 7 when he saw a picture of a firefighter and knew this was his calling. At 20, he joined the Lafayette Fire Department.

“As a young kid at 20 years old, back in 1979, I was excited,” said Benoit. “To walk into this fire station and hear the fire chief tell me that he was hiring me and so here I am 46 years later, I’m still excited, I’m still like a little kid, I’m living the same way I can, full of joy and happiness.”

He quickly rose through the ranks from captain to fire investigator and now the fire chief, leading the department through changes, including expansion.

“The fire department has doubled in size,” said Benoit. “When I first started, there were 7 fire stations, now you’ve got 14, the rank and file was a little bit different, the majority of the firefighters worked in fire suppression, which is the bulk of the organization.”

One of Benoit’s last duties as chief was to attend the Lafayette Parish Council’s budget hearing, which was held on Thursday.

“This is my last budget hearing as the fire chief 32 years later, so it feels good,” said Benoit. “I’m leaving knowing that the eight fire departments and the leaders in these agencies are in unison together, we’re working together as a team, and that’s going to continue.”

He offered a parting message to the Lafayette Fire Department and his supporters.

“I give them the support, I give them what they need to do the job, and they go out there and they do an outstanding job,” said Benoit. “So I want to thank them, and I want to thank my family and everybody else, my immediate circle, and my religious area as well, pastors and friends, and that’s why I say it’s a journey, I’m just thanking everybody for being a part of my life.”

Though Benoit is stepping down as Lafayette Fire Chief, he will begin a new role as Fire Liaison Supervisor for Acadian Ambulance on Monday.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

Latest news