35 years later this Luling VFD firefighter is still giving back

Recognized for longstanding service

When Troy Gaubert started with the Luling Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), he was the newbie at a young 19 years old making his way into community service.

“The younger guys had to do the interior structure firefighting,” Gaubert said. “Our chief, Craig Petit, got me into it.”

This was 35 years ago, and both he and Petit are still with the department.

Even when he was little in school, Gaubert knew he wanted to be a professional firefighter, although he adds, “I just do it for free now.”

Gaubert said he got into firefighting “to help the community out and give back to the community that gives back to you.”

He received the department’s recognition for his longtime service at the department’s 2018 installation ceremony.

Gaubert’s day job is meat manager at the Winn-Dixie in Luling, but he is passionate about being a firefighter.

Now, it’s Gaubert’s turn at 53, who is training the rookies as captain of training this year and they’re the ones fighting the fires.

But the Luling resident has certainly fought his share of fires, chemical tank leaks and hazardous spills.

“Going in there, I was grateful to be with people who knew about it,” he said. “To this day, I’m not scared, but I respect it. Some of the past members who are gone told me, ‘You always respect the fire because the first day you don’t it will get you.’”

Now, he passes on this proven advice to the younger recruits.

Gaubert recalled his share of first-degree burns, but he also pointed out the equipment then wasn’t as good as it is now.

“The changes I’ve seen since I’ve joined is for the good,” he said. “The training and the equipment, and in the Luling department we have top-notch equipment. I could remember when I started we have four air packs for the whole department and now we have five packs per truck.”

This is important because it means if five firefighters are on the truck, they all have an air pack plus spare air bottles.

Gaubert said the training is another vital element to their success as a fire department, noting the training center behind the fire station on Paul Maillard Road that is used parishwide. He called it a “great asset.”

“The more you learn, the better you’ll be on the scene on calls,” he said.

The department could always use more recruits.

“The more the merrier, that’s the way I feel about it,” Gaubert said. “We do have a bunch that’s young and are learning.”

And he praises those with a few more years than himself with the department who have been instrumental in him staying with the Luling VFD for these many years.

“It feels great to be honest with you,” he said helping others learn about firefighting. “I always tease them about, ‘You have to take over when I retire,’ but I’ll probably be there until my last day I enjoy it that much … teaching and training the younger guys.”

Gaubert also called the guys “who have been forever there like me” the great asset of the department.

“If they’re telling you something to help you better yourself in the fire service … listen,” he added.

As for this firefighter, he revels over the last 35 years and adds, “I hopefully look forward to another 35.”

Gaubert’s reward for being a firefighter is “to see the people’s relief helping them out.”

Also at the department’s Jan. 13 annual installation ceremony, the 2018 administrative officers were named: President Dean Bergeron, Vice President Armond Bourque, Secretary David Burgbacher, Treasurer Richard Folse and Sergeant at Arms Raul Davila.

The Fire Line Officers were named: Chief Craig Petit, Assistant Chief Barry Minnich, Deputy Chief James Tassin and Training Chief Tony LeBouef,

Safety Officer Pat Beard, Training Captain Troy Gaubert, Captain Station 21 Alonzo Mitchell, Captain Station 22 Ryan Swan, Captain Station 23 Daniel Ward and Captain Station 24 Dean Bergeron.

In years of service, Gaubet was recognized along with Chief Petit, for 30 years of service; James Tassin, 30 years; Dean Bergeron and Shane King, 10 years; Anthony Zeller, 7 years; Kody Dufrene and Justin Donnaud, five years, Chaplin Earl Adams Jr., three years, and Junior Firefighters: Ryan Matis, Randy Thomassie, and Brandon Sardenga, and Firefighters Paigh Hills, Corey Arabi, Richard Borden, Dawn Landry and Heather Bennett, all for a year of service.