By Paige Nash
Doug Salvaterra will be retiring from his position as Fire Chief of Arcadia Fire Department (AFD) upon taking a job as the new principal of Saline High School, effective Jan 1, 2024.
He presented his letter notifying the council. He said, “I intend to continue to serve them in any way I can, but my promotion within my civilian position for the Bienville Parish School Board has made it logistically impossible to manage the fire department in a manner that is consistent with my standards or with the effectiveness the citizens of Arcadia deserve.”
Under his recommendation and with the decrease in volunteer manpower and increased cost of operation, the Arcadia Town Council will have to decide whether to merge the AFD with the North Bienville Fire Department (NBFD).
Salvaterra recommended the town donate the vehicles that are paid for, sell the one they are currently making notes on or have the NBFD take up the notes if they choose to do so. This would free up well over $40K a year when you take into consideration the monthly notes, insurance and upkeep.
Salvaterra provided the council with a copy of a cooperative endeavor agreement between the Bossier Parish Fire Department No. 7 and the Town of Plain Dealing with similar circumstances.
“In order to cover the cost of fire protection, NBFD uses a millage which the Town of Arcadia has never voted for,” said Salvaterra. “The way those two parties dealt with that; they contacted the tax assessor to determine how much Plain dealing was going to pay in millage.”
If the Town of Arcadia voted to consolidate the two departments, they would pay roughly $17K a year until they get a millage put before the voters and passed.
The council expressed their appreciation to Salvaterra for his service to the town and fire department for the last decade.
Salvaterra closed by saying, “Should the Mayor or the Town Council desire any input from me on the difficult decisions ahead, I assure you I will be willing to assist in any way I can. Though I will no longer hold the title of Fire Chief, I will always be an active member of the Arcadia community and family.”