About the district
St. Tammany Fire District No. 13, the Goodbee Fire Department, has protected the northern part of Ward 1 for 38 years.
History and service area
District 13 is an all-hazards response agency: fire protection, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and rescue. Its strategic plan states the mission plainly: to use all means possible to protect lives, property, and the environment, and to stabilize every incident.
The parish council created it on June 16, 1988, through Ordinance No. 88-949. Fire Protection District No. 2 had covered all of Ward 1. The ordinance split it in two, with District 2 keeping the southern portion and District 13 taking the north.
Today the district covers about 30 square miles of western St. Tammany Parish: everything north of Interstate 12, including I-12 itself, from Hwy 21 west to the parish line.
The department grew out of the Goodbee volunteer firefighters, and as late as 2014 it still went by the Goodbee Volunteer Fire Department. By 2012 it had a full-time chief and was building its third station, Station 133 on Hwy 1077. From 2016 the district hired civil-service Fire Equipment Operators, and today career crews work 24 hours on and 48 off, alongside part-time firefighters who often serve full-time with other departments.
Four stations are staffed by a full-time Fire Chief, three District Chiefs, a Training Officer, a Fire Prevention Officer, nine Captains, twenty Fire Equipment Operators, nine Firefighters, and administrative staff.
Crews train with neighboring departments at Fire District 4's training facility in Mandeville. District 13 has mutual aid agreements with Fire District 2 (Madisonville), Fire District 5 (Folsom), and the City of Covington, all of which border the district. Fire District 1's communications center in Lacombe dispatches District 13's calls.
Beyond the parish line, District 13 deploys with the St. Tammany Parish Emergency Response Team. Its crews and tenders have worked in DeQuincy after Hurricane Laura, in Shreveport after a winter storm broke the city's water system, and on Grand Isle after Hurricane Ida.
- Established
- 1988
- Stations
- 4
- Area covered
- About 30 sq mi
- PIAL fire rating
- Class 2
Moments in the district's history
From the founding ordinance to the latest promotions, as recorded by the department.
- 1988June 16
The parish council creates Fire Protection District No. 13 from the northern half of District 2 (Ordinance No. 88-949).
- 2010June 26
The new Station One, today’s Station 131 on Hwy 190, holds its grand opening. The district is rated Class 4 and still recruits volunteer firefighters.
- 2012March
Construction starts on a third station, north of Hwy 1077. The district now has a full-time chief.
- 2012November 3
Station 133 on Hwy 1077 holds its grand opening.
- 2014May
Voters renew the district’s 10-mill property tax with 74% approval.
- 2014November
The district joins the State Fire Marshal’s Operation Save-A-Life and starts installing free smoke alarms in residents’ homes.
- 2015May 21
District 13 crews join Districts 2, 4 and 5 and Covington Fire at a trench collapse on Pinnacle Parkway. The rescued worker makes a full recovery, and Paratech gives each department its Rescue Award.
- 2015July and August
Two new Pierce trucks arrive in Goodbee: Engine 132 in July and the Ladder 132 aerial platform in August.
- 2016At a glance
Three stations, about 40 part-time paid firefighters, five full-time Fire Equipment Operators, a full-time chief, and an administrative assistant. The district answered 652 calls in 2015.
- 2016March
In the March flood, crews evacuate an estimated 500 people and 50 pets, while one of the district’s own stations takes on water.
- 2016April
Naloxone goes on every District 13 truck.
- 2016August
When flooding hits Livingston Parish, District 13 crews help with water rescues in Springfield, Killian, Maurepas, and Livingston.
- 2018Strategic plan
A new strategic plan charts the move from a rural volunteer organization to a combination, mostly paid department. Its goals include a Class 3 fire rating, a fourth engine company, a Station 132 remodel, and plans for Station 134.
- 2018December 26
For the first time, Goodbee firefighters answer 1,000 calls in a single year.
- 2019January
Firefighters train on the district’s first LUCAS chest compression device, paid for by a $10,000 grant from Forest Manor and $7,200 raised by the Hero 2 A Hero foundation.
- 2019November
The Property Insurance Association of Louisiana spends several days re-grading the district, which had been rated Class 4. Its 2018 strategic plan aimed for Class 3. Today it holds Class 2.
- 2019December
A new Pierce fire truck goes into service with a traditional push-back ceremony.
- 2020August
On its first deployment with the St. Tammany Parish Emergency Response Team, the district sends crews and equipment to DeQuincy after Hurricane Laura.
- 2021February
District 13 joins the parish Emergency Response Team hauling water in Shreveport after a winter storm breaks the city’s water system. The same month, Operator Charlie Gruber and Firefighter Adam Hoffman finish the Mississippi Smoke Diver course.
- 2021March
Tender 133 is remounted on a new cab and chassis, built to carry its 3,000 gallons.
- 2021October
With the parish Emergency Response Team, District 13 sends a 3,000-gallon tender to Grand Isle to haul drinking water from Port Fourchon after Hurricane Ida.
- 2022December
A $24,864 donation from Forest Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center buys another LUCAS chest compression device.
- 2025May
Concrete is poured for Station 134 on Leeward Loop.
- 2026September
Charlie Gruber, by then Oklahoma Smoke Diver #92, is promoted to Fire Captain.
What we respond to
- Fire suppression
- Structure fires, vehicle fires, wildland and brush fires.
- Emergency medical services
- Medical emergencies, advanced life support, and patient care until transport.
- Hazardous materials
- Chemical spills, gas leaks, and other hazmat incidents.
- Rescue
- Vehicle extrication, water rescue, confined space, and technical rope rescue.
Board of commissioners
Meeting notices and minutesA five-member board governs the district and oversees its finances, operations, and administration. The Parish Council appoints four commissioners and the Parish President appoints one.
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Tony Devillier
Commissioner, term expires 2028
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Mark Cortez
Commissioner, term expires 2028