Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department
Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department has served the Rigolets community since 1956. In its earliest days, if a fire began in the Lake Catherine community, the department had to pump water from the surrounding bodies of water to extinguish the blaze. Many of the volunteers resided in the community that they served. The department was almost forgotten after Hurricane Katrina destroyed their station, but it has since been rebuilt and once again protects the surrounding areas from fire hazard and storms.
The building that now stands is dedicated to a local figure known as "Father Red." For nearly 30 years, Authur Ginart was the priest of Saint Nicholas of Myra Church, which was located in the Lake Catherine community not far from Fort Macomb. Before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, the volunteer fire department Chief Joe Perez requested that "Father Red" evacuate, but he refused. Joe was the last person to see the priest alive. "Father Red" is believed to have drowned during the storm, and his body was never recovered. The community still mourns his passing.
Site 3: Fort Petite Coquilles
(Location best viewed from the parking lot of Fort Pike). Exit firehouse, then veer right along service road to the fort parking lot. (Follow signs).
Distance: .5 miles
_______________________________________
"FEMA Rule Means La. Department Can't Rebuild." FireRescue1. http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-news/457476-fema-rule-means-la-department-cant-rebuild/.
"Priest Washed Away by Katrina Will Be Remembered by His Parishioners." The Times-Picayune. August 29, 2009. Accessed March 29, 2012. <http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2009/08/priest_washed_away_by_katrina.html>.
The building that now stands is dedicated to a local figure known as "Father Red." For nearly 30 years, Authur Ginart was the priest of Saint Nicholas of Myra Church, which was located in the Lake Catherine community not far from Fort Macomb. Before Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, the volunteer fire department Chief Joe Perez requested that "Father Red" evacuate, but he refused. Joe was the last person to see the priest alive. "Father Red" is believed to have drowned during the storm, and his body was never recovered. The community still mourns his passing.
Site 3: Fort Petite Coquilles
(Location best viewed from the parking lot of Fort Pike). Exit firehouse, then veer right along service road to the fort parking lot. (Follow signs).
Distance: .5 miles
_______________________________________
"FEMA Rule Means La. Department Can't Rebuild." FireRescue1. http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-news/457476-fema-rule-means-la-department-cant-rebuild/.
"Priest Washed Away by Katrina Will Be Remembered by His Parishioners." The Times-Picayune. August 29, 2009. Accessed March 29, 2012. <http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2009/08/priest_washed_away_by_katrina.html>.
Photos
