Minden fire chief reports February activity; council confirms promotions and hires

Fire Chief Brian Williams told the Minden City Council on March 2 that in February the Minden Fire Department responded to multiple incidents including structure fires, miscellaneous fires (some grass fires), public-service calls, rescues, false alarms and fire alarms. He reminded residents that the parish remains under a burn ban "until further notice." Chief Williams also reported that several full‑time personnel completed aerial certification and other staff and volunteers completed hazmat and rope‑rescue training; he said those training costs are being paid from an AFG grant the department received this year.

On personnel matters, the council approved multiple actions recommended by the fire chief: promotion of Andrew Miles to battalion chief and promotion of Tommy Hughes Jr. to the rank of fire captain, and confirmation of new full‑time hires David Hatcher and Alec Plunkett, all subject to passing required tests. The mayor congratulated those promoted and welcomed newly confirmed hires.

The transcript records votes as carried; during one promotion the mayor read "We have, 4, 4, and 1 abstains," indicating some abstentions were recorded on the dais and that the council completed roll‑call procedures during the meeting. The record does not provide a full, explicit roll call with names matched to individual votes.

Next steps: the fire department will continue personnel onboarding and training; Chief Williams will complete the P.I.L. questionnaire for the fire rating evaluation and expects an evaluation site visit in April or May per his remarks.