By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter 

LAPLACE – John Snyder Jr., a 27-year veteran with the LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department, took over his new position as their fire chief Jan. 31.

Snyder not only heads the LaPlace VFD but also acts as the Emergency Response and Security Coordinator at the Marathon Refinery in Garyville, so he knows a thing or two about burning the candle on both ends.

&#8220That alarm clock goes off in the morning just as soon as I get my head to the pillow, it seems. I just work a normal 90-100 hour week,” Snyder said jokingly.

 Regardless of his early mornings and subsequent late nights, Snyder is already looking to improve the VFD with new recruits.

&#8220Immediately we need to increase the number of volunteers,” Snyder said. &#8220Right now we have 14 total.”

Snyder says Hurricane Katrina has affected the VFD two-fold. First, the influx of people into the LaPlace area calls for an additional number of volunteers in the fire department which they are currently seeking. 

Secondly, the traffic found on the roadways in LaPlace due to the influx of people has added to the difficulty of getting volunteers to respond to calls in a timely matter because they get stuck in traffic more often since Katrina.

Snyder doesn’t have any control over the traffic congestion, but he is attempting to actively recruit more volunteers. 

The department is looking to do a huge recruiting and rookie school in an effort to secure more volunteers.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the VFD need only come to Station 1 on Hemlock Street any Monday night from 7:30 p.m. to about 9 or 10 p.m., according to Snyder. 

&#8220They fill out an application, we put them in rookie school for four months before they can start responding to calls,” Snyder said.  &#8220The educational process is a continuous program so they can avoid getting themselves or someone else hurt.”

For more information, call the LaPlace VFD at (985) 652-9445.