The Minden Fire Department responded to 463 incidents during the 2026 fiscal year, provided assistance to neighboring fire departments, and conducted thousands of hours of training, according to an annual report presented to the Minden City Council on Monday, November 2.
Fire Chief Brian Williams submitted the report, which covers November 2025 through October 2026 and provides an overview of emergency responses, training, fire prevention efforts, and other departmental activities.
Of the 463 incidents, 100 involved public service calls, making them the department’s most frequent response category. Firefighters also responded to 70 false alarms, 66 fire alarms, 65 miscellaneous fires, 53 grass fires, and 53 rescue incidents.
In addition to responding to emergencies within Minden, the department provided mutual aid to neighboring communities on 93 occasions during the fiscal year.
Training remained a significant part of departmental operations. The department’s 16 paid firefighters completed a combined 4,832 hours of training, while 12 volunteer firefighters accumulated an additional 454 hours, bringing the department’s total to 5,286 training hours.
Williams emphasized the importance of volunteer firefighters in maintaining emergency services for the community.
“The dedication and commitment of our volunteer firefighters remain essential to the department’s ability to provide fire protection and emergency services to our community,” Williams stated in the report. “Their willingness to serve, respond, and continually develop their skills is vital to fulfilling our mission.”
Fire prevention education was another major focus, with department personnel participating in 11 educational activities reaching approximately 2,490 children and students.
The department’s work extended beyond traditional firefighting duties including fighting a fire on Lake Bistineau from a boat, assisting a citizen at Turner’s Pond, and providing vehicle extrication instruction to firefighter recruits from Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College.
Looking ahead, Williams reported that the department has completed its Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) fire insurance rating evaluation and is awaiting the results. The rating is used in assessing fire protection capabilities and can affect property insurance costs.
The department is also awaiting delivery of a new fire engine, which is expected to arrive in mid-2027.
Williams closed his report by thanking Mayor Nick Cox and the Minden City Council for their continued support of the department and its public safety operations.
“Your ongoing commitment to public safety and the resources necessary to support our operations are invaluable to the department and the citizens we serve,” Williams stated.